Midori wrote a post yesterday morning that made me do something... She's evil that way. ;^ )
In Midori's post, she was talking specifically about schools and teachers and being involved in our communities. You should read it if you haven't already.
The Ultimate Pay It Forward, Teachers Thinking About Our Future
For those of you that don't know, my father was a teacher for many years. He taught Junior high School, High School, Middle School and College at various times. The subjects were mostly math and the sciences, especially earth sciences, geology, paleontology and paleogeology. He loved teaching. Even when he wasn't a teacher, he often found himself in classrooms teaching. He volunteered to help teachers cover subjects that he had an expertise in, where they needed more strength.
And I can testify that he was never "off." Family vacations were learning experiences... and history was one of his loves. It wasn't about money... it was about passion. I followed him around museums where he seemed to gather a crowd sometimes as he explained to me how prehistoric animals interacted, the challenges historical figures faced or the importance of some event or person. He loved it.
Back from the tangent...
Midori mentioned that she volunteered so much the school offered her a job. And that struck in me. Junior Achievement has been running ads looking for volunteers here in Georgia. I would bet that those ads are running elsewhere as well... even if they aren't I would bet that the need is there. I had been listening to those ads for a few weeks... And I had been meaning to log into the website and volunteer. Been meaning to... how many times have you "been meaning to"?
I'm not "been meaning to" anymore. Yesterday, after commenting on Midori's post, I went to the JA of Georgia website... in the same window. I signed up to volunteer after looking over some of the opportunities. A short while later, I got an email thanking me and asking what I would be willing to do. During the last paragraph, I got a reply with my new JA contact person. In another tab, right now, I am joining their FaceBook page. As soon as I am done with the post, I will be emailing the person that manages volunteer opportunities in Gwinnett County.
We are something special!
Many of us have small businesses. We are the gas in the engine of capitalism. We make the bulk of the jobs. We make the bulk of the income. We pay the bulk of the taxes. We are also the parents. We are also the community leaders. And WE have the opportunity and responsibility to instill these values in the next generation.
So, Midori reminded me that I needed to "do something"... and more importantly, I needed to stop "been meaning to" do something. I'll learn some things, too...
Final thought...
There are 135,798 members of A|R at this particular moment. About 20% are active enough that we actually blog and interact here. That is 27,160 real estate agents, mortgage professionals, inspectors, stagers and others. Generally, as connected and blogging real estate professionals we are influential, connected and good communicators.
Whether it is JA or some other group. Imagine the impact that we, as Active|Rain members, could have. Imagine the impact that we could have if the NAR or the NAMB or the NAHB got behind this.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
Great post and a good read. My wife is involved in the school system here. I wish I had the time to volunteer
Lane,
I think many of us have our volunteer "passion". My passion is bargain shopping and taking the food/personal items to our homeless shelter. I get the "pleasure" of knowing that I've put a meal in someone's tummy, and yet, not breaking my families budget. If we ALL just do a little something.....
Kathy Opatka Re/Max OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND
Love your enthusiasm..keep it up and be persistent.
Thanks for sharing and keep it up
Lane-to me there is nothing to value more than today's youth...today's youth may or may not become tomorrow's leaders and JA is a wonderful organization..just as I said in my comment it reminds me of high school. I believe every one of us on this planet has something to offer...it may not be your money...but definitely...knowledge and skills...knowledge and skills useful for our future leaders.
I had to laugh when I saw the title...you know me...I'm no fighter...but a lover...a lover of people...of good things..and I love the fact...you had such an impact..from reading one of my posts.
I will never spend my life with woulda shoulda coulda...and I will give back to the community who have always been so good to me. I find it heartwarming that we the people can do so much but the words...meaning to do...even with good intentions really are just words! I'm happy you were inspired..and I do believe that big organizations have so much to offer.
As professionals...we have skills we have knowledge but the biggest thing I find in many REALTORS...is that those that walk away from meaning to do.... to doing...have the biggest hearts at all! But imagine the impact if we all stopped saying meaning to do...or didn't look the other way when someone needed some help! We as a society must look out for one another...otherwise the word government...gets involved!
You put a huge smile on my face!
You rock Lane..and yes I still luv ya! :)
Lane~No matter what your passion is or where you choose to volunteer you will never regret it. The satifaction of helping others is infinately more satifying than money
Excellent post, Lane. Just think what a difference we could make if we could get the 30K+/- active members of AR to become active in their respective communities.
Lane - terrific post, I will be checking out that page to see the opportunities here in the Athens area.
My wife and I have volunteered for years at our kids schools. It has become such a habit that we will keep doing it once they are grown up.
We all have an area of expertise and we should give back to the community. Find your passion and you will find time to give.
Lane:
Well said! I like to think I am doing that by serving on the Board for Midtown Neighbors' Association. I'm constantly talking to residents about safety, zoning, etc and educating them on whey they should need to be involved in their community.
And we do our part with safety initatives....I'm getting a plan together now to distribute some 5,000 flyers to residents in Midtown about car break-in's.
But I have "been meaning to" get my accounting and Top Producer up-to-date...and have to get that done next week!
Charlie - You can do it...
Kathy - Good for you. I hate shopping.
FSS - Thanks.
Tal - Join me.
Midori - Thanks.
Hugh - I know that it is. This is a new way to give... but not a new idea for me.
Jesse - Join me?
Mike - Keep me updated.
Kevin - That is great. I knew a few people like that when I was a kid.
Terry - Absolutely.
Thom - That is a great start. ;^ )