One of the polls recently suggested asks, "Are you currently
involved in your local community?". With 68% of those who have
responded so far saying no, we thought it might be a good time to expand the
conversation around this question.
For those who are not currently involved with their local
community, what are some of the reasons for this? Are you aware of the
activities and initiatives that are operating in your area? What could your
local government or community groups do to interest you, or others in getting
involved?
And for those who are active in their local communities, we'd love to hear
what your experiences have been like. What kinds of activities or groups are you
involved with? How, and why did you first get involved? And if you've lived in
areas both with and without active local communities what have been the
differences between them that you've noticed - good and bad?
Posted by on 08 Oct 2013
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dunbaylass
I have been involved with " A Soup Kitchen " run by the Anglican church,
there are 6 teams of 8, who cook 2 or 3 course meals, to feed the people who in
one way or another need company, a good feed for them selves, or to take home
for loved ones. I use to really enjoy working, untill one person who always
cried poverty, and I always went out of my way to help her, by even giving her
hand me down items of clothing etc, slipped up that the reason she went missing
from April to September was because she had actually inhereted money from her
grand mother, 2 years ago and she finally decided to take a cruise to
Holland etc.. People like that make me sick, I am not a very well person, but is
willing to give up my time, and she took and took, and never once offered to pay
for what she got...Makes me sick
I belong to the local Singing group performing 3 times a month and practising
4 times a month and ty-che and U3A and I help to raze my 4 year old grandson
Yes, I am involved with local permaculture group, organic seed saving, bush
regeneration and visit hospitals and aged care facilites to give remedial and
relaxation massage. I also run a kids craft group during holidays. All pleasant
ways to meet a large range of people, makes me happy, them too. Great fun being
a volunteer grandma, should've retired sooner :-))
I got involved with all the seeds/plants/permaculture/bio-organics stuff
through deep interest and passion for all things environmental and because my
family were also involved in these things as I grew up, we owned plant nurseries
and farms. I get good support from our local council who let our permaculture
group use their nursery facilites for our activities, and from members of other
permaculture networks.
I got involved with the massage because my dad is in a nursing home and saw
the need, nursing staff were greatful for the offer and it gave patients
something to look forward to.
I got involved with the kid's crafts through my grandkids - need I say more
on that one, it just snowballed first to their friends then other local kids, we
use recycled materials from anyone we can including freecycle.org and our
families all benefit from the results of the kid's efforts
I have only been involved with 1 group ever where one of the members was
controlling and didn't get that teamwork and participation is part of being a
group member. I left very quickly. Most other things that have interested me I
thoroughly enjoy going back to.
My local community has a great many activities, so I can only think that the
people responding here that make up the 68% of non community participation stats
you gave here, are on their computers answering these questions. There are lots
of others who are just too busy out volunteering and having a good time to give
positive responses here, LOL.
McRob
Very involved with the local Red Cross. Been Pres. for 12 years, hubby Sec.
Good to give back to the community. Group will probably have to fold as we can't
get any new volunteers. Most of the local groups are having the same
problem.
NOW RETIRED I'M INVOLVED IN VARIOUS VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS MOSTLY
ELDERLY AND ALTZHIEMERS ETC ALSO DO KNITTING FOR CHILDRENS CHARITIES
ETC, MY EX NOW HE'S RETIRED DRIVES CHILDREN TOO AND FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD
CENTRES EVEN THOUGH HE HIMSELF IS IN REMISSION FROM LEUKAEMIA. SAYS IT KEEPS US
BOTH ALIVE AND GIVES US SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO EACH DAY, WE MAY NOT
LIVE TOGETHER, STUPID AT OUR AGE BUT SEE EACH OTHER EVERY DAY AND ARE BOTH ON
CALL IN CASE 1 OF US TAKES ILL. WE STILL CONSIDER WE ARE MARRIED AFTER 40
YEARS. WE'RE BOTH NUTS, JUST CAN'T LIVE TOGETHER. WONDER HOW MANY OTHER COUPLES
ARE LIKE US. THERE'S A NEW SUBJECT FOR YOUR YOUR FORUM
I am involved in the Mackay pain management group which is desperately needed
in our area shown by our over 300 members. I am also a volunteer specialist
foster carer. So very busy in my local area
Yes, I do help at the local Nursing Home. I go and read to the patients, do
shopping for them. We do a Bus outing once a month and I go along. I get a
great deal of enjoyment out of doing this, I do not work and I live alone as my
partner passed away earlier this year, and I do have some spear time to give to
these wonderful people.
Yes, volunteering and community involvement is essential for my wellbeing.
You meet the MOST amazing people! When I hear other people's stories, any
problems I have pale into insignificance, and I thank our God for the abundance
I have. The journeys some people have are really sad and tough, and if I can do
anything to ease that, I feel lucky to have lived that day. Often all I do, is
to listen to them when they want to talk. I collect for cancer charities and it
is amazing how many people come to talk - maybe a friendly smile and an unknown
face gives them the anonymity to bare their souls. Because that is what many
people do. They often say things like "I have never told anyone else this". And
THAT really surprises me!
I have been in assorted groups as treasurer, secretary, president etc; church
newsletters, organised bus trips, playgroup, Sunday School, charity events,
fetes etc. It is all good fun and gives your soul a great boost!
I have been involved in our local RSL Services Club and Sub-Branch for the
last twenty two years, the last 19 as the President of the Services Club. In
that role which is voluntary I have had the oportunity to assist members of the
Defence Force and their families including veterans from the past, whilst also
assisting local groups with financial assistance to many organisations, such as
Rural Fire Service, SES, local schools and other local community groups. Do this
job has been very rewarding when you know that with the rest of the Board you
can make peoples lives different and see a smile on their faces.
Im not. Im very private and keep to myself. When miss 3 starts kindy soon its
going to kill me being around random people
Plus having miss 3 at home now means to volunteerm id need choldcare and
thats way to costly if I not being paid
Hi squeekums1, Perhaps miss 3 and you could join a local
playgroup. It's easier to meet other people when you both have a joint
interest ... raising a child. Talking with another mum about their child
is a great ice-breaker.
If you like playgroup, perhaps when miss 3 joins kindy you could be a helper
at the playgroup. Every mum needs some encouragement, especially the new
mums, and you already have 3 years experience.
You may just find your niche
I've been a volunteer with Red Cross for about five years and absolutely love
it. They offer training, support, friendship, experiences you'd never find
anywhere else - plus you're doing something great for yourself and making a
difference for others too. I highly recommend anyone to go ahead and volunteer.
It's not only worth it for your self esteem but it does help your career and
also fills gaps where you may not be getting what you want out of your job. Go
for it.
Mamy years ago the city council was wanting to run a computer class for
seniors, being semi retired then I thought I would be one of many volunteers,
but I was the only one, in our old teeny library, no facilities much just me
talking over other noise (like kids club) did this for about 18 months then they
built a new library and others volunteered to teach my curruculum that I had
worked out, so with others taking other groups I continued for another 3 years,
till someone decided that they needed everything passed by a committee. So I
finished there. I didnt do it for the recognition but got none either till after
I left one of the council staff said thank you. Taught a small group computers
at another location for 2 years and also have been teaching beginners
sewing(mostly to new arrivals) for the past 5 years. I have 2 things I strongly
believe in:1:Use it or loose it and:2: if Moses hadbeen a committee the children
of Israel would still be in Egypt
I first got involved in volunteering due to finding myself in the position of
being unemployed almost 2 years ago. I initially volunteered in the
Administration side which primarily involved dealing with people by phone. I
found this to be a challenging & rewarding job.
I then had a short stint with some paid employment and now I am back
volunteering but this time in a Charity Shop and I have to say I am enjoying
this much more. I love the face to face interaction with customers and I feel as
though I am contributing more than being behind closed doors so to
speak.
Yes, I am
heavily involved in my small local community. I am on several Committees, eg:
the Recreation Reserve, Beehive Group, Neighbourhood Watch, and the Action
Group. We do a lot of work to raise funds for projects in the community
for a better life for the kids and beautification and safety projects in the
town We have long term plans drawn up and run solely on fund raising,
donations and blood sweat and tears!
I retired
here four and a half years ago and got involved as soon as I got here. I
have been doing community/committee work in excess of 30 years and love giving
back. It is so good for the soul.
When Dick Persson, the appointed Administrator for Warringah Council
(Sydney's northern beaches) initiated an open forum before scheduled meetings, I
was the first resident to address Council. I was the last to speak at his last
Council meeting, with nothing but praise. I have kept up my involvement with the
elected Council and have been richly rewarded by having my opinions (and
requests) highly respected and, more often than not for requests, acquiesced
to.
J-Alice HOFLER
I used to do community support worker for a disable girl in her own home as
well as helped her family that had so little knowledge about enlish language. I
loved helping people in the community because it's a challenge to give love and
help without getting pay or anything for credit. To me it's a blessing to go
help other people especially elderlies and special needs people. I involved in
the church communities as well as local one. Giving a helping hands makes me
feel that the grace of God is helping out to me as well as others needs. There
are some who doesn't want but to me it's their own choice.
Rotary 20 years (now Secretary, Bulletin editor, Christmas cakes distributor,
President-elect); Scouting (Treasurer (2), Newsletter editor. Professional
association local Committee member. Involved in Scouting since age 11 (now 70) -
Leader of youth, later of adults, for many years in the greatest youth
organisatrion in the world - seen so many kids blossom through it and its manu
activities. Sing in men's choir (and also its Secretary). Now "semi-retired"
with paid work on casual basis. Have nedver lived anywhere where I have not been
in something. Thinking of offering to help with Meala on Wheels, and also
maybe join U3A.
Yes very involved but now through church. I use to do volunteer work @
Salvo's than @ Life Line but now I do community work with and through my
church.. We do Chaplaincy ( school n nite), R.E., school breakfast club, just to
mention afew. I also drive people ( older or carless) shopping, to doctors n
such.
