Tag Archives: Global Volunteerism

Shredding the BackPacks in Greece

We started off with six backpacks!  Being super organizers, my twin sister, Diane and I had carefully planned out how to travel to Greece for a three week work assignment carrying various sized backpacks (including backpack purses).  We were ready for any contingency, any emergency and any task.

But we didn’t need them and we didn’t miss them.  We hadn’t even left home before we decided to leave the first two fancy North Face backpacks behind on the kitchen table.  And then the two backpack purses (special “expensive” anti-theft bags) were swiftly stowed in the duffel bags as soon as we got to Greece.  And we really didn’t need or want to carry two of the light weight Eddie Bauer backpacks because everything could easily fit in one.  So we just carried one between the two of us.  It was wonderfully simple.

And I had to laugh . . . on the last night in Athens we shred even that last backpack.  Cargo pants with pockets and a passport holder around the neck was everything we needed.  Of course, we had spent all our euros helping the Greek economy so the money envelope was pretty light!

Lighten Your Load

So what did I learn?  I don’t need all that stuff.  We don’t need all that stuff.  Be willing to shred the extra baggage and lighten your load.  And it actually clears your mind and gives you a feeling of space that feels really good.  So go on ahead and simplify your life load. Your back will thank you!

 

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Working in Greece & Opening Doors

I’m back!  It was a fabulous 3 week adventure in Greece working for Global Volunteers on the island of Crete.  My twin sister, Diane, and three other wonderful women from Canada, Kathleen Close; Sandra Close and Sheila Davis made up our volunteer team under the wise leadership of Sam Pinakoulaki, our country host.  We called ourselves “Sam’s Chippy Chicks” and what fun we had!  The wine was flowing; the food was terrific; the sun was hot; the  buses were crowded and the laughs were endless.

 

Greek Hospitality is the Best! 

One of the best parts of the trip was living in the family hotel, Hotel Hankadas, and becoming part of the Greek extended family that gathers there every morning, afternoon and evening to talk, watch the political news, eat, work in the vineyards around the hotel and share a glass of wine with us at the end of the night.

We loved Paul who runs the hotel with his two sisters, Irene & Suzanne and his wife, Catherine.  There are also lots of other community people in and out including several traveling salesmen who sell linens out of their trucks up in the villages.

 

Our Work in Greece – Opening Doors for Future Volunteers

We were the 87th Global Volunteer team (and the first for 2012) to work in this small community, Amoudara, just outside of Heraklion in Crete. Our work assignment changed upon our arrival – from working each day in a local school teaching English to more community outreach and liaison work.  As one door closed another opened!

We were honored to be invited to work in a battered women’s safe house planting a garden and cleaning the house for the residents.  There are only two battered women’s shelters in the entire country!  In addition, we represented Global Volunteers at their monthly Board Meeting meeting networking with many of Heraklion’s most influential women activists – from age 80 to 20.  Our hope is that future teams will be allowed to work with the shelter especially in supporting the organization’s future children’s orphanage “House of Angels”.

We also learned that “volunteerism” is a very new concept in Greece.  We had a chance to meet with a newly formed group of women volunteers through a special invitation by the Vice-Mayor of Gazi.  In the local government chambers we participated in a joint meeting sharing our visions and commitment to volunteerism in all communities.  It didn’t matter that we spoke different languages – smiles & laughs communicated all that we need.

Over the next few days, we were invited to participate in a larger women’s meeting at the local Chamber of Commerce and then to visit a local kindergarten for young children of working parents.  The weeks ended with a phenomenal trip up to the mountains to visit Saint Spiro’s center for mentally delayed adults (more on that later!).

I have many funny stories and wonderful lessons learned.  I’ll share many of those over the next few weeks.  And if you see me packing my backpack again you know where I’m going . . . to Hotel Hankadas!

Posted in And a Bit More, Communication Tips, Global Training & Coaching, Navigating Change, Networking, Personal Development, Your Time & Energy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s All So Complicated!

I’m actually a very patient person.  And I’m bright, fairly tech savvy, can make time and have resources available to me. It’s just that everything in today’s world is so complicated.  These last few weeks have pushed my patience and good humor to the edge.  Here’s my story . . .

I leave in a couple of days for a three week Global Volunteers work assignment in Greece.  I’ll be gone from the office a full month so there are lots of projects to be taken care of both here at the office, at home and in my community work.  But since I’ve lived overseas and travel quite a bit it shouldn’t be hard. Or is it?

Passwords, Passwords & More Passwords 

If you have oodles of time and enjoy the thrill of the chase to solve just one problem per day then tackling the banking industry; the health care system; the mobile phone network or the Greek ferry system will provide hours of entertainment.  But I don’t have that time and energy – and I don’t have a secretary (as I remind my 94 year old attorney Dad with his own secretary).

And everything needs a password, a log-in and then a host of “security questions”.  The funniest was this past weekend when I had to answer a series of “multiple choice” questions from three different banking people asking the most obscure questions – no longer your favorite color or mother’s maiden name.

So here’s what I’ve learned in this entire process.

  • First., punch “0” over and over to try and connect with a live person.  Forget trying to go through the prompts hoping to find one that matches what you’re looking for – it’s just not going to happen.
  • Second, try my sister’s trick which is to simply plead ignorance and say that you don’t use/own a computer and therefore can’t do these transactions on-line yourself.  The live person will usually say “No problem, I’ll do it for you”.  Works beautifully.
  • Third, when you’ve reached the end of your patience, as I did with getting two sets of instructions from my mobile phone carrier, turn the task over to someone who still has the strength to persevere – hubby, Wally, retired Marine who loves a good challenge.  I found myself saying to the young phone salesperson “Are you telling me that this IPhone which is “smart” enough to make spaghetti sauce can’t be used anyplace in Europe”.  Yep, that’s what she was saying ’cause Greece is a GM Country – now what does that mean?
  • And finally, keep your sense of humor and expectations very, very low.  Don’t expect to get an answer to your question the first time around but rather you will be referred on and on and on.  Someday you may get an answer if you still remember or care about the question.

“Leaving on a Jet Plane . . . “

Sharing my story with you has given me some wonderful perspective.  So I think I might just go on down to the Reno airport two days early, order a glass of wine and settle back with a good book.  If you want to call me on my fancy new “loaner” IPhone that I won’t know how to work – please try.  Just don’t ask me for a password!

 

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Volunteering: Icing on the Cake

This week I had the opportunity to attend the Northern Nevada Chamber of Commerce Slices for Service event.  It was very inspiring!  The Chamber brought together about 20 community organizations (non-profit, government & education) with Chamber members to match people with volunteer jobs during these tough economic times.  One of the speakers, Doug Doolittle, Director, Washoe County Regional Parks, said the park budget has been cut by 60% but they are committed to keeping our parks “open, safe & clean”.   It can only be done with volunteers – that’s you, me and our colleagues.  But there are wonderful benefits for the potential volunteer as well.  So here’s my pitch . . .

Are you stuck?  Maybe in a job that has become too routine; doing work that doesn’t use your real skills or maybe locked into a position that doesn’t encourage you to stretch and grow.  But before you quit your day job out of frustration or boredom,  think about changing things up a bit with volunteering.  It will be easier on your wallet and add that “icing on the cake” without a drastic life move.  And you take away new skills, meet new “like-minded” friends and leave with a feeling of being needed, appreciated and productive.   If you’ve recently been laid off and are between jobs these benefits are even doubled!  So here’s how to get started . . .

What Feeds Your Heart & Soul?

Start with what you are passionate about. What puts a sparkle in your eyes and a spring in your step?  Maybe it’s animals; the environment; children; music/theater; art; the environment; schools; libraries; crisis services; food & housing . . . the list is huge.   Know that there are so many needs in our community that your time and energy will be very welcomed.  You may even wind up choosing a couple of opportunities.   Select 2-3 areas that you are passionate about to start researching.

Who’s Doing What?

Ask friends, family, work colleagues who they know who knows someone else that is doing volunteer work in these areas.  It’s like unraveling a ball of string.  Research what organizations are involved in your passion by looking in the paper, on-line . . . even on the bulletin boards at Starbucks.  You’ll be surprised how easy it is to tap into the volunteer and non-profit robust fast-moving network.

Call & Show Up!

Now contact the organizations you’re interested in.  One of the best resources is the RSVP program at UNR 775-784-1807.  They are a clearinghouse matching volunteers with dozens of needy organizations.  Also go on the Washoe County website and look for the volunteer sign-up form & list.  Sign up for something that stretches you a bit, challenges you and adds to your skills.  This is a great way to learn, grow, contribute and add that “icing to the cake”.

Then call and let me know how it went.  Even better meet me up on the Tahoe Rim trail.  We’ll do some clearing of brush and timbers!

Posted in Career Tips & Strategies, Personal Development | Tagged , , | 4 Comments