Comments | mlc13: Community Involvement

mlc13

Community Involvement

Jun 17, 2010 14:20

So, I've been given the go-ahead from my teacher to base a school project on this blog.... therefore I'll be making a few public posts over the next week, and would really love to get as much feedback as possible ( Read more... )

Comments 18

hermdelica June 17 2010, 19:06:32 UTC

My high school had a 10-hour volunteer requirement for graduation. I ended up spending a weekend at a daycare facility helping to supervise the kids. Really it was just playing with them at a nearby park.

I think my high school had the right idea, in that it generates a few thousand hours of volunteer work every year for the community, and it exposes teens to what volunteer work is like.

mlc13 June 18 2010, 00:29:46 UTC

I fully agree that it's the right idea! It's interesting to hear that yours has required volunteer work when you were in school.

I've heard that recently the highschool curriculum has been changed throughout Ontario so that *all* students must do 40 hours of volunteer work / community service in order to graduate.

I've heard students complain about it, but I believe that volunteering helps people learn not to take things for granted as much - I volunteered all through highschool because I enjoyed it (though I must admit, I was careful not to ruin my "image" lol!)

hermdelica June 18 2010, 13:00:31 UTC

Kids complaining is nothing new these days I guess :-)
At the very least it's something they can put on a resume or college/university application.

mlc13 June 18 2010, 13:34:25 UTC

"back in my day....." *snort*

It is good for job interviews - I've had numerous people ask me about my Girl Guide & soccer involvement during interviews in the past.

Now, didn't your band make a charitable donation of some sort a few years ago? I think I remember you asking for listener's advice on the subject??

Thread 5

Maybe not all of this counts, but, it's my two cents... *edit: sorry, got totally high-horsey... ladynine June 17 2010, 19:42:32 UTC

I volunteered as a cat groomer for the Toronto Humane Society, although I stopped due to the union regulations, I felt I was contributing to the health and general well being of the cats and other small animals. Ultimately having healthy, happy animals to adopt leads to happier people out in the community at large ( ... )

Re: Maybe not all of this counts, but, it's my two cents... *edit: sorry, got totally high-horsey... mlc13 June 18 2010, 00:32:54 UTC

And, this is why I love you so much!!!! I don't think you're being high horsey at all, you do *a lot* to contribute to your community and I admire that so much.

Heh. Today I put some change in the SPCA donation box. Such a small thing, but as a student it's hard to find time, money or energy to do much more!

Thank you for taking the time for such a long response too :D

_akathisia_ June 18 2010, 10:56:33 UTC

I agree, one of the things I love about love Tanya is for her being such a generous person. When I read her response and all I can think of is a "show" my sister, cousin and I put together at our cottage to raise money for the new Long Term Care Centre that was being built in the community of less than 800 people. Oh, and I was twelve at the time makes me feel a little insignificant.

mlc13 June 18 2010, 13:35:12 UTC

Your career is practically community service work!!!

_akathisia_ June 18 2010, 14:08:56 UTC

I considered that, but getting paid kinda defeats the volunteer part. :)

That is something I do like about my job, even if I no longer work a position with patient interaction, it's nice to know I'm providing answers that may give bad news, but leads to decisions about what course of therapy to take.

nights_promise June 18 2010, 12:46:56 UTC

I'm not 100% sold on the High School 40 hour requirement. I've heard that the kids will often goof off during their volunteer assignments, because they aren't really there of their free will. Overall I'm sure it does a lot more good though ( ... )

mlc13 June 18 2010, 13:38:18 UTC

I really miss doing volunteer work myself - it's tough with school, homework and the puppy. I also hope to get more involved when time permits - I'd love to get back into Girl Guides or possibly coaching girls soccer.....

Also, I agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding the type of community one wants to live in. Have you found many differences in behaviour between Burlington and Toronto? I find the people in Hamilton are quite a bit friendlier, it's a bit closer to a small town like atmosphere.

nights_promise June 21 2010, 00:03:03 UTC

We lived in a building that had a lot of long term residents, and they were all lovely, and very friendly. Not a huge difference really.

slinka June 18 2010, 14:36:36 UTC

When I was trying to change careers many years ago, I did a stint at a clinic in Windsor. I can't even remember which one. I was supposed to man a SARS desk, check people in/out, make them Purell their hands, hand out masks, escort them to their appointments. But when I got there, the Director decided to have me reorganise the centre's funding binders for the last decade (not exaggerating). I spent two days a week for two months alone in a windowless room organising binders, not the social, directly helpful task I thought I'd be doing.

Anyway, this didn't really turn me off volunteering; now I just tend to more do small stuff within the sex-positive community.