When Erica Butler moved to Charlotte last summer, she wanted to meet new friends and put some of her free time to good use. “I did a Google search for ‘volunteering in Charlotte’ and found Hands On Charlotte,” she said.
Erica was intrigued by HOC’s skills-based volunteer program, which matches specific interests and talents of volunteers with the needs of partner organizations in Charlotte. As a financial analyst, Erica was able to bring her database management experience and detail-oriented focus to the Community Development Department at Central Piedmont Community College.
CPCC had approached Hands On Charlotte for additional resources when, like many other educational institutions, the college lost staff positions due to budget reductions. Help was needed to coordinate the many volunteers who mentor CPCC students in the college’s GED program, draft newsletters to distribute to volunteers, and act as a liaison between volunteers and CPCC instructors.
Hands On Charlotte connected Erica with CPCC and she began her role in January. “It’s really nice to see the whole picture,” she said of her volunteer responsibilities in the mentoring program. “It was a way to do something meaningful and I like being involved.”
Although the SBV position is a one-year commitment, Erica said the flexibility of being able to volunteer her time in the evening, while at home, is an ideal role for a busy schedule.
Erica said she has already developed a new friendship with the staff at CPCC and is looking forward to getting to know the mentoring program’s volunteers.
You can sustain HOC’s ability to activate skilled volunteers and match them with our community’s needs. Consider a donation to our spring giving campaign.
Mark Boone
Board Member & Communications Volunteer
Hands On Charlotte
Sounds like Erica is a great fit for the position she was matched with and will begin to add value to the organization almost immediately. I look forward to reading more regarding both HOC’s and CPCC’s future endeavors and successes!
I read your posting with ineterst because I too have lots of satisfaction from Service. In the past, I was often perplexed by people who didn’t want to share this joy and they spoke of bad experiences and I spent some time trying to understand their point of view. Your posting rightly left out How it makes other people feel because that should never be a reason to offer Service. People who offer Service because it benefits others can feel hurt if it is not appreciated or if the person or group doesn’t recognize the Service. In many situations, Service is offered to people who are dependent not by choice and angry that they are forced to seek help. Having to face a volunteer who is looking for satisfaction from the receipient of Service is just another hurdle to getting help. When one gives Service, it should be because of the way it makes YOU feel, not because you expect gratitude, recognition or even acknowledgement. In fact, the best Service is offered anonymously. One of my favorite, easy to do, takes no time, simple pleasures is to use the cash only toll booths and pay for the random car behind me and speed away so that by the time the toll taker tells them they are paid for, I am out of sight. I imagine someone who may have been using their last few dollars to cross the bridge for a job interview or some such thing and all of sudden has a small windfall. It makes me feel good and I smile at people and spread my positive attitude to people around me.
I have been interested in using my skillsets on volunteer basis.
However, I haven’t been able to find any opportunities (as of late) that have a need for them. Can you advise?
Thank you,
Victoria
Victoria,
we continue to post new skilled opportunities, you can find under the Search Opportunities tab on the website. You can also email me at dougm@handsoncharlotte.org.
thanks!
doug
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