RowCal’s Post

What is the right age to introduce volunteering to our kids? The recent flooding here in Valencia has devastated so many families, and it’s had me thinking about when—and how—to involve my boys in volunteering. At 4 and 7, they’re naturally curious and eager to learn, but volunteering introduces big ideas to children around suffering and responsibility. Volunteering isn’t just about pitching in; it’s about understanding others’ struggles and learning to step outside of our own bubble. I want my kids to experience what it means to help others, but I also wonder: When can kids start to neurologically understand empathy, rather than just imitate it? At what age do they really grasp what it means to be fortunate, or to give without expecting anything in return? How can we use volunteering experiences to build a foundation of gratitude and perspective? How do we balance introducing them to these experiences while still letting them be kids? And how do we help them understand that sometimes just showing up makes a difference? I’d love to hear how others have introduced volunteering to their children. At what age and in what ways? Let’s share ideas for raising a generation that understands empathy, connection, and community. #volunteering #parenting #community #empathy #raisingkids #fatherhood #dads #leadership

Are you taking good care of yourself these days? Volunteering feeds the soul, mind, and body. Taking time helping to prepare items for a food distribution event, walking a shelter dog, listening to a child read, putting a jigsaw puzzle together with someone trapped by dementia, painting a forgotten classroom, introducing leadership to kids through sports, and on and on ... opens your world to what is and what could be through the simple act of volunteering. With volunteering, you take the chance of forgetting about yourself and focusing on the wellbeing of others. Sounds delightful doesn't it? Leadership After Dark believes that every community benefits when we all lean in to help each other. + Kids see their parents through a different lens. + Neighbors get to know more about your than when you mow the lawn each week. + Community leaders note your presence and will inevitably seek your participation in their efforts as well increasing your connections and friendships. Volunteering benefits us in so many ways. Why not jump in with the rest of us and see how delightful the experience(s) can be? Need help finding a fit in volunteering at any level especially serving on the board of a nonprofit organization? We can help with that: https://lnkd.in/ehA3SdX9 Deborah Macfarlan Enright, Ed.D. and Ellyn Jansen Where will you volunteer before the summer closes and the fall begins? Please leave your thoughts below. You will help others find new ways to destress and deliver impact in the community. #godogood #leadershipafterdark #volunteer #health #healthyways #nonprofit #socialimpact #leadershipdevelopment #civicleadership #volunteerleadership

The Benefits of Volunteering Volunteering is more than just giving your time—it’s about making a meaningful connection with your community, supporting causes you care about, and creating positive change. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to volunteer in various capacities, from supporting families as Vice-President of the Peel Children’s Aid Foster Parent Association to serving as Chairperson for the 800 Black Forest Squadron Sponsoring Committee. These roles have been incredibly fulfilling, allowing me to meet inspiring people, advocate for those in need, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen our community. Volunteering doesn’t just benefit others—it transforms you. It builds skills, fosters empathy, and gives you a sense of purpose that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. It’s a reminder that even small actions can have a ripple effect, creating a larger impact than we ever imagined. If you’ve been thinking about volunteering but aren’t sure where to start, I encourage you to explore local organizations that align with your values. Whether you can give a few hours a month or commit to a leadership role, your time and effort can make a real difference. Let’s celebrate the power of volunteering and the incredible volunteers who give so much of themselves to make the world a better place. What are some causes you’re passionate about supporting? Let’s inspire each other! #Volunteering #Community #MakingADifference #GiveBack

Giving comes in many forms—your time, your skills, or even just a kind word. Today, we reflect on the true essence of volunteering. It's not always about grand gestures, but about showing up consistently, with passion and empathy. Volunteering teaches us humility, reminds us that we all have a role to play in shaping a better society. Have you ever thought about how much a simple act of kindness could mean to someone else? Join us today in spreading love, compassion, and understanding. #Mondaymotivation #ActOfKindness #VolunteerWisdom #VolunteerPlatform #GiveBack #PurposeDriven #CommunityBuilders #NigeriaVolunteers

Volunteering: The Gift That Keeps On Giving As we navigate our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in our own priorities and forget the impact we can have on others. Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference, and it benefits not only the causes we care about but also ourselves! By volunteering, we: - Gain new skills and experiences - Expand our networks and connections - Enhance our mental and emotional well-being - Develop a fresh perspective and gratitude - Inspire others and create a ripple effect of kindness Let's make a positive impact and invest in our communities. Let's volunteer and watch how it transforms our lives and the lives of those around us! #Volunteering #GivingBack #CommunityFirst #PersonalGrowth #KindnessMatters"

How you feed your mind, body, and spirit is important - and easily neglected. Volunteering feeds the soul, mind, and body. Taking time helping to prepare items for a food distribution event, walking a shelter dog, listening to a child read, putting a jigsaw puzzle together with someone trapped by dementia, painting a forgotten classroom, introducing leadership to kids through sports, and on and on ... opens your world to what is and what could be through the simple act of volunteering. With volunteering, you take the chance of forgetting about yourself and focusing on the wellbeing of others. Sounds delightful doesn't it? Leadership After Dark believes that every community benefits when we all lean in to help each other. + Kids see their parents through a different lens. + Neighbors get to know more about your than when you mow the lawn each week. + Community leaders note your presence and will inevitably seek your participation in their efforts as well increasing your connections and friendships. Volunteering benefits us in so many ways. Why not jump in with the rest of us and see how delightful the experience(s) can be? Need help finding a fit in volunteering at any level especially serving on the board of a nonprofit organization? We can help with that: https://lnkd.in/ehA3SdX9 Deborah Macfarlan Enright, Ed.D. and Ellyn Jansen Where will you volunteer before the summer closes and the fall begins? Please leave your thoughts below. You will help others find new ways to de-stress and deliver impact in the community. #godogood #leadershipafterdark #volunteer #health #healthyways #nonprofit #socialimpact #leadershipdevelopment #civicleadership #volunteerleadership

Volunteering: The Gift That Keeps On Giving As we navigate our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in our own priorities and forget the impact we can have on others. Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference, and it benefits not only the causes we care about but also ourselves! By volunteering, we: - Gain new skills and experiences - Expand our networks and connections - Enhance our mental and emotional well-being - Develop a fresh perspective and gratitude - Inspire others and create a ripple effect of kindness Let's make a positive impact and invest in our communities. Let's volunteer and watch how it transforms our lives and the lives of those around us! #Volunteering #GivingBack #CommunityFirst #PersonalGrowth #KindnessMatters"

CHILDREN UNDERSTAND WHAT #GIVINGBACK MEANS: Volunteering is for all of us😉. ✅ Building Community Bonds: By actively participating in community service, kids develop a sense of belonging and connection to their community. ✅ Life Skills Development: Volunteering teaches invaluable life skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication👍🏼. ✅ Fostering Gratitude: When kids engage in volunteering activities, they gain a deeper appreciation for the privileges they have. ✅ Empowerment Through Service: Volunteering empowers children to become agents of change in their own right🙌🏾. ✅ The Mama-Tee Community Fridge Project has a lot of kid volunteers🙌🏻. You can support your local community and bring the whole family along for the experience. Giving back is good for the soul. #mamateefridge #communityfridge #helpingothers #socialimpact #corporatesocialresponsibility #sharingiscaring

Gratitude is more than words, it's action. One of the best ways to show appreciation for what we have is by giving back through volunteering. Whether it’s your time, skills, or resources, volunteering allows you to make a positive impact in your community and help those in need. When we give, we grow. #Volunteering helps us connect with others, learn new things, and build stronger bonds with those around us. It is also a way to reflect on how far you have come and show thanks for the opportunities and support you have received. Volunteering isn’t just about helping others ,it also brings personal fulfillment. It reminds us of the value of kindness and community. Through simple acts of service, we can make the world a better place, one step at a time. How do you express gratitude in your daily life? Let us continue to make a difference through service. #Volunteering#Gratitude #CommunityService #SocialImpact #Volunteers

2 years clean! Two years ago, I spent a few minutes removing a lot of graffiti from this National Cycle Network sign in Edinburgh city centre to make it legible again. Since then I’ve been noticing how long it has stayed clean. That’s my kind of fun - one year was exciting enough but two years has almost blown my tiny mind. This is the power of microvolunteering – a small act can have a big impact. It’s something Sustrans has been building into their spectrum of volunteering for some time through Quick Ways to Volunteer, and now through the Action Team (https://lnkd.in/ew7VdvP5). Because it’s something more people are looking for in their volunteering. As a recent article on flexible volunteering in Pro Bono Economics reminds us, time pressures are the biggest barrier for charities engaging volunteers - “In a changing world, where people are constantly being pulled in so many different directions, the sector needs to harness its flexible and adaptable nature in its approach to volunteer recruitment and retention – because that’s what volunteers are seeking. Potential volunteers want to see flexible opportunities and assurances that they can give back to their communities in small ways at first, which don’t overwhelm their already stretched time.” And, yes, I know, I missed a bit of the purple paint. Maybe I’ll find a few minutes more for that. #microvolunteering #lovols #volunteering