By Rebecca Washington-Lindsey
We all know that those who work in government positions, business owners, educators, surfers, or work from 9 to 5 p.m. might quickly assert, “I don’t have time to volunteer in my community. My only free time is mine, and I’m not giving it away.”
We all have time, and what we choose to do with it can be fruitful or unfruitful.
I’d like to explain how giving a small portion of your time volunteering can go from being unfruitful to bearing fruit.
You’re in the doctor’s office, your pulse is taken, and the doctor says, “Wow, your pulse is high. What’s going on in your world?” At that point, you pour out your routine. “I don’t understand, doctor. Every morning, I have two healthy cups of latte and a hearty bagel egg sandwich, and then I settle back with my local newspaper and watch my favorite game show. Was that time fruitful? In my career as an administrator, my pulse was high too. From the time I entered the building to the end of my workday, I had challenges that needed attention, and you couldn’t offer me any incentives, not even a Starbucks gift card to be a volunteer. I had no time to volunteer. It was not on my agenda. But maybe it should have been. Sometime later, I found a solution to my high pulse: create a student-to-student volunteer program, including teachers. That move resulted in decreased student problems, improved student attendance, and a boost in teacher morale. Volunteering to help other students was rewarding, and teachers felt more valued. Each got their minds off “self” and on to “being fruitful Samaritans.” Volunteerism yields big dividends. What financial advisor would not recommend that?
Volunteering improves your mental acuity, builds a stronger community, lifts others, builds confidence and brings about a notable change. By now, you might be saying, “But I am a political leader. There is no time for volunteering. I have late meetings, chamber challenges, disgruntled community members to respond to, and all I have time for is a quick hamburger and fries.
Hold on. Let’s see how City Manager Mr. Kiff exchanged his political shoes for volunteer shoes (sneakers).
Last Friday, Kiff became a part of the Laguna Food Pantry family. Pantry Board Member and Vice Volunteer Chair Lesli Henderson radiantly and sincerely smiled, offered him a friendly handshake and cheerfully remarked, “Welcome, we are so glad you’re here.” She was serious, as Lesli is often at her computer checking the volunteer schedule early in the morning. That morning, she explained what his assignment was. Kiff picked up his volunteer badge, put on a radiant smile and away he went to serve. He left behind his political responsibilities and made a sound commitment to be fruitful in another way, reaching out to others who are not in his network and choosing to help those who are food-deficient. Wow! That is empowering. Unknowingly, his political load was lightened for a while. I was moved with gladness upon meeting him.
Warren Buffett contends in “Wall Street 24/7” that “Volunteering your time, skills, or resources to a cause you believe in can provide a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment. This fulfillment extends beyond your work, too, which will end at your retirement. Volunteering for a charitable organization also helps you connect with a like-minded community, potentially allowing you to form new relationships.”
Volunteering recalibrates, heals, cures, builds bridges, improves, and extends life. I know your doctor would highly recommend volunteering. Now is your time to volunteer. Others depend on it. It’s not about what Mr. Kiff promised to do while in office, but, moreover, what we saw him doing outside of his office that matters.
Rebecca is a Laguna Beach resident and former adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
