Taking Action
I was talking with a friend the other day about participation in community events and volunteer activities. She was frustrated with what appears to be apathy among her peers, and we got into an animated discussion about who gives of themselves in a community and why. She was concerned with the barriers that keep people from engaging, from time constraints to not knowing how to get involved. And although these are the tangible barriers for many of us, I believe there is a deeper issue at play. There is a moment when people choose to prioritize someone or something beyond their own inner circle. There is a moment when people choose to move from thoughtfulness to action.
For me, volunteering came early in life as I watched my parents active in our community, and in my 20’s I continued this exploration with one-off volunteer experiences: packing rice at a foodbank, painting murals in a low-income nursery, pulling invasive plants from a hiking trail. This was great exposure to the needs of the community, but after some time I realized that to make this a sustaining practice in my life, I needed to focus my intention. What transformation did I want to see in my community, and how could I begin to move that needle?
The ensuing reflection led me to a mentoring program where I was paired with a 4th grade girl who was reserved in class and eager for one-on-one attention from teachers who didn’t have the time to provide it. We would get together once a week for an hour, and as we sat in the hallway playing games or reading books, I would learn about her life and her dreams for the future. At the end of 5th grade she told me she would like to be a pediatrician because she wanted to help little kids be healthy. I just came across a picture from that time. We are sticking our tongues out, cross-eyed, trying not to lose the pose through our laughter. She is leaning into me, and I remember that she was shy at first, not smiling for the camera at all. I spent five years coming to her school every week and was the only person that showed up for her at her 8th grade graduation. This relationship was, and continues to be, powerful for me. I believe it was for her too. When I reconnected with her recently she was getting ready for her high school prom and told me that her plan was to finish up the credits she needed to get into a nursing program.
Through our time together I became reacquainted with the little girl I used to be and she was able to express the possibilities of her life. In my decision to focus my intention, and because of my belief that a healthy community starts with one young woman, I began the process of transformation, one relationship at a time. The tangible barriers to participation disappeared as I connected with my deep desire for a better world.
We get turned on by something; we become interested in an issue or feel we have something to add to the conversation. And in this moment, we have a choice to step outside of our comfort zone and become a citizen, engaged with our community and actively contributing to the well being of that community. The importance of our individual engagement cannot be overestimated. What took you out of yourself and started the conversation for you? And if it hasn’t yet happened, what would?
8 comments
M Mary November 3, 2008
I am constantly amazed at how a seemingly small commitment can have such a massive impact. Some people have money to give. Other people can only offer their time or their talents. All are necessary.
During the times I have stepped beyond myself, I ended up being the recipient. Instead of touching peoples’ lives, I am the one that is blessed and often humbled!
Thank you, Kristin. Perhaps this will bring people out of contemplation and into action. C’mon people, it does not take much!
I Ian November 3, 2008
Hello,
I loved reading this feature…it hits on a point that is very close to my heart: To really change a community, we all need to be invested in that community in one way or another.
We have to be willing to put aside our assumptions, our prejudices, our opinions and be willing to work for the common good.
We have to have a higher aim than self-satisfaction, self-success, or self-aggrandizement. Other people and the community must become more important to us than ourselves.
So I ask another question…how are we do this? How do we over come the plague of selfishness and exchange it for a humility and love?
T Thorax O'Tool November 3, 2008
Truly, you have more patience than I.
A Ann November 3, 2008
Kristen—
While I enjoyed your piece, and for the most part I agree with you, I have to say Tacoma is an incredibly hard community to get involved in. Every other place I have lived a simple two second internet search would return hundreds of volunteer opportunities…here, a lot more hunting is required. I would have to say that on that aspect, I agree with your friend…a lot of us want to be involved, we just need more info.
A Ann November 4, 2008
Kristen –
I have to say I loved your piece too, and agree with all of it. Tacoma isn’t a hard community to get involved with. Start a conversation with someone in a coffee shop, ask at your place of worship, check with the school in your neighborhood, or hey, look at what’s being discussed on Exit 133. All should be great leads to a volunteer opportunity.
Also, Ann @5: One of us needs to change our screen name. Sounds like you might be new to town. I’d love to show you around.
F Friend of friends of the 1st Con November 4, 2008
“What took you out of yourself and started the conversation for you”
Good question. For me it was walking into a music event a few decades ago and finding a new community (different and outside of my comfort zone), plus discovering they had a need for volunteer work. That led to many new experiences, skills, and lasting friendships that are still evolving today. A person in that group led me to volunteering for a political campaign for someone who is on the ballot for most of you today. That led to volunteering at the zoo, and many other twists, turns, and coincidences along the way. Each time you give, you get so much more in return. Tacoma is such a small city, and it’s easy to find many, many things in which to get involved. Start with what you like to spend you time doing, or what gives you the most reward – There’s nothing wrong with that. Some things sound more nobler than others, but it all needs to get done and it all helps the world become a better place. That’s all I can think and type at this late hour, but in closong, I always hear arguements about if this or that generation gives, or is too selfish… I think each generation has the desire to give. Perhaps there is no altruism, but that doesn’t need to stop you. This is damn good conversation, by the way.
J John Sherman November 4, 2008
A number of people like to give or have other people give for their causes for somebody else as the beneficiary, so for all the people that have these noble causes and Tacoma Citizens benefit results as desirable objectives; as a result, I would suggest you visit the City of Tacoma web-site and review all proposed future money expenditures, current expenses, and self-assessment documents about Tacoma finance and budgets today and future plan. Informative reading about budgets and money, and confirm City of Tacoma is spending money where you believe it should be spent for your contributing collective benefit cause, else ask the question: What is the City doing that you as a volunteer must otherwise volunteer your time, effort, and money because the City of Tacoma just doesn’t have the same priorities today or tomorrow?
See http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?nid=427
City of Tacoma: Budget and Research Division.
R Roxanne Murphy November 4, 2008
I personally got involved in volunteering because love this city so, and I believe that every section of it has such great potential.
My current and initial focus is working to improve Tacoma’s Eastside and I’ve been involved through the Eastside Neighborhood Council, the McKinley Business District, then I helped start Love Tacoma, and I try to get to the DomeTop Neighborhood Alliance meetings when I can.
I’m in no way listing these organizations to bolster any sort of image of myself. What I’m hoping to show, and what I often tell people, is that so many organizations throughout our city are very open to and truly in need of your involvement.
As for your friend who feels frustrated by not knowing how to get involved, one resource that I frequently let people know about is United Way’s 2-1-1 call center. They offer referrals to all kinds of volunteer activities throughout the city and the county.
But then again, as you so eloquently pointed out, Kristen, when you’re getting started in volunteering, it really helps when that volunteer activity matches what you’re passionate about so that activity can remain as rewarding as possible. Thus, the quest to connect people with organizations needs to start with the individual defining what they’re interested in doing because the volunteer opportunities are truly endless.
I really wish I could’ve been with you two for that conversation because I love helping people connect with organizations or individuals to get involved in Tacoma.
Hmmmm, maybe a Web site on this topic would be helpful. I’ll put some thought toward that.
Finally, I, like so many of you, believe that some of the most important change for this community does indeed happen at the grassroots level. That’s why your current and future volunteer efforts are so darn important.