At last month’s business meeting, SITK members returned their completed talent survey forms. The results supplied the club with a list of talents we each posses so we can proceed to help with the DiscoverME workshops and future community service projects.
The survey process wandered like a vine in my brain. What if there was a survey of why members join Soroptimist? What if we knew what members thought were the benefits? Is there a similar thread?
My musings got serious fertilizer when I read about two recent studies showing how you can live a longer healthier life.
An American Geriatrics Society (AGS) study showed that volunteers had less than half the risk of death than their non-volunteer peers. The study, including over 6,300 people, controlled data to account for demographics, socioeconomic status, chronic health conditions, etc. Only 12% of volunteers in the study died during the study’s timeframe compared to 26% who did not volunteer.
SITK members voluntarily give back to our community working on our service projects. We’ve known how good it makes us feel to give back. We contribute to the betterment of our community, the world, and our own lives.
Earlier this year, an Australian study had substantiated the importance of friendship and social networks. A similar Harvard report showed strong social ties promote brain health. A note from the article said that friendship has ‘an even greater effect on health than a spouse or family member.’ SITK provides women an great opportunity to develop friendships and expand our social networks.
With healthcare being such a hot topic, you can now let all other women how you’ve discovered a secret to longevity – Joining Soroptimist.
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Circle of Life
Lately I’ve sure felt like life is one big circle. My daughter’s shows me the ‘new’ handbag styles or cute clothes and I’m remembering the clothes and purses I had in high school and college. Our college student asks me to checkout a ‘new’ tune and it’s either a remake by a young artist or one of my favorites from 25+ years ago.
While our President hasn’t personally contacted me to say, ‘Check this out, Gretchen,’ his message reminds me of an attitude that I was surrounded by at a very young age. There’s even the charm and smooth speaking style; the actions showing acceptance of all levels of people, not just the well-to-do. But what impresses me most, is the encouragement for all to become involved, to serve, where we live. That hasn’t been ‘in’ since the Peace Corp!
As a young adult, I met another man who got me involved in my community. If I wanted change, I had to do something constructive about it. There were NO excuses. The first time I was asked to help he needed a large batch of baked beans for a fundraiser (regardless of the fact I’d never cooked or eaten them), “so open a cookbook and figure it out!”
I’m a firm believer in taking action; no idle commentary. By joining my local Soroptimist club I made a commitment to help my community. I’ll offer my talents and skills to help others. I hope I add to my talents and skills too – I want to learn new things from others as we accomplish our goals. I hope that I leave an impression on at least three other people also, so that they too continue the circle by serving others.
While our President hasn’t personally contacted me to say, ‘Check this out, Gretchen,’ his message reminds me of an attitude that I was surrounded by at a very young age. There’s even the charm and smooth speaking style; the actions showing acceptance of all levels of people, not just the well-to-do. But what impresses me most, is the encouragement for all to become involved, to serve, where we live. That hasn’t been ‘in’ since the Peace Corp!
As a young adult, I met another man who got me involved in my community. If I wanted change, I had to do something constructive about it. There were NO excuses. The first time I was asked to help he needed a large batch of baked beans for a fundraiser (regardless of the fact I’d never cooked or eaten them), “so open a cookbook and figure it out!”
I’m a firm believer in taking action; no idle commentary. By joining my local Soroptimist club I made a commitment to help my community. I’ll offer my talents and skills to help others. I hope I add to my talents and skills too – I want to learn new things from others as we accomplish our goals. I hope that I leave an impression on at least three other people also, so that they too continue the circle by serving others.
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