I don’t think I have ever mentioned this on the blog but I belong to a group called MOMS Club.(Actually I did, here is the group in CA Dim Sum Event) Its an international group, with each state, each city having its own little chapter. They are weekly playgroups, MNOs, charity work and all sorts of fun stuff. Its cheap,($20per year) and very helpful,especially when you move into a new area and want to know where the good preschools are or which doctors to avoid.
So for the last 2 years, I have been the Membership Vice President of the club. Basically, I coordinate open houses, do marketing, send the monthly calendars to potential members. I am the contact person, the one whose email the other moms give out to any one wanting to join the club. Its a fun position. I like doing it and agreed to do it again for this year. The board members meet once a month to plan the monthly calendar, organise stuff and other little details. It doesn’t take much of my time and I do everything via email and phone calls.
Last week, I was going around putting fliers about our upcoming open house with that little tear out thing at the bottom with my email on it. The Indian ladies then asked me, when they saw my name and email, what was the MOMS club all about. Their next question was Am I paid to do it. I am like NO. Its voluntarily.
“Then why you waste your time on it.”
What? I just shook my head and said its not a waste of time. And before I could elaborate further, Neil and Samar were trying to dive from the monkey bars to the sand pit and I ran to catch them before one of them fell. By the time I got back to the ladies, the topic had changed and I wasn’t interested in bringing it up again.
My question is do you guys volunteer? I do the VP thing and I was the Room Mom for Ashwina’s class last year.I organized 3 classroom parties, I collected class fund to buy a end of year gift for our teacher. Again, its not alot of work and I can do everything via email and phone calls. But yet, Ashwina’s teacher has a difficult time finding parents who are willing to help out in the class. She wanted someone to come in once a week to help in the classroom. I know people work and have kids and are in school, many many excuses. Heck I can throw my “I have 4 kids and no family around” card any time I want. I seldom do though.
So why is it so difficult to volunteer ? Is it because there is no money involved? Is it because people think its a waste of time to volunteer,working in your child’s classroom or at a Humane Society for abandoned pets? Isn’t the reward of working with your child in her classroom satisfaction enough? I have Back to School night for both girls and this year Avasha is insisting that I be her room mo because it was Ashwina’s turn last year. I know in her class, there are some really gungho moms who planned elaborate crafts for Halloween and don’t really need me. Ashwina’s class is the one I might volunteer again,just because I know no one else will…
I volunteer with three organizations, S and it is possible because I don’t have four kids!! You are doing the best you can … in fact, you’re doing better than atleast I could ever do in your situation. Good on ya!!
a little gift for u on me blog.
Me: You do a lot! I know that for a fact. And I know you will continue doing it even if you have *umm* twins or triplets! LOL
Well most people think that if you are doing something, you should be paid.
But i think is rewarding enough when u help out in yr kids class..And the pride that the kids have when other people ask Is that your mum??Awwwww…..
Some people are juz jealous.While they r not doing anything, you have so many other things to do…And able to juggle everything else
Me:Aww hugs to my youngest sister. Muaah
I think some people attach more importance to money, while others derive immense satisfaction from being able to to help out. The ones who want to earn vs. the ones who like to give: different mind-sets, really. I love to volunteer, although I don’t often commit my time now because of my little one. I used to volunteer much more before having children.
Me: I’m sure you will pick it up again once the kids are slighly older. And I guess you are right, if one is driven by money,then everything will be measured in that light only.
And that is a thought, S. For me right now, everything I do is either about my emotional satisfaction or earning some money. Somehow I’ve thought about volunteering, but it’s never happened. As I grow older and stabler, I’m running out of excuses not to.
Me: Well, you are young. Take that as your excuse!
Sunita, I think it is so great you volunteer to get to know other moms and to be involved in your children’s education. I volunteer in Olivia’s class and it’s always the same moms. To be honest, we have alot of families from India, Pakistan, middle East, etc. and I honestly see mostly white moms volunteering in the class. I wondered if it was a cultural difference, but I see how really involved you are and just don’t know the answer.
Volunteering has always been a part of my life since I was a teenager, I just like helping people I guess.
Me: I dont know whether it might be a cultural thing. Roop above does alot of volunteering stuff. I think its more of making an effort to join in. I know in Ashwina’s class, since we moved here, it always the same group of moms who will contrubute towards the year end gift or show to help at parties.
Ever since my mom’s tryst with breast cancer,I have been wanting to volunteer at the cancer wing of the hospitals in our neighborhood.And guess what?They did not want me on board simply because they already had too many volunteers for the cancer wing!
I have always been in awe of you.The grace with which you do everything and make it look so easy is just amazing!
Me: Thats too bad about them having too many volunteers. Maybe try some place else? And dont be in awe of me, most days I just barely make it through the day. My house is trashed, the kids look horrible, the toilets dirty * shudders*!!
wow that sounds like a fun thing to do. and yes, most people dont ‘get’ it. i have had that experience too! i have been involved in one thing or the other for as long as i can remember but find it so frustrating to motivate others to work with me!
Me: It can get frustrating. What can one do? What irks me more is that if you aren’t volunteering then why to pass comments? Shut your mouth then.