By Luanne Lambert Runge
In making New Year's resolutions, have you promised yourself that this year you'd become more involved in the community? While you may have volunteered at your child's school or organized a block party, consider going a step further in 2005 by committing your time and talents to a community or civic organization or a nonprofit board. It's easy to do, and the benefits are enormous.
Much of what makes Greenville special is the result of individuals donating their time and working together toward a common goal. The results of these volunteer efforts - such as our wonderfully vibrant downtown - are inspiring. Devoting energy to worthwhile causes is also rewarding personally and professionally. In addition to making Greenville a better place, volunteering presents opportunities to network socially and professionally, and to refine or expand skills.
The key to starting - particularly for newcomers - is finding a group where your talents are needed and your interests lie. While Greenville boasts many civic organizations, the challenge is selecting a group with a cause inspiring you and presenting the most opportunity to contribute meaningfully. For example, if you have an accounting background, and you are interested in the arts, investigate local arts boards and organizations needing financial help. If there is no single cause inspiring you, but you still want to volunteer, begin by participating in a larger organization, such as the Chamber of Commerce or the United Way. These groups can educate you about opportunities available in Greenville and help identify a need that inspires you.
Be realistic about your commitment, though. Juggling career and family responsibilities is challenging, and over-committing does not help anyone. Once you've committed getting involved, consider the following in finding your place as a community volunteer:
1) Find an organization in which you share common goals
2) Inquire about the projects the organization funds
3) Read the organization's mission statement and assess its alignment with your own passions and goals
4) Investigate the organization's reputation in the community
5) Question former or current board members about their experiences with the organization
6) Ask about financial commitments
7) Assess the time commitment involved and whether it is flexible
8) Research whether its leadership opportunities interest you
9) Attend events or fundraisers the organization sponsors
10) Elicit support from family and coworkers before you commit
While finding the time is challenging, making the right volunteer commitment to a worthwhile community organization is a rewarding way to give back to Greenville and continually improve our community.
Luanne Runge practices in the areas of health care law, including long term care, business litigation and professional negligence. Currently, Luanne serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Board of Directors for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the Young Philanthropists Council for the United Way, and the Board of Directors for Centre Stage South Carolina.
For more information, visit www.gwblawfirm.com or call Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. at 864-271-9580.
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