Volunteer – Somewhere

Last night I saw a clip on the news of former President Bill Clinton participating in a community service project in Phoenix. During the interview he observed that “everybody can serve everywhere.” Being a big fan of volunteering, Clinton’s comment struck a chord with me.

This morning I conducted an unscientific and statistically insignificant survey of my colleagues about their volunteer activities. It turns out that we’re involved in a lot of them!

Some are ones you might expect for up-and-comers in the PR industry: through the Public Relations Society of America’s PR Institute, one of my coworkers is helping to write a pro-bono PR plan for Finding Shelter, a local, no-kill animal shelter. Another serves on the Digital Committee of the Public Relations Global Network.

But we have other interests. Anne is on the Board of the World Affairs Council and chairs its marketing committee. Emily is a member of the Board of Youth Service, Inc., and through YSI volunteers at the Baring House Crisis Nursery. Karen spruces up things with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Nicole fosters pets through the Red Paw Emergency Relief Fund, and I’m a trustworthy member of the Board of Trustees at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Even our interns are active – as a Phillies ballgirl, Meg supports the Phillies’ charities like their Red Goes Green environmental initiative.

Wow. How do we find the time? We make it, just like we make time for eating, sleeping and working. If it’s a priority, you do it. And why should volunteering be a priority? I like to think that we volunteer to support a good mission or cause, strengthening our community, profession or even the world. It’s important. Plus, when we share our time and talents we also transform our own lives as we connect with others and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

Yet the reality is that we do have to eat, sleep, and yes, get to the office most days. I agree with Bill Clinton. Everybody can serve. I’ll only quibble with one thing. I guess if you’re a former President of the United States, you can serve everywhere. But most of us working stiffs can’t do everything. We have to set priorities. So I say, indeed, volunteer, but instead of everywhere, start somewhere.