Volunteering for work

 

Okay, I got to Volunteer for WalkMS in San Francisco and San Jose. I met people that did Advocacy and Organizing. Board Members and Walkers alike. I got reminders and promoted the event and volunteering often. 

I got to exercise some skills like time and supply management and I got to meet new people and reconnect with One Brick and other volunteer organizations. If I was looking for a job I failed in that mission. While overall my volunteer time at each event was just 4 and half hours I kept wondering what more could I have done. 

Could I have brought more goodies for volunteers? Who else could I have recruited to volunteer or introduced to WALKMS? What do I really have to offer and can I say Thank YOU enough to the walkers, fundraisers and overall the organization of the event? 

It definitely reminds me of a few things I completely blanked on. 

First, I was not interested. Seriously, if I was looking for a date, a job, or to implant myself as a volunteer I should have asked more questions of other people. I should have been more intrigued by their life stories. 

Second, if I was looking for people to remember me I should have had a card or a QR code for them to scan so we would connect after the event or at the next event. 

Thirdly, maybe I should be quiet and wait for instruction. I know that reads counterintutive but, I admit I can be overbearing or pushy or give the "wrong" message when passing out flyers. 

In closing, did I practice work skills ? Yes. Was I social? Yes. Will I do this again next year ? No. I think maybe I might do better fundraising and walking. I have a whole year to get ready and maybe a few events I might do ( Wine to Waves is in September ). Right now, I am going to admit maybe volunteering is a great way to do get a job; I met the National MS President and I was just like "yeah" ! 

I will see where I end up but right now I am thinking I can do 4 miles on a stationary bike I should be able to 23 miles ;)