The Best question I was ever asked?

I have the opportunity with my job to visit with the entire community.  One of my favorite interactions is with High School students as they still have the opinion that they can ask anything.  Sometimes I can be surprised with what comes out of the "mouth of babes".  As my children are well past High School, I am allowed to call them "babes".  To me they appear to be very young.
During a presentation to a Leadership Class, I allowed as always questions from the students.   
By far the Best question
I have ever been asked was "what would you say is the thing that you have been involved with that has made the most difference?"  It actually took me a few seconds to come up with an answer to a question I have never been asked before.  Hundreds of meetings, events, partnerships, etc went flying through my head.  What would be the most "what I would consider - the most impact on the community"?  I would have to admit this was a difficult question.  What if I said something wrong, made someone upset that I did not pick their project, left out a memory.... 
My answer: 
The community partnership (I use this term because to me it matters most how many are involved as well as affected by the project) that I feel has made the most difference in our community is what began as the Crystal Darkness viewing in January of 2009 and has grown to become a community coalition (Pontotoc County Drug Free Coalition "aka" PDCFC).  The original viewing found a standing room only crowd and continues to invite the entire community to partner on events.  Everyone is affected by substance abuse; if not directly, then by the community as a whole.  I explained that the Step Out of the Darkness event (which at this time had not occurred) would prove to be an interesting opportunity to see if the community continues to embrace the subject of prevention of substance abuse as well as the celebration of those in recovery.

If you had the opportunity to attend the Crystal Darkness event, January 2009, any PCDFC meeting, recovery celebration event, Reality Party and/or the Step Out of the Darkness event, I would say that most likely you would agree with me that this one community partnership has had the most affect on our entire community....and it continues to affect the entire community.

If you have never attended any of these events, I challenge you to do so. You will be surprised at how little you actually knew about substance abuse prevention and recovery - I was!

Where should I volunteer my time?

If you have ever asked yourself this question, you are certainly not alone!  Many wishing to volunteer really have no idea where to begin.  

My suggestions:

1.  What interests you most?

 You will only be a great volunteer if you spend your time on something that you really enjoy. Please look into what you are volunteering for before you jump into the task.

2.  How much time do you really have to give?

No one can give 100% to volunteering because let's be honest; a person only has 100%.  Think about realistically how much time you can give.

3.  What do you want to get out of your volunteerism?

Know what you are looking for before signing up.  Do you want a good feeling following your volunteer experience to continue by being able to actually see what you did?  Then find something that is physically tangible; i.e. building something, painting something, etc.  If you are fulfilled with only having the idea that what you did helping those in need; find a "behind the scenes" volunteer opportunity.  This is one that you may never truly know how you impacted, but know that you tried.

How do you find a volunteer opportunity?

Well, I can help with that!

Please visit the Ada Regional United Way website at www.adaunitedway.org click on the volunteer box at the top of the home page and view the opportunities.  These may be displayed as detailed opportunities or they may be very vague.  Either way, if the description peaks your interest, please express your interest.  This online volunteer site will connect to my e-mail account and I will follow up with more details for you.

How will you know what is best for your time?

Only you know that answer to that question.  However, if you don't even begin a search, how will you make this decision?

Get involved, volunteer!

Why is it so difficult to receive an award, but not a challenge at all to give an award?

Why is it so difficult to receive an award, but not a challenge at all to give an award?

I have been asking myself this question since I was honored Tuesday evening with an Exemplary Community Involvement award. This award was presented to me by by the Brandon Whitten Institute for Addition & Recovery at East Central University.

I have the opportunity to present awards to community members all the time.  I love to recognize those who make our local area a better place in which to live.

I don't mind at all accepting an award on behalf of Ada Regional United Way or one of the many community coalitions that I am involved in.  If fact, quite the contrary, I love accepting awards on behalf of others.

I don't feel like I "deserve" any recognition because I am simply doing my job that I love.

I heard a comment on the radio this morning, not intended to make a difference to me, but it did.  We all need to learn to receive as much as we can give.  HUM?

I do not think I am the only person today in need of this comment.  There are so many folks in our area that don't think the little things to them make a big difference to someone else.

That being said, I would like to say how humbled I was to be recognized for what I consider to be my job and think of as little things I do.  Each and every day I view the lovely framed certificate in my office will remind me once again that we know not what impact we make on someone or the entire community each and every day.  I am proud to be able to have a job that I love and that can make an impact each and every day.

Campaign Thermometer as of 09.19.11

compared to this time last year....

Our United Way campaign goal was $250,000 and on this date one year ago, we are at a total of $81,781.40.  What a great way to view our community support for our 14 member agencies directly funded by local contributions and our community partnerships.

We will continue accepting donations/pledges for the 2012 Campaign until 12.31.11.

Thank you!

Step out of the Darkness event

So many wonderful things are happening in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma now, it is difficult to find time to stop and recognize them.

I spent most of Saturday with community members celebrating the recovery from substance abuse.

Everyone in our community is affected by those in recovery.  No matter what your "walk in life" you are indirectly affected.  Take a minute and think about it.

Find out how to get involved in our community by opening your eyes and ears.  Information can be found in so many places these days; local newspaper, local radio, Face Book, Twitter, etc.  If you are not sure where to begin, follow LatriciaB on Twitter or like Ada Regional United Way of Face Book.  If you are not on either, simply visit www.adaunitedway.org and keep a watch on the Twitter Feed.  As much as possible, I post what is going on in Pontotoc County via this option.

Get involved....make a difference!