Mixing up the volunteering

Early in my education career, I tended to get a bit bored after a few years of doing the same thing day after day (classroom teacher, building librarian) and would change jobs.

But no two days were ever the same when I was employed as a school technology director. 

Being a tech director from 1991 to 2019 meant new challenges each and every year. New technologies, of course, new installations, new policies, new training for staff, new ethical issues, changing tech and library staffing, and new security concerns kept one from being bored. To say the least. The work changed sufficiently that I stayed with one school district in the same role for 23 years.

In retirement, I find that I also like variety in my activities. I vary my exercise routine, take trips to new places, try hikes on new trails, and read new authors. But I also like to shake up my volunteering activities, the things that fill my days and give me purpose.

In the month of May alone, I…

• Served as a volunteer driver, taking people to medical appointments
• Shopped for groceries for those who are home-bound
• Drove a van for a senior center to take residents grocery shopping
• Led hikes for an outdoor club
• Cleared trails in northern Minnesota for the Border Route Trail Association
• Organized and participated in service projects for my Rotary Club and served on the club’s board 

In the past year I also

• Presented programs for the outdoor club, Rotary, and YMCA groups
• Served as a History Day judge
• Participated in a hearing aids test for the University of Minnesota

A couple weeks ago I learned how to give rides on an ebike to people in wheelchairs. (It has a platform in the front of the bike on which the wheelchair sits.) I’ve not yet signed up to actually do this, but I will next month. 

It’s not hard to find opportunities to volunteer, that’s for sure. Each Saturday the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper prints the “Get Involved” column listing a dozen different volunteering needs by organizations around the city. The University of Minnesota has a volunteer center for retirees. Our county has a volunteer coordinator. There are several online resources for locating volunteer opportunities matched to one’s preferences, including Volunteer Match.

One should use caution when volunteering, however, One can get addicted to the work. Attached to the people one serves and with whom one works. Satisfied by the sense that one has done a good turn for others. Gained comfort from knowing one has improved one’s karma. 

Enjoy doing good work. Perhaps that is the secret to happy living.