Not Your Mother's Junior League

Forum Date: Monday, October 22, 2012

During today's forum, I learned about an organization I haven't heard much of. In fact, my only recollection of any mention of this group was in the book, The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I also learned a little more about where I would and would not like to volunteer in the future. Allow me to explain.

Our speaker, Leslie Tomlinson, is a part of the association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. which works with women to build better communities. She is currently a sustaining member of the Junior League of the Shoals. According to her, its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. She informed us that Junior Leagues in general:
- Develop the potential of women
- Improve communities by addressing the most critical needs of a community
- Promote volunteerism
- Provide networking and social opportunities

All of the above are great characteristics for a civic engagement organization to have; however, as Leslie continued talking, she gave me the impression that the organization's priorities are out of order. The "social" portion of the Junior League seemed to be stressed and publicized more than anything else. I appreciated that she went ahead and warned us about the stereotypes that exist involving Junior Leagues (like it being an adult sorority); however, her rebuttal was not very convincing. The Junior League is exclusive to its participants because of the strict rules required to join as a member and volunteer, yet the organization pushes for more volunteers. In order to be a member of the Junior League you must:
- Be a female
- Be at least 24 years of age (none of us in forum even meet this requirement)
- Complete at least 60 hours of civic engagement a year (none of which can be used for a different organization)
- Attend the weekly meetings

I feel like you should be able to volunteer no matter what the purpose behind your volunteering. Even though there might be slightly selfish motivations pushing you to volunteer (like using your hours for a class), that is perfectly okay. You are still doing good things nonetheless; your motivations don't change the outcome of your civic engagement. I also don't quite understand the minimum age requirement (what special ability comes at age 24?). I think that the maturity and responsibility level of a person should be judged, not their age. Although I won't be volunteering with the Junior League anytime soon, I certainly appreciate what that organization does to help the Shoals community and empower women.

So I don't seem like such a "negative Nancy," let me tell you about what I did agree with. When Leslie told us that we have to love an organization to stay with it, I couldn't help but nod my head. That's why she stuck with the Junior League; she saw progress even through the hard times when it seemed like an exclusive club. Even though I feel that the League still has a while to go, they have improved over the years. A few years ago, you could be rejected simply because of your race. That's both unethical and unfair to society... everyone has an important part in positively improving a community. The book I mentioned earlier, The Help, couldn't phrase it better: “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” Now go change the world. And read The Help while you're at it.

RED.

Forum Date: Monday, October 15, 2012

RED.

- adjective
the primary color at one extreme end of the visible spectrum; commonly associated with danger, sacrifice, passion, fire, beauty, and love.

Red is the color of the ruby, freshly picked strawberries, the H&M clothing store sign (my new obsession), and santa claus's hat, among many other wonderful things. I know it sounds silly to spend so long talking about a color; however, that particular three letter word means so much more to me than just its appearance. Before I explain myself, I first have to make the connection to our last speaker. In the meantime, try not to die from suspense. 

Last forum our speaker was Jackie Hendrix of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. He is a part of the Commerce's board of directors, the Northwest Shoals Scholarship Foundation board, and the board of directors with local home builders. For the majority of the class period, Jackie explained what he does on a daily basis in his workplace to make the Shoals a better place. He then reiterated what a lot of our other speakers have already told us by telling us some benefits of volunteering like networking and building our resume.

When I see the color red, I immediately think of the organization (RED). (RED) harnesses the power of companies and people to help fight AIDS. When you purchase something from a company that sponsors (RED), a portion of the profits directly benefits the cause. Since I am currently unemployed (I don't have enough money to donate) and my platform involves helping children (both indirectly and directly), I plan on spending my spring break with the other members of UNA's Alternative Break Board.

My top site choice is the domestic one in New York involving HIV/AIDS education in the LGBT community. Because HIV/AIDS is a topic that many people in today’s society tend to either avoid talking about or simply overlook, I want to help change that. From participating in behind the scenes work with the GMHC walk to preparing health kits, every small effort will help bring about a bigger awareness to such a critical topic. As I researched some statistics, I was shocked that I was not as educated about this topic as I thought I was and that this disease is not a bigger concern outside of the LGBT community.
In 2010, 1,000 babies were born every day with HIV.
In 2011, that number was down to 900.
Seeing those physical numbers reinforced a fact that I already knew: no one (of any age, race, or gender) is immune to HIV or AIDS. In addition to interacting with the residents of New York and becoming a part of a healthy lifestyle revolution, I feel like helping with prevention is the first step to a cure. Traveling to New York has also always been a dream of mine. The fact that the issue that interests me the most is paired with a site choice I would love to visit seems almost too good to be true.

Coming up, December 1 is world AIDS day! Help me spread awareness by wearing something red! :)

The color red is also... drumroll please... the title of Taylor Swift's new album set to release on October 22! Ladies of Lafayette: be prepared to hear that CD on repeat while I shower, haha. Anyway, her whole album is about love derived from passion. The world needs more love and less hate, don't you agree? Since the only things you can control are your own actions, help spread love by helping others through volunteering. 

Jackie brought up the point that 80% of people don't volunteer. If you do the simple math: only 10% of people DO volunteer. Our goal as a class should be to change that statistic by going above and beyond what is required of us. Sure, we all have to complete 10 hours a semester of civic engagement in order to renew our scholarships and remain members of the HP, but fulfilling our duties as active citizens and good people requires so much more. We have to realize that we each have duties outside of our selfish needs and wants. That is why, although our schedules as college students are hectic, we should try our best to volunteer in an area(s) we are passionate about. There are so many things in this world that need positive improvements aside from the issues that get the most attention like poverty, teen pregnancy, and childhood hunger.
In the words of Jackie Hendrix, "See a need, fill a need."

The Giving Tree

Forum Date: Monday, October 08, 2012

When I was a little girl, books were my best friends. My parents took countless pictures of me after I had accidentally fallen asleep on a huge pile of books. I never let anyone else borrow my books, for fear of the spine getting creased in the whole "sharing process." Plus, who knows when the urge to re-read a book would strike me? And call me crazy, but the smell of opening an old library book made me the happiest person alive... and it still does to this day.  Just to fill you in on my volunteer hours up until now, I am planning on volunteering with Success by 6 at their Mall-o-Ween event. On Halloween, I'm going to help pass out candy and books to children at the mall. I can't wait!

One of my all-time favorite children's books is The Giving Tree. That story, although geared towards a younger audience, can teach everyone an important lesson about giving to others.

John Lane, our guest speaker from the last class, summed up that particular moral by saying that, "Giving is more than money, but it is never less than money." Each of us have time (although not very much) and talents in abundance. There should be nothing standing in the way of us participating in our civic responsibility. Civic responsibility is defined as the "responsibility of a citizen." It dates back to Ancient Rome whose citizens wanted to help the Roman Empire. Today, less people are willing to volunteer out of the goodness of their hearts. John, who happened to be my favorite speaker to date, was one of the few exceptions to that fact.

One of James's triplets, James, was born with cerebral palsy. Because of that, he and his family became acquainted with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). That organization sponsors the Life Without Limits marathon on October 27, which is another volunteer opportunity for us. When his son passed away, his family started visiting the Healing Place and Ms. Kay Parker, and remained active volunteers of UCP. As I listened to this man talk about his love for his family and the causes he is involved with, my heart melted. Just by listening to him talk for a short amount of time, he impacted my life and motivated me to become a better person.

I still vividly remember everywhere I have volunteered because my civic engagement has impacted my life as much as it has touched the lives of those I help. For example, in high school I got the chance to travel to Atlanta, Georgia to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. I inspected and packed boxes (with toys and necessities) for underpriviledged children in third-world countries. I will NEVER forget the atmosphere of that warehouse. Everyone there was in such happy spirirts and had such good hearts. November 12-19 is this year's box collection week and I plan on donating one!

John reminded us, in this nearing holiday season, that material possessions only make you feel good for a short amount of time. When you find all of your happiness in making and spending money, it seems that the "feel good has an expiration date."

The way you feel when you change the world and give to others, however, doesn't have an expiration date.

We are Family

Forum Date: Monday, October 1, 2012

As soon as I found out that Gina Mashburn from the Big Brother, Big Sister Program was coming to talk to us, the song "We are Family" immediately began playing in my head. Yes, if I could have it my way, my life would be a musical. Although that would require me to have some singing abilities... which I have yet to acquire. Once again, I digress.

Getting back on track, Gina graduated in 1987 with a degree in sociology and a minor in art and Spanish. She was the case manager of BBBS from 1989-1996, worked at the Sheffield City Schools mentoring program (which partners with BBBS), and was hired as the director of the local Big Brother, Big Sister program back in March.

The Big Brother, Big Sister Program is an agency that helps children that need a good role model relationship. A majority of the kids are boys, so there is a huge need for male volunteers.

The Big Brother, Big Sister Program really hits home for me. In high school, I participated in my school's version of this organization and was paired with a girl a few years younger than me. When I first met her, she was the shyest little thing; I would carry on most of our conversations and plan all of our get-togethers. My main job was just to listen to her. Most of the kids involved with the program didn't have parents that were involved in their lives, so having an older role model available to listen to them speak their minds meant the world to them. Slowly, but surely she began to open up to me and trust me with her secrets. It was then that we truely became friends and she started coming to me for advice. It was an amazing feeling knowing that I was directly impacting a child's life in a positive way.

Even though I can't participate in the Big Brother, Big Sister Program here in the Shoals area (I don't have a car), I am excited to say that I will still be able to volunteer at one of the program's events. In December, there is going to be a gift wrapping station at the local mall for several days. WORDS CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THIS. I love, love, LOVE wrapping presents. I'm practically a pro, so if you're volunteering with me the answer is, yes, it will be a contest. ;) This will help fulfill my civic engagement duties AND will also fall under my platform of volunteering in the community and helping children. Dear December, please hurry.