As I said in a previous posts, one thing I want to keep doing is to be sure that I am volunteering. Many added benefits, but you can read that previous post. Today, I want to talk about some things I've learned as I've volunteered.

1. Be Consistent. I volunteer twice a week at a local high school (more coming on that later). The days I help are Monday and Wednesday during their lunch periods, 11:15-1:15. One of the hardest things for me to hear is when someone asks me, "Are you still helping out on Monday?" Haven't seen you here in a while. What that lets me know, is that even if I have only missed a couple of Mondays, in their mind, I don't help on Mondays anymore. Consistency is key.
   
   
2. Communicate. One of the things I want to be sure of is that the local high school I serve is constantly hearing from me. Days when I'll miss, observations I made or places where I feel like I would be able to help them in. I want to be sure that as a volunteer and one who is here to serve, they know they can put me to use. I want more! So, each day I miss, they'll hear from me before (hopefully). Opportunities to serve, I thank them for. As dialogue with them increases, their dialogue with me increases. Win, win.
   
   
3. Make a Difference. Finally, make your volunteering count. No one volunteers and no one wants volunteers to just fill space. That's called a place holder. It's bad for the volunteer and bad for the organization. Volunteer so that it makes a difference. One of the great compliments to me was when I heard some at the high school say "Monday and Wednesdays are our best days. Justin is here." If ever I don't feel like volunteering that week, I think of the times I've heard that. Instant recharge.

I'm sure there are many, many more. One things I've learned about lists, shorts ones are the best.