April is National Volunteer Month.
In celebration, the MCC Daily Tribune will feature the individual answers of more than 20 faculty and staff members to the question “ Why Do I Volunteer?” Some answers are short. Some are long. They are each as diverse as the people who’ve written them.
Why do I volunteer?
by Dr. Larry Tyree, MCC Interim President
I involve myself in my communities because I believe deeply in service and in reaching out a hand to others. I am a big believer in the United Way and over the years have gladly accepted leadership positions in the United Way of Alachua County (Florida), the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and the United Way of Bay County (Florida). Like no other organization, our country’s local United Ways focus our resources on the areas of greatest need and provide assurance to individuals that their investments are spent wisely.
However, there’s another reason -- one that some may consider a politically incorrect answer.
Community service is expected of higher education leaders and, frankly, community involvement pays dividends for the college I’m serving. The personal connections I have made through community service have helped connect the college to people and to organizations that can assist the college in meeting its mission. The Sunday, March 22 Democrat and Chronicle article, “Nonprofit boards a tight network” underscores my point.
So, if you are sitting on the community service sidelines because you are focused on your career, think about this: community service is key to your career.
It also can have a significant impact on your growth as a human being.
Community service has the potential to remind us of what is truly important in life. When I was serving as Chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, Donna and I found ourselves marking one Thanksgiving without family. So we celebrated the spirit of the season by helping to serve a meal at a local Salvation Army shelter. That experience has stuck with me as an impactful reminder of the true meaning of the holiday.
Why do I volunteer? I volunteer because the opportunity to serve others is an honor.
Janet Ekis
College and Community Relations
04/01/2009 |