DAR Continental Congress

I left on the redeye, June 23 for Washington DC. The Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress was scheduled for the end of the week, and I had the opportunity to be a page. Pages dress in white and work as volunteers in a variety of ways during Congress. I have been a page at our State Conference for the last three years, but paging at Congress is bigger.

This year was an election year, with a new President General and Executive Board being chosen. Over the course of Congress, more than 3800 people attended various functions, and there were more than 250 pages from around the world on hand. You get the idea that it takes many hands to make everything run smoothly.

The official Congress hotel was the J.W. Marriott on Pennsylvania Ave. That meant about a 15 minute walk to Constitution Hall and Memorial Continental Hall. These two buildings were built a hundred years ago, and later were "joined" by the administration building. The DAR National Headquarters sits on a city block that is entirely owned by the DAR. It's pretty amazing that the founders and early members had the foresight to purchase the land, build the buildings and keep it in working order for so long.

It was such a busy week that I didn't do much sightseeing. The Washington Monument is surrounded by scaffolding due to earthquake damage. I think it looks pretty cool.

But we did tour the National Cathedral. It's really beautiful.

The Moon Rock Window

It was a great week. I met lots of people and had lots of fun. And came home very tired on June 30.

Volunteering - Pay it Forward

Tonight I returned to a project I've been involved with for about ten years now - teacher CPR and First Aid classes for the American Red Cross. I admit my initial decision to teach these classes was kind of selfish. As a substitute teacher in some districts, I was required to have my CPR and first aid certification. At $40 a year, I wasn't exactly keen on keeping that current. My solution was to volunteer to teach, and it's been a great experience. Until I moved south four years ago I was a very regular volunteer instructor, teaching classes every month. Living on the coast, I only taught occasionally. Tonight's class was the first I'd taught since I moved back here over a year ago.

This coming Saturday is a Day of Service; one of those days that is labeled in hopes of getting people out into the community, to do some work to benefit the community and to build community. I think it's a great idea, but I really feel that volunteerism has to last all year long. It doesn't have to be huge, all encompassing projects. Interaction with others has so many benefits both for the volunteer and the recipient. Find a niche, make some effort and you'll find that it really does pay forward.

Do a Little....

Strange title, I know. Yesterday our advisor activity at school focused on doing good for others. We have a very animated discussion about how teenagers kind of have a bad reputation for being selfish. Of course those of us who work with teenagers know they can be the kindest or cruelest people, depending on their momentary mood.

I encourage volunteerism. I think it's important for people to give back to their communities, and to do it without an external need for recognition. That doesn't mean I don't believe that "Thank You" can't go a long ways, or is too much to ask. My volunteer work is wrapped up in my job (teachers do a lot of volunteer work!)and the Red Cross. But I also know how difficult it is to schedule that volunteer work with the hectic lives many of us lead. This afternoon I got an email about a quick and easy way to help a variety of causes: Breast Cancer, Hunger, Literacy, Child Health, Rainforests, Animal Rescue. It's simple. Go to the Click to Give website and click every day. It's really worth a few minutes of your time.

Christmas Lights

Every year one of the local parks is all lit up. It started several years ago by one man, and has evolved into an impressive display coordinated by its own committee. Different areas are sponsored by local businesses and the ticket booths are manned by groups of volunteers. Last night that was up to the high school staff. During my two hour shift I counted over 250 people entering. The price of admission is $1 for anyone over the age of 12. There's also a snack stand with cider, cocoa and other goodies. And last night Santa was attendance.

First Aid Class

I started out teaching First Aid and CPR classes for the American Red Cross for selfish reasons; I needed to keep my card current, and as a substitute teacher for many years I had to pay for the class. It was easier to volunteer, and it's been fun interacting with adults. They learn differently from kids. And face it, after a day with teenagers, I'm ready for some adult conversation. But I've really come to believe that everyone should have some working knowledge of what to do in an emergency. We don't live in a bubble, and bad things happen often.

For more information about services offered by the American Red Cross, check out their website. http://www.redcross.org

Extreme Makeover:Home Edition

It's been a very hectic week. I spent my days helping with the facilitation and coordination of volunteers in this area for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (yes, I mean the tv show). We had so many people who wanted to help and a limited number of positions. People can get very cranky when they don't get what they want. It's exhausting, and it pushes my buttons because this entire project was NOT ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS! It's about a family whose home adversely impacted the health of their children. Sorry. Had to state that.

I finally got out the site on Friday evening. The old house was demoed on Monday, and by the time I got there the completed house had already been turned over to the production company for decor and furniture. Let me tell you it's beautiful. And since boxes needed to be moved in, I got to go inside. Otherwise I hauled ice, restocked coolers, and generally did what needed doing. I'm glad I did it.