I was driving home, feeling a bit smug. I’d just purchased Valentines for people special to me – and I had days to spare before mailing them. The news started with several stories about charitable causes: a recent local adoption, churches collecting items for Haitians, Katrina successes.
Earlier in the week the US Bureau of Labor Statistics had reported 26.8% of our population over 16 years old gave unpaid time through or for an organization. The median amount of time given was an hour each week.
Compare that to 75% of Americans contribute to charity, giving about 3% of their income annually, according to givingisgood.com. A national United Way spokesperson said the average family contributes $250/yr.
The Labor Bureau’s survey indicated the main recipients of volunteer time are social and community service organizations. Statistics indicated the most likely person to volunteer was (drum roll, please) a married, college-educated woman in her 30s or40s, with children, and employed.
Why a drum roll? As a member of Soroptimist International of Topeka (SITK), I’m interested in finding women interested in community service projects to improve the lives of women and girls in our community and throughout the world. SITK has been serving our community since 1931. Visit us on Facebook to see what we’ve been up to and how much fun we have. You’ll want to join us.
The United Way spokesperson had commented that he’d like to change ‘give until it hurts’ to ‘give until it feels good.’ Another person put a more positive spin on the idea, ‘invest your time and energy until you feel good.’ Or the aged verse from I Corinthians: “And now stays faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Showing posts with label soroptimist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soroptimist. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Health Plan - Have Friends!
Women have valued friendship for years. Thanks to a 10-year study in Australia we know that friendships predict longevity better than close family ties and boost our health.
In a nutshell, they identified ‘types’ of friendships: a childhood friend, a new friend, a workout friend, a spiritual friend, a younger friend, a partner’s friends, your mom, yourself. [For more information about the study, check the current issue of ‘Prevention.’]
Only a few of you can claim to be my childhood friend since I lived in a town with less than 600 people until I was 12. Maybe because of that background and secure environment, I wasn’t afraid to talk to people, find a common interests, and make friends.
As a mother my interests and time were limited to work, immediate family, and school for a few years. Believe me there were times this genuinely frustrated me. I craved the contact with other adults and different perspectives on events, fashion, or just the world in general.
Just about a year ago I visited a women’s service organization here in Topeka. While the women in the group have varied social, professional, and educational backgrounds, we have a common thread of interest in working to improve the lives of girls and women. I have gained friends of various levels of interest by joining them.
Working on our service projects, I have come to know more layers of another mother. We have been acquainted for at least six years, but because we’ve discussed different aspects of Soroptimist service projects I learned we are both concerned about some of the same issues. I think we found a bond besides our children.
Because of Soroptimist I also gained some younger friends – outside of moms from where my kids go to school and away from the office. It’s valuable to get the perspective of a younger woman (whom you’re not related to) when you want an honest opinion on how you look or need advice on working your iPod (when the kids have told you until they no longer have patience), or how to let your phone complete the text instead of typing individual letters! That alone lowered my blood pressure.
This time of year many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. If your resolution is to improve your health, the most fun way I can think of is to make more friends. I’ll introduce you to some of mine at a Soroptimist meeting!
In a nutshell, they identified ‘types’ of friendships: a childhood friend, a new friend, a workout friend, a spiritual friend, a younger friend, a partner’s friends, your mom, yourself. [For more information about the study, check the current issue of ‘Prevention.’]
Only a few of you can claim to be my childhood friend since I lived in a town with less than 600 people until I was 12. Maybe because of that background and secure environment, I wasn’t afraid to talk to people, find a common interests, and make friends.
As a mother my interests and time were limited to work, immediate family, and school for a few years. Believe me there were times this genuinely frustrated me. I craved the contact with other adults and different perspectives on events, fashion, or just the world in general.
Just about a year ago I visited a women’s service organization here in Topeka. While the women in the group have varied social, professional, and educational backgrounds, we have a common thread of interest in working to improve the lives of girls and women. I have gained friends of various levels of interest by joining them.
Working on our service projects, I have come to know more layers of another mother. We have been acquainted for at least six years, but because we’ve discussed different aspects of Soroptimist service projects I learned we are both concerned about some of the same issues. I think we found a bond besides our children.
Because of Soroptimist I also gained some younger friends – outside of moms from where my kids go to school and away from the office. It’s valuable to get the perspective of a younger woman (whom you’re not related to) when you want an honest opinion on how you look or need advice on working your iPod (when the kids have told you until they no longer have patience), or how to let your phone complete the text instead of typing individual letters! That alone lowered my blood pressure.
This time of year many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. If your resolution is to improve your health, the most fun way I can think of is to make more friends. I’ll introduce you to some of mine at a Soroptimist meeting!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Fantasy v- Reality
Maria Shriver and Christie Hefner were recently interviewed on NBC about how women are portrayed in the media. Check NBC online for information.
You may ask why as a Soroptimist, or as a woman, should I be concerned about the results. Here are some of the facts:
US Dept of labor’s 2008 statistics indicate the top five jobs women hold: secretaries and administrative assistants, registered nurses, elementary and middle school teachers, cashiers and retail sales. Life isn’t so accurately reflected on TV where women and girls get the impression that motivated females balance family, career, and social needs with every problem solved in one or two episodes.
Even attempts at no-frills, middle income American women portray women in a less than favorable light. Definitely an unrealistic portrait. Today’s women generally appear silly, almost dumb and dependent on the attractive male partner or boss. The only exception I could think of right now is ‘Ugly Betty’ as struggling to become independent.
I have pondered these issues before since I have a daughter. I thought maybe I was highly sensitive since I was a product of the ‘70s when we looked to Mary Tyler Moore and Billy Jean King as barrier breakers.
When we looked at the Dove Project, then decided to work as a club with the YWCA’s DiscoverME programs, it made me realize that we - mothers, aunts, grandmas, working women – are responsible for seeing that the youngest generation have good role models to build on. The desire to be just like Meredith Gray, Lynnette Scavo, or Temperance Bones isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but girls need real women to temper the fantasy and support them through the real life challenges/choices they’ll face before they achieve those dreams.
We, the working women of the 21st Century, must help guide, support, mentor, and encourage those who will come behind us. Instead of a year where the first woman wins a Noble Prize, we'll be celebrating the successes of many!
You may ask why as a Soroptimist, or as a woman, should I be concerned about the results. Here are some of the facts:
US Dept of labor’s 2008 statistics indicate the top five jobs women hold: secretaries and administrative assistants, registered nurses, elementary and middle school teachers, cashiers and retail sales. Life isn’t so accurately reflected on TV where women and girls get the impression that motivated females balance family, career, and social needs with every problem solved in one or two episodes.
Even attempts at no-frills, middle income American women portray women in a less than favorable light. Definitely an unrealistic portrait. Today’s women generally appear silly, almost dumb and dependent on the attractive male partner or boss. The only exception I could think of right now is ‘Ugly Betty’ as struggling to become independent.
I have pondered these issues before since I have a daughter. I thought maybe I was highly sensitive since I was a product of the ‘70s when we looked to Mary Tyler Moore and Billy Jean King as barrier breakers.
When we looked at the Dove Project, then decided to work as a club with the YWCA’s DiscoverME programs, it made me realize that we - mothers, aunts, grandmas, working women – are responsible for seeing that the youngest generation have good role models to build on. The desire to be just like Meredith Gray, Lynnette Scavo, or Temperance Bones isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but girls need real women to temper the fantasy and support them through the real life challenges/choices they’ll face before they achieve those dreams.
We, the working women of the 21st Century, must help guide, support, mentor, and encourage those who will come behind us. Instead of a year where the first woman wins a Noble Prize, we'll be celebrating the successes of many!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friendships and volunteering lengthen life
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.
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.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
3 Degrees of Happiness?
An early 1990’s movie was based on the theory that everyone on earth is only six people away from knowing everyone else.
Now a couple British social scientists have studied thousands of people to show that happiness is contagious! The study, published last winter in a medical journal, suggest happiness spreads from person to person up to three people out. It is contagious through our social networks – neighbors, friends, family and relatives, coworkers, church members – shaping what we do and how we feel.
In the lyrics of a song, whose artist and title escape me, it says “Take a hand everybody and show you’re proud. There is happiness to be.” Thinking of the happiness study, it made me think how Soroptimist members take the hand (to serve) of women and girls in our community.
Think how many different ways that ripples out with happiness.
From personal experience, there’s the happiness I feel when working on a project with other women – seeing our positive action make something better. We’re all working together so we achieve more than I could by myself.
Then there is the happiness the work brings to others. Hopefully when the shelter residents get our care bags, it brightens their day. The organizations that get our donated linens are less stressed about providing for their clients and they are happier. I’m sure the WOA recipients are happier when they learn we’ll help their educational efforts.
Next because those folks are happier, I hope they spread it on to someone else. Maybe that happiness leads to them having the confidence to start a new job, finish school, or use their talents to help someone else.
Our community service committee is taking a survey of talents. It’s a good time to reflect on all our personal talents, things we can be happy about, and think how we can use those to spread happiness in our own network!
Now a couple British social scientists have studied thousands of people to show that happiness is contagious! The study, published last winter in a medical journal, suggest happiness spreads from person to person up to three people out. It is contagious through our social networks – neighbors, friends, family and relatives, coworkers, church members – shaping what we do and how we feel.
In the lyrics of a song, whose artist and title escape me, it says “Take a hand everybody and show you’re proud. There is happiness to be.” Thinking of the happiness study, it made me think how Soroptimist members take the hand (to serve) of women and girls in our community.
Think how many different ways that ripples out with happiness.
From personal experience, there’s the happiness I feel when working on a project with other women – seeing our positive action make something better. We’re all working together so we achieve more than I could by myself.
Then there is the happiness the work brings to others. Hopefully when the shelter residents get our care bags, it brightens their day. The organizations that get our donated linens are less stressed about providing for their clients and they are happier. I’m sure the WOA recipients are happier when they learn we’ll help their educational efforts.
Next because those folks are happier, I hope they spread it on to someone else. Maybe that happiness leads to them having the confidence to start a new job, finish school, or use their talents to help someone else.
Our community service committee is taking a survey of talents. It’s a good time to reflect on all our personal talents, things we can be happy about, and think how we can use those to spread happiness in our own network!
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.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Go round in circles
“…I've got a song, I ain't got no melody
I' ma gonna sing it to my friends
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky …”~ Billy Preston
I visited s Soroptimist meeting tonight. A friend had invited me a couple of months ago, but this was the first night the scheduling ‘fit.’
When I was invited they didn’t know I’d received financial assistance from another chapter over 30 years ago that helped me pay for college textbooks. What I didn’t know ahead of time was tonight they were announcing this year’s local recipient of the same assistance. They also discovered that another applicant for the reward had a letter of recommendation from a local professor who’d also been helped by the organization.
I’m amazed where we find those circles. The middle school teachers ‘wished’ for calculators and two donors stepped forward. Those calculators will not only help the 50+ students that use them this semester, that will ripple out as those students grow up and are active in our community. Someone helped them, gave them the right tools and they in turn, will have math skills and life skills to help someone else!
The circles get bigger, more entwined. I’m not an engineer, but I see strength in how those circles continue to reach out and support other women in our community. And that DOES fill my heart with a song that has no melody. That’s why I sung it for you, my friends!
I' ma gonna sing it to my friends
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky …”~ Billy Preston
I visited s Soroptimist meeting tonight. A friend had invited me a couple of months ago, but this was the first night the scheduling ‘fit.’
When I was invited they didn’t know I’d received financial assistance from another chapter over 30 years ago that helped me pay for college textbooks. What I didn’t know ahead of time was tonight they were announcing this year’s local recipient of the same assistance. They also discovered that another applicant for the reward had a letter of recommendation from a local professor who’d also been helped by the organization.
I’m amazed where we find those circles. The middle school teachers ‘wished’ for calculators and two donors stepped forward. Those calculators will not only help the 50+ students that use them this semester, that will ripple out as those students grow up and are active in our community. Someone helped them, gave them the right tools and they in turn, will have math skills and life skills to help someone else!
The circles get bigger, more entwined. I’m not an engineer, but I see strength in how those circles continue to reach out and support other women in our community. And that DOES fill my heart with a song that has no melody. That’s why I sung it for you, my friends!
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