Adam Grant says in his incredible book (Give and Take) that there are Takers, Matchers and Givers in this world. While that sounds kind of intuitive, he explains what that means to our everyday experience. Most importantly -and somewhat counter-intuitively- he explains that Givers are the most successful of the three. But! there are also two kinds of Givers: Selfish Givers and Otherish Givers. Selfish Givers don't manage their own lives and get stepped on and over. Otherish Givers take care of themselves and are able to tap into the infinite source of Giving and care that is their energy. I used to be a Selfish Giver and am stepping into the Otherish role. Here are some of those examples:
Natural History DocentOnce I got to Eugene, Oregon I immediately started volunteer training to be a docent for the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. I love it and have learned a ton not just about Oregon but about the processes of the Earth.
|
Art Museum DocentGiving to the Arts was a challenge for me as I am not an artist. When I found the Museum of Latin American Art's Docent Program was looking for potential docents I jumped on board and have been volunteering almost weekly since April 2013. Primarily I talk to elementary and middle school children about art but I also will deal with adults when I have to.
|
Blood and Platelet DonationSeveral years ago I started donating blood and have been doing so regularly since. I am fascinated by the system of tissue donation and believe that this is one of the best ways I can give back. Long Beach Memorial Hospital is where I go every 58 days for blood or every two weeks for platelets.
|
Technician VolunteeringI've got a whole page on the Technician volunteering I've done but for here it is sufficient to say that this is how I've worked on the following:
Patagonia conservation Hawaiian Fisheries research Bighorn Sheep Saguaro Carnivore work New Zealand wetland and duck work 
|
San Diego ZooWhen I got to San Diego I immediately started volunteering for the Zoo as an Information Ambassador. It was great and I seriously enjoyed helping the Zoo audience. But what I really loved was helping out with conservation projects. I got to help with Pacific Pocket Mice and on a Citizen Science Research project for Spectacled Bear and Polar Bear physiology.
|
WebsitesMuch like this site, I have built several sites for friends and causes.
Pelecanus.org ReggieVerduzco.com AustinDParker.com HarrisonAParker.com WhitneyGraves.com GlobalChoices3e.org AgeOfEmpathy.com MoLAADocents.org |
Conservation WritingWriting for the Endangered Species Coalition
|
Adaptive RecreationEugene, Oregon Adaptive Recreation volunteer
|