Friday, April 28, 2017

Giving Back

Since I have made the decision to hold off on going back to work until E is school age, I've decided that I want to get back into volunteering. When we were at Bliss, I was heavily involved with our FRG (Family Readiness Group) as both a company FRG leader as well as the Battalion Senior Advisor. It was exhausting but so worth it. I opted to take time off while we were in Louisiana and I am glad I did, it was nice to just recharge. 

Kyle received his in-processing paperwork for school and in it were a variety of volunteer opportunities for me to consider while we are in Kansas. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love being home with E but Kyle reminded me that it's important for me to do something that I'm passionate about and volunteering for a few hours a week doesn't seem unreasonable.

One that I am considering being part of is the Parent Advisory Council for CYS (Child and Youth Services). This is a group that meets quarterly to discuss ways in which to enhance the youth programs offered as well as working on the Parent Participation Program which encourages parents to be active and volunteer within the program. With my background and desire to work in a field that relates to kids I figured this would be a great fit for me.

Another is being the secretary for the individual small group that my husband will be a part of. For ILE (or CGSC as it's also known as) there is the entire class of service members but they are also broken down into small groups. The spouses get together and plan events, essentially forming their own small FRG. 

However, there is one volunteer opportunity that I have been researching on my own for a while. I am looking into becoming a coach with Girls on the Run. It is an organization that works with girls (3rd-5th grade and 6th-8th grade) that utilizes a experience-based curriculum that encourages them to be healthy and confident, but the best part is that they also incorporate running. They have a chapter in the Leavenworth area and it sounds like it would be a perfect fit. I have reached out to the director and am waiting to hear back from her. 

I love volunteering and being able to give back to the community is a huge blessing. I know this year is going to be awesome for so many reasons. Between having more time together as a family and being able to volunteer, it's going to be wonderful. I want to teach E that it is important to give back, I hope I can lead by example for her.


Do you volunteer? If so, what do you do?

28 comments:

  1. You always need to do what makes you happy!

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  2. Volunteering is a great way to gibe back and do something you are passionate about too! Volunteering helped me a lot when Nick was on his first submarine tour because it gave me something positive to focus on. I was a Girl Scout leader for a group of girls. I did it for 3 years before moving to Hawaii. In Hawaii, I volunteered at an animal shelter for a while. Now I am getting a position in our FRG and I think that is a good place for me to put my energy because I want to help it grow. I also really want to either do something with reading/writing, like tutoring kids, or maybe volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. I'm not sure yet but I want to do something here! I can't wait to see what you decide and to hear all about it. I've heard about Girls on the Run, it sounds like a great organization!

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  3. Yay for getting back into it! I kept saying I was going to take a break, but never actually did. I think this duty station will finally be my break, since there aren't many volunteer opportunities within the unit anyway. I'm glad to know that they have the opportunities that you mentioned at ILE, since we will hopefully end up there next!

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  4. I have always loved volunteering too. Over the years, I have dedicated time to FRGs, the Red Cross, Fisher House, ACS, and more....however, my favorite is being a Girl Scout Volunteer! It is such a fun organization with countless opportunities (you don't have to be a Troop Leader). I've made the best friends through Girl Scouts, and I feel like I get out so much more than I give.

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    1. That's really amazing. It sounds like you have given so much back to the community.

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  5. I have learned that being busy it what keeps me sane (even if it simultaneously drives me crazy haha) but I think it's also why motherhood hasn't been a huge shock/life-changing for me. It feels good to have a reason to be busy - especially one that I love! I've heard great things about GOTR - I'm sure you'd be a perfect fit!!

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    1. Yes!!!!!! I'm the same way, I have to be busy.

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  6. I'm a member of the Junior League. It's a volunteer organization for women, and I transfer my membership every time we move. They have one in Kansas City if you're interested.

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  7. Good idea, Jen. We teach children at church. That's in the community and we get to know the parents as well. I would like to other things but time is restricted with my work hours. Giving back to the community is a good thing as it makes us feel good and huge blessing to those you help. All around a good thing! I used to be a Brownie leader when Megan was in grade school and a few years of helping GS til she decided not to do it any more.

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  8. You'd be great with the Girls on The Run!! And you can bring E along...you know the girls would adore her!! I hope you get that gig.

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    1. Aww thanks sweet friend. I am really excited.

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  9. My volunteer record with the army has been spotty (I really just do what he asks me to these days).

    Girls on the Run is something you'd be good at. It's much more teaching-oriented than it is club-oriented, so I don't know about taking E lol....There were days I could barely do it all at once. They have a pretty strict curriculum. If you have a great team of reliable coaches though, it'd be easy AND fun.

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  10. I wish I had enough time to do something

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  11. You're going to be such a good example for E, and all of these opportunities sound so amazing! The running one totally seems right up your alley and it'll be a great way to work with young kids too!

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  12. This is a great idea. I would volunteerat an animal shelter if I had more time,

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  13. How awesome is this! Girls on the runs sounds right up your alley!

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  14. Girls On The Run would be perfect for you. I don't know the premise other than running but seriously?!? so exciting. I agree with you on volunteering. I have stepped away from it for years but definitely feel the need to get back to it.

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  15. How awesome are you!! Girls on the Run sounds like so much fun! I'm sure you will love combining your passion for running and kids!

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    1. You're so sweet! I am so excited to get back to doing what I love.

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  16. This is great! I love your philosophy behind it, and your attitude. I hope all the things you have lined up come off! Once we're settled in an area here I'd like to start doing some volunteering. I need to wait for the dust to settle a bit, and figure out what help I can realistically be to anyone (!) but then I'm keen. I've volunteered before and there really is no better feeling.

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  17. Ah! Girls on the Run is such an amazing organization!! I've looked into it, but we don't have it here (or at our last base). That would be so cool. Any of them will be great! :)

    (Also, side note: I always read about the FRG on blogs and on Twitter from all of you Army spouses... never heard of it in real life on the Air Force side of things! We may have one? No idea. But if so, no one talks about it! haha!)

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  18. I am considering volunteering if I can't find a full-time job. I will probably start volunteering and hope that leads into me making a connection for a job at our new assignment! Plus, hopefully it will help Andy get recruits!

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  19. I love volunteering and I'm sad that I've fallen out from volunteering. What I loved about the States was how easy it is to volunteer. In London it was a bit harder and Sing just makes it close to impossible. Sigh. Girls on the Run sounds awesome as do the other opportunities! I can't wait to see which one you pick.

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  20. I think you would be amazing at being a running coach!

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  21. Girls on the run is amazing! You would be so good at it

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  22. It is important to feel like you are contributing back and doing stuff that may be outside the home. All of these seem like things that you could rock!

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Love hearing from you!! :)