Monthly Archives: October 2010
Giving Back
Giving back to the community is important for many reasons, as it shares valuable skills to build a better society. It is not just about the task, it is about participation, succession and mentoring.
The work involved as a volunteer, I believe, should be treated with the same professionalism as your main occupation. A true volunteer is as committed to the task as a paid staff member, the difference comes in the motivation behind the activity. What many people call volunteer service is just casual labour without conviction of purpose.
“What’s in it for me” should not appear in the mindset of a volunteer especially as the leader.
So what motivates and empowers true volunteer-ism?
- Vision – clearly articulated
- Enabling leadership
- A clear strategy
- Clear communication
- The right resources
- Shared values
- Ownership
- Community purpose
It is not about personal recognition for the job that is done, it is about the fact that the job is done… BUT take note… If you as the leader do not take quality time to thank and acknowledge volunteers (personally) you will de-motivate them and discredit your organisation. Never take your volunteers for granted, a person who volunteers as a servant is not a slave.
Am I involved in this, absolutely, at various levels from national committee to local support and service groups. I get great satisfaction from knowing that people have been helped by the work I do as part of community organisation.
My challenge to you is to get involved where ever you can.
Courage
Courage requires leadership from the one who possesses it, for it requires one to act alone. The courageous can often be seen as rebellious, stubborn. To stand courageously on an issue there needs to be a clear understanding of self and the values and principles that self holds true, it requires vision. The courageous have predetermined to accept the consequences of their action. To speak or to remain silent both may require courage but wisdom will determine which course of action is best.
The courageous acts of ordinary people are inspirational. Courage should not be confused with recklessness, courage takes thought and pre-planning, even courage under fire or in an emergency has required the character building of the individual before the event. The process begins with the ability to way up the circumstances, assess risk, and determine action, then to make a decision quickly and to act quickly as appropriate. This thinking takes training and preparation.
Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery over it.
Courage:- show it, practice it, lead it, live it, give it to others.
Be an encourager of others and your own courage will increase.
TheWaterSide
Dunedin, New Zealand, is a great city surrounded by an incredibly beautiful coastline. These are images from around TheWaterSide.
Click here for more images from Dunedin
When you come to New Zealand make sure you visit Dunedin.
Images, video and music: ©Paul S Allen 2010
Dr Ros Vallings on ME/CFS
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS
This is a 15 minute edited version of a video where Dr Rosamund Vallings Talks about ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and the latest research into XMRV and the management of ME/CFS at the ANZMES AGM in Auckland,New Zealand, 25 September 2010.
Pleas read my own story of living with a family member with this illness… “Living with M.E.”
For details about ANZMES please visit…
http://www.anzmes.org.nz/
Video: © Paul S Allen 2010
Music: ©Paul S Allen 2008