Halloween 2018 became a nightmarish, blood-curdling horror story—a story I have yet to share publicly. And I won’t share all of it publicly. But I will… Read more “The Halloween Nightmare I’ll Now Share”
Category: Volunteerism
A Personal Report: Coastal Cleanup Day
At a time when our 24 hour news cycle broadcasts little joy, the enthusiasm of the volunteers who came to do nothing but pick up other people’s trash and garbage, shed a certain kind of light to blot out all the negative headlines of the day. At our locale, most volunteers were locals— some partnered with a friend or family, and some represented local groups. Visitors from Livermore and San Jose, (both cities about 200 miles north of San Simeon) also joined in the effort to keep our wastes from slipping into the Pacific Ocean.
She Volunteers for Community Fitness and Health
After Grau busted through the glass ceiling at the LA Times, rising from classified sales to outside sales and then into management, she left the weight of her career behind in retirement. Not one to atrophy in retirement, Grau embraced weight training. And it shows. This 76-year-old woman is fit and has those kind of arms that flatter sleeveless shirts.
Your Business & Nonprofits
Managing charitable donations and business can get tricky. One can’t stay in business if one is much too generous. Business owners learn that there such things as phony causes that are enough to harden even the softest hearts.
Help Sullie Save the Seas
The first California coast cleanup began in the mid-1970s, when an Arcata recycler operated beach cleanups in search of recyclables. Oregon, however, was the first state to organize a state-wide volunteer beach cleanup in 1984, called the “Plague of Plastics.”
The Executive Director & Nonprofits
It is my personal opinion that the need for nonprofit professionals may grow as we watch our government cut more funding from nonprofit agencies. While the board will remain in charge, a professional executive director can take the helm of bringing in and following through achieving funds through grants, membership drives and fundraising team management.
Volunteer Burnout!
How do we, as volunteers, recognize burnout in ourselves and others? The symptoms include being tired, stressed, resentful and cranky. And the worst symptom is when you no longer get that feel-good benefit from volunteering. When you ask yourself, “Is all this effort worth my time and energy?” you have already burned out.
Feeding the Seed of Compassion
There are people, historically and presently, who for lack of a better phrase, were born under a bad sign. I’ve known some of them personally. For one reason or the other, they seem to have never developed a conscience that allowed them to judge good from bad.
Health and Service — Volunteer Trail Docent
A faux heart attack — that moment when the ER doctor said that it was time to lighten the loads that I lift and to get… Read more “Health and Service — Volunteer Trail Docent”
When Breast Cancer Gets in Life’s Way
From an extended family member, I learned about Kimberly, the mother of a 15-year-old daughter. On this Mother’s Day, Kimberly and her daughter will likely make the most of every minute because Kimberly is in Stage 4 breast cancer.
The Muse Pallet 