Are you a volunteer?

[speedog]

Do you volunteer your time to any non-profit organizations?

I'm curious as to how many beyond members give up their personal time in volunteering for non-profit organizations. I know at can look at my extended family and most of them do not volunteer but my wife and I are very active volunteers.

Myself, I am a board member on COSPA (Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pool Association, I am the president of the Calgary HEAT Wrestling Society (Dinomites, Junior Dinos, Dinos and the UofC Varsity Dinos) and am quite heavily involved in the operation of most amateur wrestling tournaments in the city. My wife, she sits on the James Forler Music Prent's Association as well is a board member on the Grassroots Sakter's Foundation (non-profit that supp0rts the Alberta adult figure skating community) as well as being heavily involved in the amateur wrestling world as well.

So what are others doing with respect to volunteering for non-profit organizations - I say non-profit because going out to do something as a part of your company's 'look good' image is different IMO. TELUS does this and it is always more a a company rah-rah session by wanna be ladder climbers.

[C_Dave45]

I'm a coach with Special Olympics Calgary. Although I don't consider that a huge sacrifice as my son is also an athlete in 4 different sports with them. I go to all out-of-town tournaments as well. I get way more joy coaching these "kids" (mid-teens up to 60's) than I ever did coaching regular kids.

But I see so many that have no family affiliation whatsoever that dedicate their time to this organization. I see young coaches in their 20's and 30's, that are single and no kids, right up to people in their 60's and 70's that have dedicated 10, 20, 30 years of their time. I find THAT admirable.

And that has trickled down to my son who is a volunteer dressing room assistant with the Calgary Canucks Junior A hockey club. Which takes up about 6-10 hours per week as well as road trips.

[ExtraSlow]

I used to do the folk fest ever year, until they eliminated the position that I liked. I volunteer at my kids school fundraisers, and also the local community association events sometimes.

I tried to volunteer with the food bank, but their online volunteer application thingy was a hassle, and after I got all the way through it, it said someone would contact me to find some shifts, but nobody ever did. That kind of turned me off. :dunno:

I did a day with habitat for humanity once and it was a total clusterfuck. They spent more energy trying to stop me from working than from organizing the gaggle of idiots. Probably "worked" about 45 minutes in a nine hour day. I'll never help them again.

I would actually like to find a semi-regular volunteering gig with an organization that is well organized. I've got time.

That's one reason I like doing the charity casinos. I always feel like my time is well spent, and I know that the charity makes good cash.

If anyone needs a guy, shoot me a PM.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow

I would actually like to find a semi-regular volunteering gig with an organization that is well organized. I've got time.

Can't say enough about "Special Olympics" (https://www.specialolympicscalgary.ca/get-involved/volunteer.html). Extremely well organized and the rewards are amazing. After seeing what was required to put on the Provincial Winter games last year in Grande Prairie and how well organized it was, was utterly amazing.

They always need coaches. You don't have to be a certified coach...they just need bodies. Golf is always one that needs coaches. But there are 21 different sports: Programs (https://www.specialolympicscalgary.ca/sports-programs.html)

Each sport only requires one day a week, about 2-3 hours per session. Can be weeknights or Weekend sports. Summer or Winter.

I do floor hockey (ringette type actually) which coincides with the regular hockey season. (Sept to March). Wednesday nights, 7:00 - 8:30.

[btimbit]

Not really at the moment, but as my kid gets older I'll volunteer with school and sports more. I used to do lots of cancer fundraisers and stuff like that but haven't in a few years

[Seth1968]

I've never volunteered assistance for any sort of organization, but the thread has got me thinking that I probably should, but probably wont.

With that said, I've volunteered for just about every endevour that my kids school had requested. That includes every lame and boring 'Christmas Concert". FFS, I even clapped:)

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by btimbit
Not really at the moment, but as my kid gets older I'll volunteer with school and sports more. I used to do lots of cancer fundraisers and stuff like that but haven't in a few years

The proverbial cancer run / scam.

Funded by pharmaceutical companies that generally provide false hope.

[bigbadboss101]

- Went to Guatemala with a team to help drill a water well several years ago. Living Water International.

- Went to Honduras to build a couple shacks for families to live in.

- Volunteering with Calgary Seniors to take an older lady to groceries, and keep in touch with her.

- On various occasions help at the Food Bank to sort food, Mustard Seeds to serve meals, and Drop In center.

- Spending time as a volunteer to with a refudgee family of 7. Help with English, go to picnic, zoo with them, etc.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Seth1968


The proverbial cancer run / scam.

Funded by pharmaceutical companies that generally provide false hope.
You need a new avatar.
http://www.idioms4you.com/img/angif-get-on-your-soapbox.gif

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by C_Dave45

You need a new avatar.
http://www.idioms4you.com/img/angif-get-on-your-soapbox.gif

I'm not sure of the point you're trying to make.

Please enlightenment me.

[tirebob]

I volunteer on the Environmental Advisory Board to the city council of Aidrie. I was previously active in other things as well for now just the EAB...

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by tirebob
I volunteer on the Environmental Advisory Board to the city council of Aidrie.

Do you think your opinion has any merit on a city level, let alone provincial and federal?

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by Seth1968


Do you think your opinion has any merit on a city level, let alone provincial and federal?


Man, just give it a rest would you??...:rolleyes:

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Seth1968


I'm not sure of the point you're trying to make.

Please enlightenment me.

I thought rx7boi summed it up quite nicely.


Originally posted by rx7boi

PS: Seth.... You love joining threads going off on a tangent under the guise of "looking at the bigger picture." Fact is, you just love listening to yourself talk or that you know something no one else does.

Someone makes a nice thread about volunteering, someone else mentions what they've done as a volunteer, and you have to jump in and shit all over it, getting on your soapbox telling us "how it really is".

[speedog]

Originally posted by Seth1968


Do you think your opinion has any merit on a city level, let alone provincial and federal?

I do not believe there's an answer that blitz could provide that change your opinion. People volunteer or are involved in committees/associations/boards because they have an active interest in what that group is trying to achieve, I have never known anyone that volunteers their time unwillingly. Even in most school/club fundraisers there is usually a "pay it out" sort of alternative for hose that can't do the flu teeming or just won't.

In the past, I've volunteered at the DI, for a union when I was in a organize workplace, at Race City many many years ago, a number of years as our community's ODR guy and there's other instances I've just plain forgotten about. Very instance was something I did willingly and the reward was I seeing someone else or something benefitting from it.

I've seen disadvantaged kids that have been afforded the ability to be involved in an organized sport who have moved on to being athletes that compete on the world stage. The outdoor pools were saved a number of years ago by a volunteer driven letter writing campaign, pretty much anyone has benefitted from volunteers even though they, themselves, have not or never will do the same.

[msommers]

Volunteer with Boys and Girls club, helping two elementary kids with English and homework. They're on either end of the spectrum: one is very engaged and listens while the other is constantly distracted, doesn't listen and appears to not care. It's been a very interesting contrast and enjoying both.

After being around children now for awhile, my respect for parents' tolerance has gone up 100x lol.

[iron_man888]

I've been a coach for Special Olympics Powerlifting for the past 4 years. Awesome experience working with some really dedicated athletes.

Like Dave mentioned, Special O is an amazingly well-run organization. With the amount of programs they run and all the coordination with coaches and athletes; that in itself is a logistical feat.

[haggis88]

Used to volunteer with Sunrise Community Link, delivering and collecting donations, but my unreliable schedule put a stop to that

Back home, I volunteer with the local hospital radio, commentating on soccer games for patients and the visually impaired fans who have direct headphones into our studio...i'll be going back to doing this when I move home...my dad has been doing it for the best part of 35 years

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


I thought rx7boi summed it up quite nicely.



Someone makes a nice thread about volunteering, someone else mentions what they've done as a volunteer, and you have to jump in and shit all over it, getting on your soapbox telling us "how it really is".

Ok. Thanks for that.

It seems I need to rethink on the matter.

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by EK 2.0



Man, just give it a rest would you??

No.

[max_boost]

I have never volunteered in my life.

[JRSC00LUDE]

I don't "volunteer" anywhere but I am part of a group that raises a significant amount of money each year and donates it to several charities or individuals as we see fit.

I find this more satisfying, we have a shit ton of fun at our events and decide as a group who gets the proceeds. We typically choose organizations or individuals who fall through the cracks of professional charities or who don't qualify for traditional assistance and are in difficult times.

[max_boost]

I would volunteer if it made my Instagram pop and kept me trending. :rofl: :devil: :rofl:

[blairtruck]

community service count?

[speedog]

Originally posted by blairtruck
community service count?

Court ordered?

[blairtruck]

obviously

[speedog]

Court ordered community service, I would think the person ordered probably isn't the type that would normally and freely give of their time for some sort of non-profit. Now I could be wrong here but...

[Sugarphreak]

...

[speedog]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Does dedicating hundreds of hours to helping create content for a local forum count?

Well, is it to the benefit or detriment of others?

It is a very precarious balancing point upon which you stand, eh.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[msommers]

Assist teaching driving courses? Organizing off-road trips?

[Sugarphreak]

...

[max_boost]

Haven't seen any volunteer pics since the floods from 2014

[Sentry]

I do music scene stuff mostly. This year I booked a week off work to volunteer at Sled Island and go see tons of shows.

[flipstah]

I volunteer for Club Vee Dub, which is a non profit organization. Any proceeds we have at the end of the season are donated to charities.

I also volunteer for recreation sport clubs.

[speedog]

I would consider who ever coordinates the Wild Wednesday car meets in the same vein. Think of it this way, would the activity/cause you're volunteering for exist if it was expected to make a profit.

The Calgary HEAT Wrestling Society that I sit on would never make a profit, the cost of equipment, coaching costs, facilities, sending athletes to tournaments and camps eats every dollar we acquire. Even the monies well realize from the recent National Juvenile/Cadet championships we hosted will be rolled right back into the local amateur wrestling scene.

There just are not any avenues out there that can afford our organization to be a for profit organization and it is through volunteers and their time lent to us that we are able to do what we do, manpower is the one great expense many non-profits eliminate through volunteers.

The years I spent being the ice guy on our community's outdoor rink were vastly appreciated by those that enjoyed that ice. No volunteers would mean no ice as the cost of paying someone to be the ice guy is an additional expense that many community associations just can not afford.

Car shows, rallies, etc may be viewed by some in a different vein than what I've detailed above but they most likely would not occur if it wasn't for dedicated volunteers. The Northwest Cruise Calendar, a great publication of so many western Canada and NW USA car shows and all done by volunteers - it's something they're passionate about and that they're willing to volunteer their time for to hopefully see it succeed.

[drtoohotty1]

I have been with the CAHS for about 5 years now http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg230/drtoohotty/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160602_215622_zpsyn0ijrvp.jpg[/URL]

[wintonyk]

Last year I volunteer instructed snowboarding with CADS (Canadian Association of Disabled skiing). Had to take a year off because of torn acl, but will be back next year. Amazing organization and incredibly fulfilling volunteer work.

[Masked Bandit]

I either do or have coached fastpitch, baseball, hockey & basketball. My wife worked with Girl Guides for several years as well and noticed something pretty early on, it's always the same families that are willing to pitch in and help, and always the same families willing to step back, sit on their hands and let everyone else do all the work. Don't be that family.

[sputnik]

Originally posted by max_boost
I have never volunteered in my life.

That's not what your parents told the CRA.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[max_boost]

Damn. Savage. I like it.

[austic]

I am the president of the Petroleum Accountants Society of Canada which takes up most my volunteer time. I also have done some misc volunteering for CPA Calgary and the food bank.

[C_Dave45]

Just thought I'd bump this thread....

In case anyone is looking to volunteer for a worthwhile cause, Special Olympics Calgary is looking for floor hockey (ringette style) referees at the Don Hartman Sportsplex (http://www.nesportsplex.com/) on Wednesday nights between 6:30-8:30 a couple times a month.
Strictly a volunteer position, and they will provide training. These are special needs kids/adults so it's not fast paced or intense at all. They basically just need bodies.

There's also never any "Hey ref, open your eyes" going on. You might see a player stop to help up his opponent and give him a hug in mid play though. :rofl:

If you want a great way to great way to cheer yourself up, give Special Olympics Calgary a call or email: https://www.specialolympicscalgary.ca/
email: [email protected]

[JRSC00LUDE]

To add to Dave, if you are looking that is a great place to go. If you've never been exposed to Special O athletes you're missing out. These guys/girls can change the way you see your own life.

I had an opportunity to listen to 3 different Special O athletes speak as to how being a part of that organization entirely changed their lives just a month ago. These people are amazing.

[HiTempguy1]

I've volunteered with a variety of racing organizations for the past 14 years.

Not exactly an altruistic endeavour, but considering what we do, the amount of time/passion people put into it (for zero pay) so we can go play in the woods needs to be repaid, so I help as much as I can.

I've been president and treasurer of a non-profit, great experience and you do get to meet and deal with all sorts. My Beyond debate skillz have proved useful in the real world :p

[403ep3]

I volunteer as a committee member for a organization that takes donations/clothing and gives to the people in need