Did you arrive at your previous leadership position the first day, or even the first year, on the job? Volunteering should not be just about bolstering an ego that might be taking a hit when people are no longer treating you like the boss or you need to fill empty hours; it should also have an element of generosity and that might mean starting at the bottom of a new totem pole. If you are volunteering in an area where you have valuable expertise it will be discovered eventually.
A New Beginning by Joan Lesser
March 5, 2014 by ElderChicks
6 Responses
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I believe that in some instances rather than volunteering, an experienced professional with expertise in her field would be better off working a day or so a week or its equivalent. In that way, the person maintains her credibility, her expertise is appreciated and utilized to its potential, and both the person and organization benefit.
Excellent comment about volunteering, Joan. I was a volunteer director of a major hospital before I retired. We had 450 volunteers whom we interviewed and assigned to various positions. Many were retired department heads and business owners; most were well educated. We stressed the “giving” part to volunteers, the caring and importance about the work they did, and if they had an ego, it was to be left at home. They would be expected to work side by side with other volunteers, some of whom had basic or very little education. The “egotists” had to learn to get along with everyone. They were able to work in various departments, finding positions they enjoyed most. Excellent patient care as well as maintaining a smoothly run medical center, was the goal of volunteers as well as employees. We all worked together. Many times the expertise of those who had led management positions in their former lives, was utilized by adding ideas and suggestions in departmental meetings. If an egotist was unhappy and “unfulfilled” by volunteering in a hospital setting, they discovered it soon enough, and moved on. On average, 95% of our volunteers worked with us for many, many years. Most discovered the good feeling you receive when you help others by giving of yourself..
So well put! Thank you.
I really like it whenever people come together
and share thoughts. Great blog, keep it up!
Many times families feel that home care services is the last resort for there loved ones. With the right care giver most of the elderly find it something to look forward to. Its can provide a means of companionship and entertainment , Its not just babysitting anymore
Home care can be excellent, mediocre, or terrible, depending upon the skills, education, attitude, and supervision of the workers. Unfortunately, home care workers are among the lowest paid in the work force. Low compensation doesn’t usually attract the most adept people. It’s a tricky business, with some people using others’ credentials, etc. The best route to go is with a credentialed agency, which is the most expensive as well. Even then the quality of live in home care workers is uneven. One can go through a lifetime of savings and much more during the process of employing home care aides. If it’s essential there’s little alternative, except for a nursing home.