Jan. 27, 2023

So today I didn't get to go to class because my child was sick. Even though she is sick, it does not mean that I get to do nothing. It just means that I have a little bit extra to do today. 

Like writing this blog for class on my volunteer addiction topic of choice. So, everything being said “IT’S COOKIE SEASON!” and I volunteer as a tribute. There are many things I can say about volunteering with your family but let's start with cookies.  

This runs from the second week of January to the end of February. This ‘cookie season’ on the troop level consists of just the individual troops girls scouts and their volunteers. Each troop handles running its cookie business to the best of the individual troop's ability.

I do not get a break from that, no matter whether I'm in class or at home. I'm constantly having parents contact me or council contact me on cookies stuff. When it comes to the cookie manager, they not only volunteer to run the season. They are also volunteering for their family to be a part of the entire process.   

For instance, I picked up 38 cases on the way to class yesterday and another 29 cases today (that’s 804 boxes). Sick kid and laptop in tow today. On average I go to pick up cookies 2 times a week, for 6 weeks. 

Between picking up the cookies, going to class, homework, answering emails, making sure to have proper scout to adult ratios, keeping up with finances, securing booth locations and inventory for cookies . . . it's a lot of computer time. So, it goes everywhere with me these days. Makes it easy to blog actually. 

I started this journey back when I started my associates in 2016. Over the years I've mentioned several times that it's too much on top of the children, going to school and my husband constantly being called randomly away on orders. 

But here it is 2023 and I'm still cookie manager mom of my own free will. That continues to deal with everything because without me doing it, my daughter wouldn't have the opportunities that she has. I've always been taught by example. There is always a way to give back to the community without giving all of yourself.

Without the other parents stepping up and doing this as a volunteer position her scouting world wouldn't exist. Because of this way of thinking, I just can't say no to being there and doing whatever is asked to make things happen. So volunteering is a family adventure. 

For more information on how you or your family can help volunteer please check out the video and links below. 

February 7, 2023

This is a question that has gone back and forth in our house for years. Do the benefits that our children or family receive outweigh all obstacles or things we have to do? Do I really want to continue volunteering for this? Is it worth it to continue doing even if sometimes we are super stressed? These are all thoughts that happen to many volunteers with and without children. 

The benefits we as parents receive are the memories and moments of triumph. I watched my children go from young, shy and scared of the world around them into confident mature preteens. They have been able to do good for the community and learn about different cultures as a family. It is truly a gift to be able to teach your children philanthropy by example. 

It is not just the moments of triumph for our own family. I have watched individuals go from being afraid to speak up or talk in front of people to being accepted in a Corpus Christi ballet Nutcracker roll. She attributed that confidence to speaking up at cookie booths. No longer in our troop because now does full-time ballet outside of Dallas. What an amazing feat for her!

Not only do I get the ability to watch my own child grow into a confident well-rounded cultured individual. I get to see many young people do the same. This is truly why I do what I do. These are my benefits of parent volunteering. I relish the fact that someone benefits just because I gave a little bit of time to facilitate them. I am leading by example how I would like my children to treat the world around them.

It really isn't hard to volunteer. I don't come up with all of the stuff that is taught to the scouts (FRG and Scouts alike). I just teach the materials given to me by council or higher leadership. I also get to be the person who chaperones and be there answer their questions in the best way possible. As a volunteer, I do all of this to the best of my abilities. 

All of these things are what keep us volunteering together. This will be a lifelong adventure of learning and growing with each together. Every last single badge, loop and pin in the photo is a moment recorded of our family's personal adventure. That one photo holds 7 years of memories!

For more information on how you or your family can help volunteer please check out the video and links below.  

April 24, 2023

So this here is a very interesting topic and the answers to this question vary by person. That being said I have decided to introduce to our little community some of the local volunteers in the Coastal Bend area. For starters I chose my daughter Alyra and one of my best friends Kate.

Both of these ladies have volunteered for many years in their lives. Each with their own story on the How? Why? and Where? of their journey. One is a preteen and the other so in her heart. This will give every one of us a bit of insight from the different perspectives. 

Check out the An Interview with a Volunteer or Two video to learn more about Alyra and Kate's volunteer journey. One a young Girl Scout with a passion for change. The other a Desert Storm veteran with a passion for her country!

An Interview with a Volunteer or Two is a 5-minute video interview of 2 local volunteers as well as an ad for how to get into the Voluntexas game at a local Volunteer Recruitment Fair. I plan on continuing to interview local volunteers to learn more about their stories.

THIS IS NOT A PAID FOR OR SPONSERED VIDEO AD.