Although community service may not be a legal responsibility or requirement; any high school guidance office staff member, college or graduate school admissions’ director, recruiting specialist, and/or hiring manager would probably agree that volunteerism is currently being viewed as a healthy ingredient for every individual to maintain in his or her regular personal and professional diet.
Engaging in ongoing service projects and activities designed to allow someone to offer free, unpaid, no-fine-print, no-strings-attached, old-fashioned help to one or more other people who may benefit from the help; is a “win-win” formula for everyone involved – both the givers and the receivers are renewed, rejuvenated, replenished, and re-focused.
Unfortunately, pure and legitimate service will still sometimes cause raised eyebrows followed by the question: how much is this gonna cost?
For people who, along with a purposed determination, dare to believe that our experiences, expertise, education, and everything we’re passionate about can be used to extend lifelines to help others (sharonmariabiggs, 2009); community service, volunteerism, philanthropy, and service learning are among the basic needs that have to be satisfied in order to truly live.
Community Service is not a new concept; it has been around since the beginning of time in all walks and areas of life, all across the globe.
Yet, it seems as if somewhere down the line real or imaginary strings were attached to authentic good deeds that were done just because they needed to be done. The strings turned into ropes, choking the very life out of some individual’s passion, will, desire, and belief in the power of serving.
But, just like not many days can pass before humans need the fulfillment of the other basic needs: food, shelter, and water -- an increasing number of people are fulfilling their need to provide varying kinds of community service to different individuals or groups.
Fortunately for our world, with so many people so very much in need of extended lifelines, community servants are now continuing to share their talents, time, resources, goods, and services AT NO COST BUT AT ALL GAIN.
So, if you’re stumbling to figure out just what kind of service activity your personality or position will match; take a moment to look at the links below to see if you can come up with a few ideas.
Then, just dive in and start serving if you believe it’s your time to do so.
Chances are someone or “someones” have already lined up to immediately grab hold of the lifelines you’re about to extend to help them…don’t miss your turn…
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Educational Leader
***LifelineExtensions.blog is a community service extended and intended to help others***
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/volunteer.html#
http://www.rootsandshoots.org/?gclid=CI6Yo9yK65sCFRBM5Qodc2Ct6g
http://www.grdodge.org/aboutus/geraldine.htm
http://www.learnandserve.gov/about/lsa/index.asp
http://www.eirc.org/event/NJASECD-Leading-the-Future/58.html
http://www.familieswithpurpose.com/familygiving.html
http://www.epa.gov/teachers/community-svc-projects.htm
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