Networking Forum

Back in the late 1980s, I volunteered to be a member of the strategic planning committee of the local school district because doing so carried out two things on my volunteer wish list:

First, I wanted to work with the school district’s administrator, who was (I thought) particularly savvy.

Second, I wanted to make sure future school construction took into account the accessibility needs of students with disabilities.

At the end of the six-month process, which included site visits of every school in the district and a series of brainstorming sessions, this volunteer experience had met my expectations on both counts.

An unexpected payoff was this: It boosted my strategic planning credentials in the eyes of my boss, the CEO of the company where I had been working for 20 years.

A few photos and stories in the local newspaper about your community volunteer efforts can enhance your credibility at work.

Great post Martin. I think that the number 1 thing on my volunteer wish list was to get active in the disability community on a local level--or at least as active as I could be. I had been hearing for years just how marginalized people with disabilities were, particularly in my state. Having grown up with disabilities myself, I guess I was really touched by the fact that nobody was really doing much for our population in the way of advocacy. I was active in my church youth group, and they always treated me as an equal. I also read lessons from the Bible. Wonder of wonders there was this nonprofit organization called Natural Ties that was getting started, and oddly enough a friend of mine from junior high happened to be on staff there and he was instrumental in getting me hired. I didn't really have an interview, but a few of us sat down with my VR counselor and discussed my technology needs. Those needs weren't exactly met but I did end up with a demo copy of Window-Eyes. At first they didn't pay me because they wanted to see if the job was a good fit for me. I had been involved with this organization only as a participant prior to starting my volunteer position there. They liked what I was doing so much--and I really liked them and firmly believed in their mission and goals--so I was put on their payroll. I suppose it's no surprise that their mission was to raise awareness of people with disabilities? This mission was accomplished through one-on-one friendships, between someone with a disability and someone without a disability. The people without disabilities in this case were referred to as "ties." I had three separate "ties." Each of the pairs did stuff together such as go out to eat or just hang out and talk. I was eventually taken back off the organization's payroll, but that's another story. What I will tell all of you though is that it had nothing to do with me. Nor was my relationship with the organization in jeopardy. Around that time I began experiencing health problems and subsequently went on dialysis and then received a kidney from my oldest sister. So I was rather inactive for a long time. As it turned out Natural Ties unofficially shut down due to what I later found out were financial problems. The founder--who had been its executive director for awhile--eventually started his own business. Whether this played a part in the demise of the organization I don't know. But then my parents and I found out about another nonprofit organization that was being started by the co-founders of a college program for students with learning disabilities. The co-founders of that program wanted an organization dedicated to finding housing options for those with disabilities in Illinois, after finding that our state was lacking heavily in terms of serving people with disabilities. Thus Center for Independent Futures was born. Eventually the first residence was complete and some people moved in. I ended up moving into the next residential facility to be completed. I am happy to report that this organization has since grown by leaps and bounds, and we've gotten inquiries about our services from a few other states. A large part of CIF'S mission is to help plan the future for people with disabilities. I am currently working in the CIF office as a part-time administrative assistant, along with a few other residents. Illinois is currently ranked number 51 in terms of services for people with disabilities! Our governor and his cronies have talked and talked and talked about doing things to improve the situation, but nothing has gotten accomplished at all. What's more, the two blindness advocacy organizations in this country have continued to be at odds with each other over what are--in my opinion--issues of common sense. I truly feel something needs to be done to change this landscape. Ever since the split into two organizations back in 1961, it seems there has been virtually nothing but hostility towards a lot of issues.

Thanks for the interesting perspective. I'm taking this opportunity to expand your discussion a bit further before I note my response. Prior to the loss of sight (1980), I routinely volunteered as part of my High School "Service to Community" requirement. The exposure provided during High School set the stage for, what was to become, a 28 year history of Community Service following College graduation and, loss of vision.

In Summer 1980 after failed surgery for Diabetic Retinapathy, an immediate frustration was the inability to read daily newspapers. Throughout College, the Wall St. Journal, NY Times and a major local daily were routinely read every morning before class. Suddenly having no usable vision, reading immediately became impossible. My Collegiate mentor, a Jesuit priest, knowing of my passion for reading and, my broadcasting background saught me out in late Fall of that year with an idea he was attempting to develop with the College's fm radio station. The idea, a "Radio Reader Service" for print handicapped that would read On-Air daily/weekly newspapers, shoppers advertisements and other local publications. We began work in earnest. It was 22 months later when the Service first broadcast on a sideband frequency of the College's Radio station. Hearing the first broadcast, the untold hours recruiting other volunteers, training them to read "live", fundraising and the myriad of other activities instilled in me the perspective I continue to maintain when involved in Community Service, specifically:

-Administer without being a tyrant (No one wants to cooperate with a tyrant).

-Have the levity to laugh at your mistakes (But, once you've had a laugh over your humanity, correct the shortcoming so you learn from it).

-If you care to serve, serve to care.

It's nearly 25 years since that first commitment to Community Service and, I continue to volunteer. I hope when I move on to the next venture, I have left something with the organization that will continue its success.

i eally feel that when you help someone it benifits both parties and makes you realize that your life is not bad and to count your blessing, as you reach out to others...

In reviewing comments made to this post, it appears those who have "Volunteer/Community Service" all have a connect to Employment Related Skills. An obvious observation to this post however, is there aren't more comments to reinforce the post. Hmmmm.

If someone is seeking to enhance their employment horizons in this economy, "Volunteer/Community" service is critical. As stated, it expands valuable skills and, gives value added to the organization to which one provides service. Perhaps, many more need to consider this option for the value it addes to one's presentation to a perspective employer .