I know, I know, you have a busy life. Guess what? That shouldn’t stop you from volunteering or helping a cause that’s close to your heart. I work 40 hours a week, take a Kaplan LSAT course, look after my 91 year old grandmother, and try to have some semblance of a social life that doesn’t involve Twitter or Facebook. Despite all of that, I still volunteer.
The secret? Volunteering your strengths.
It might not seem like much, but I check the volunteer hotline for the German Shepherd Rescue of New England (GSRNE) twice a week. Max it takes about 20 minutes per week and it’s a job that someone has to do. Why shouldn’t that person be me?
Recently, I’ve thought of another way to give back. I offered to make/run a Twitter account for GSRNE. I have top-notch social media skills, I should be using them for good, right? Well, that’s what happened and that’s where you come in:
Please follow @GSRNE and/or RT some of my @GSRNE tweets. I just made the page today, so we could really use a better follower number to get some momentum going. (I don’t want people to look at our minuscule follower number, and think we’re spam!)
For the curious minds out there, I decided to volunteer with GSRNE because I am slightly obsessed with German shepherds. I’ve had them (one after another) for literally my entire life. Given the fact that they have been historically used as weapons (Nazi Germany, Civil Rights era, etc.), German shepherds have been falsely given a bad reputation. Consequently, German shepherds are often mistreated, falling into the hands of owners who want to use them as tools of intimidation, rather than sources of slobbery kisses. When I think of my sweet, cuddly, albeit huge, GSDs, the latter notion breaks my heart. Dogs are not bad, people make them bad. Between that and the current state of the economy, it’s not a very good time to be a GSD.
I’ve volunteered in various forms (doing PR, organizing volunteers, etc.) with GSRNE since 2008 and my experience with them has been nothing but wonderful. The other volunteers and board members are so friendly; they instantly made me feel welcome in the “GSRNE family.” What did you expect? Haha, they’re dog people! The events are fun (our annual fundraiser is coming up- April 29th) and there are always dogs there!
If you live in the New England area, please consider volunteering, fostering, or adopting! If not, again, please follow @GSRNE or RT us (you may have plenty of New England Tweeps)! You your tech prowess to help us out!
In the end, the point is to find something that you would love to donate your strengths to. Whether it’s baking, sewing, face painting, or Search Engine Optimization, something out there needs you! #GetOnIt –>
http://www.voa.org/
Volunteers of America!
This best dog I ever had was a German Shepard/ Labrador mix – named Huey! He was amazing! A great watchdog and protector that was very gentle. He once took a little boy’s hand in his mouth and led him back out to the road. He wasn’t letting this kid, who he didn’t know, come near his people. Didn’t growl or break the skin. Great dog!
Volunteering – the best. I’m working to find non-profits in my area right now to offer my social media skills to.
I drive elderly people to a lunch in the community room of our church and it is the most satisfying feeling. The people who attend are mostly 80+ years old and don’t get out much so apart from the meal the social interraction is great for them. I agree everyone should volunteer.
Good for you, Kelley! Will pass your message on!
Always love your German shepherd news and this is right up there as a really cool turn of events. I volunteer at the local school, coaching, and Zippy and Kipling have been the “unofficial” team mascots going on seven years now. German shepherds are misunderstood, or profiled, too much and seen in a negative light. They are the most sensitive of dogs though and would jump in front of a Canadian goose for me (see new Kipling report: goose patrol – GS promo LOL) — I will start to follow your organization on Twitter even though our parts of the country couldn’t be more distant. Love how you help.
I’m a long long way from New England but I’ll be happy to follow you, and I absolutely salute the work you’re doing for these lovely dogs. One of my dogs is a German Shepherd x Retriever – most intelligent dog I’ve ever had and a total sweetheart.