The speaker for our last forum was Ms. Leslie Tomlinson of The Junior League of the Shoals. Ms. Tomlinson gave us a history of the National Junior League as well as some history on the Junior League of the Shoals. She told us that in 1901, Marry Harriman, a 19-year-old debutante from New York City, formed a service group that would later become the first Junior League. And she also explained how in 1921, the Association of Junior Leagues of America was formed from the 30 active leagues across the nation. This group also later morphed into the Association of Junior Leagues International, it's current title.
On a local level, the Muscle Shoals District Service League was founded in 1934, and they went through the process of converting to a Junior League a few years ago. The service league was best known for their Apple Annie Day fundraiser, and they still participate with it. Not only does the Junior League participate in that, but they also take part in many other fundraisers and civic engagement activities. Ms. Tomlinson let us know that it also provides great networking and social opportunities, as it addresses the most critical needs of the community.
It was great having Ms. Tomlinson as a speaker, but currently we are not able to get involved with the Junior League because of the 24 year-old age limit. I understand that they do not want to have college students use the league just to get volunteer hours for another organization, but I believe that any help is a good help, and that it should not matter how old they are or what they are claiming the hours for. I also know that this is a prestigious group to be a part of, but some of their practices can come off as a bit pretentious, despite Ms. Tomlinson qualifying the group. Now, I don't want to put the Junior League in a bad light because someone may feel like they belong to that group. I however, do not think that it is a good fit for me, and especially not for my present needs.
Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween! =)
<3 Lesley <3
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Are You Running for Mayor?
Jackie Hendrix, chairman of the Shoals' Chamber of Commerce, was our last forum speaker. He is a local business owner, but also does a lot for the community. Mr. Hendrix basically informed us that our lives are networking opportunities and that we must do what we can to get our there and put things on our resumes. Now don't get me wrong, he was not telling us to volunteer just so it would look good, but he did say that it is OK to have some selfish drives for motivation. The thing to remember and know is that promoting yourself is not the main reason you are volunteering. He also told us that when we do volunteer with an organization make sure that it is not in name only and that you actually do work. He told us about the 80/20% rule. Which is when 20% of people do 80% of the work. Unfortunately, this holds true for many situations and leaves people burnt out and feeling unappreciated. So we should all pitch in and do our parts if we sign up do volunteer.
Beyond the fact that it's OK to be a little selfish when volunteering, Mr. Hendrix also told us to beware of spreading ourselves too thin. The example he used for this was "Peter's Principle." Basically this principle is the promotion of someone beyond his/her level of competence or up to the level of incompetence, so with this in mind, you can not perform optimally if you are spread too thin. Also just because someone is really good at organizing their own life does not mean that they can automatically organize big events and other large situations. So in the end, be a good citizen and get involved, but don't get so involved that you aren't really helping people at all!
P.S. A few tips to keep in mind about volunteering:
Lesley <3
Beyond the fact that it's OK to be a little selfish when volunteering, Mr. Hendrix also told us to beware of spreading ourselves too thin. The example he used for this was "Peter's Principle." Basically this principle is the promotion of someone beyond his/her level of competence or up to the level of incompetence, so with this in mind, you can not perform optimally if you are spread too thin. Also just because someone is really good at organizing their own life does not mean that they can automatically organize big events and other large situations. So in the end, be a good citizen and get involved, but don't get so involved that you aren't really helping people at all!
P.S. A few tips to keep in mind about volunteering:
- Socially, it's the responsible thing to do...
- Get involved and be able to network
- It's OK to look for win-win situations
- Ask questions to network and get to know people
- People like it when you remember their names...
Lesley <3
Sunday, October 14, 2012
"Orange is the new khaki... it matches everything"
Dr. John Lane, a periodontist, came to speak to us last week at forum. And like the others, he came to talk to us about civic responsibility or community service. Unlike the others, Dr. Lane doesn't work for a non-profit organization, but he does volunteer regularly and with many different organizations and events. He also encouraged us to volunteer and be a part of our communities. He also told us that civic responsibility dates back to ancient Rome whose citizens wanted to contribute to Roman society, so this is nothing new but it should also be continued.
Dr. Lane encouraged us to exercise our right to vote. This way, we can take part and be the change that we want to see by electing officials with similar beliefs. Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and is not utilized nearly enough. According to Dr. Lane's facts, only 25-40% of eligible voters show up to vote. Don't think that your vote doesn't count because it does and it is also our right and responsibility to help take care of this nation and it's needs.
Dr. Lane also encouraged us to volunteer. According to his statistics, approximately 20% of the population volunteers, and the age group that volunteers the most are 34-54 year old people. Graduates from college are also more likely to volunteer than non-graduates. These statistics are somewhat inspiring, but should be better. It is our right and duty as citizens to help those less fortunate than ourselves and take part in something bigger than ourselves. Dr. Lane helped us see that through his presentation for forum.
He also leads by example. He was not up there just spouting out a bunch of facts and not living up to his word. Dr. Lane volunteers and does what he can for his community and takes his rights and duties seriously. He is the president of the Tri-County Dental Society and he helped for the Emergency Dental Clinic where people without dental insurance can get dental services done for $10, so it is not completely free and people do not feel like they are taking a handout. He also volunteers with United Cerebral Palsy and volunteers with many of their fundraising events. Dr. Lane is a true role model and a genuinely good person. He has some high standards to live up to, but also a great person to aspire to be like.
<3 Lesley <3
P.S. My title is not totally random. Dr. Lane said that during his presentation, and I thought it was funny and wanted to incorporate it into my blog somehow... ;)
Dr. Lane encouraged us to exercise our right to vote. This way, we can take part and be the change that we want to see by electing officials with similar beliefs. Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and is not utilized nearly enough. According to Dr. Lane's facts, only 25-40% of eligible voters show up to vote. Don't think that your vote doesn't count because it does and it is also our right and responsibility to help take care of this nation and it's needs.
Dr. Lane also encouraged us to volunteer. According to his statistics, approximately 20% of the population volunteers, and the age group that volunteers the most are 34-54 year old people. Graduates from college are also more likely to volunteer than non-graduates. These statistics are somewhat inspiring, but should be better. It is our right and duty as citizens to help those less fortunate than ourselves and take part in something bigger than ourselves. Dr. Lane helped us see that through his presentation for forum.
He also leads by example. He was not up there just spouting out a bunch of facts and not living up to his word. Dr. Lane volunteers and does what he can for his community and takes his rights and duties seriously. He is the president of the Tri-County Dental Society and he helped for the Emergency Dental Clinic where people without dental insurance can get dental services done for $10, so it is not completely free and people do not feel like they are taking a handout. He also volunteers with United Cerebral Palsy and volunteers with many of their fundraising events. Dr. Lane is a true role model and a genuinely good person. He has some high standards to live up to, but also a great person to aspire to be like.
<3 Lesley <3
P.S. My title is not totally random. Dr. Lane said that during his presentation, and I thought it was funny and wanted to incorporate it into my blog somehow... ;)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Whether Rain or Shine...!
Despite the rain and a Civil Wars concert, the show must go on, and it did with Gina Mashburn as our forum speaker. She is the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and she started this tenure in March of this year. Currently, they have two programs set up in schools nearby: Sheffield and Red Bay. These programs are in addition to the community based program, where men and women, who are not students, dedicate their time to children in need of mentor.
Within the program, volunteers go through the application process with three references, a background check and sometimes a home visit, if it is deemed necessary, these precautions are important and help make sure that the children in Big Brothers Big Sisters are being treated fairly and receive the best attention possible. Bigs and littles are matched according to shared interests, so that the relationships won't be strained and that both the volunteer and the child can enjoy their time together. Ms. Mashburn gave a general description of the dynamic of BBBS here by telling us that there are mostly boys in the program. More specifically, the majority of mentees are black boys, while the majority of volunteers are white women. This discrepancy puts the need for more guys to volunteer, but that does not let the ladies of the hook because there are still girls out there without big sisters as well.
Ms. Mashburn was a great speaker and presented the program well; however, as it is, I feel that I would not personally have enough time to thoroughly dedicate to a little sister right now. I do hope, however, that some of my peers, especially the guys, took Ms. Mashburn seriously and decide to volunteer. This program can help so many children that might otherwise be neglected emotionally or even physically. Having the right person come into their lives could be just what these children need.
Best wishes,
=) Lesley!!!<3
Within the program, volunteers go through the application process with three references, a background check and sometimes a home visit, if it is deemed necessary, these precautions are important and help make sure that the children in Big Brothers Big Sisters are being treated fairly and receive the best attention possible. Bigs and littles are matched according to shared interests, so that the relationships won't be strained and that both the volunteer and the child can enjoy their time together. Ms. Mashburn gave a general description of the dynamic of BBBS here by telling us that there are mostly boys in the program. More specifically, the majority of mentees are black boys, while the majority of volunteers are white women. This discrepancy puts the need for more guys to volunteer, but that does not let the ladies of the hook because there are still girls out there without big sisters as well.
Ms. Mashburn was a great speaker and presented the program well; however, as it is, I feel that I would not personally have enough time to thoroughly dedicate to a little sister right now. I do hope, however, that some of my peers, especially the guys, took Ms. Mashburn seriously and decide to volunteer. This program can help so many children that might otherwise be neglected emotionally or even physically. Having the right person come into their lives could be just what these children need.
Best wishes,
=) Lesley!!!<3
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