Volunteering your time...What do you do?

rpf500 · Oct 23, 2015

This is pretty random but it's been bothering me the last few days and figured I'd complain about it on here.

So, I got an email from my boss the other day and attached was a spreadsheet that he wanted filled out listing all the non-profit organizations you are part of. Either as a board member, volunteer, etc. There are 7 companies all owned by the same parent company and the Presidents and each of their direct reports were listed on the spreadsheet. Some of the people had 5-10 different things listed out under their name. I have ZERO. Community involvement is a big deal for the parent company and I was asked if I planned to get involved in something so I can add to the list in 2016.

That all being said, I wanted some of your opinions on this and maybe what you are involved in. I may be being selfish and if that is the case, I'll be able to see that based off your replies. I do think age and family play a big role in this too. Meaning, I know most all of the people on the above mentioned list and they are quite a bit older than me and have no kids, or have grown kids. I didn't mention that to my boss because I didn't want to be a guy who is making an "excuse". That is, until I know more about what others are doing.

I'm 34 and the youngest person on this list by approximately 14-16 years.
I have 3 kids ranging from 10 years old to 6 weeks.
My oldest plays 3 sports and the middle one will start T ball in 2016.
I have a wheeling addiction
I spend any time I am not wheeling or repairing my junk, either outside with my kids/wife, or inside with my kids/wife. To me, family is a huge deal and I like to be around my family.

So, am I selfish to spend my time outside of work with my family and doing things I enjoy? If so, how do you guys split your time volunteering, raising kids, working, and just enjoying your time away from work?

muddinmetal · Oct 23, 2015

All volunteering says is, "This is more important to me than my time, time I could spend doing other things or with my family"

Thing of it as you wish, but it's true

jwilson645 · Oct 23, 2015

**** them. You have kids that need your attention and they don't. If it something that you believe in then go for it but don't just sign up for something to fit in at work. I spent 4 years as a Scout leader while my son was a scout then we both got out together. I attend all his sports practices and games because I want him to know that I am there for him. Once upon a time I spent a lot of extra hours at work. When I left that job, I swore I wouldn't do that again.

dwa2469 · Oct 23, 2015

Career advancement and employment are also important to your kids IMHO. If you like your job, id find something, :****:because it sounds like they are sending you a signal

infamous1 · Oct 23, 2015

Maybe donate a day here or there cleaning up a trail system or national forest. Something that could combine family and wheeling. That is about all I do for non-profit and I have 1 8 year old daughter i spend my time with so I can combine those two easily. Is donating considered in this? If so make a few donations and list those. My wife is the charitable one in my family so i feel it is a yen-yang thing and it evens out in the end.

jccarter1 · Oct 23, 2015

I completely agree with you, family to me is the most important thing I only have one child she is 6 months old and before her I had lots of free time but now it is tough to find any free time that wouldnt take away time with her. You said you had 3 children so I can only imagine how hectic your schedule must be at times best thing I would say is count the time you spend at the ball fields and helping with your children's activities as volunteer towards that community involvement bc you don't realize how much impact you may have on others by being a good dad and helping out bc there is a lot of worthless men out there who are absent in there children's lives......... Rant over I wouldnt concern yourself to much with it

wont work · Oct 23, 2015

Any of the wheeling trips you go on for charity?

I ride motorcycles as much if not more than wheeling and several times a year we ride in poker runs and such for charity. I even host one local that has turned out way bigger than I ever thought would.
My point is this. If any of the trips you go on are for a charity or to help someone id list that to please them. They didnt as how much you helped just what you helped with.

rpf500 · Oct 23, 2015

dwa2469 said:
Career advancement and employment are also important to your kids IMHO. If you like your job, id find something, :****:because it sounds like they are sending you a signal

Dang, fast replies! Thank you guys and these are all the same things I was thinking basically.

As for this comment, you are right in both aspects. I'm in a role at work now where it's almost an unspoken rule, that you get involved in something for the community. I have a problem with it feeling that it's forced on me too.

rpf500 · Oct 23, 2015

wont work said:
Any of the wheeling trips you go on for charity?

I ride motorcycles as much if not more than wheeling and several times a year we ride in poker runs and such for charity. I even host one local that has turned out way bigger than I ever thought would.
My point is this. If any of the trips you go on are for a charity or to help someone id list that to please them. They didnt as how much you helped just what you helped with.

Yes, and good point! Never thought of that really. Reading the other peoples stuff listed (Board of directors Catholic Committee, Board of Directors YMCA, blah, blah, blah) I never really thought about something like that. I may just add that under my name. It's a start atleast and it does help people (Toys for Tots coming up next month is one that comes to mind) and if they don't like it then I guess they just :gtfo:

TacomaJD · Oct 23, 2015

Yeah, **** them. I'm sorry, but at work, I want to work and do my job to the best of my abilities in a competitive fashion to try and be the best at what I do.....I don't want to feel pressured into doing some extra credit bullshit like that just to "look good" and add to the list. Stupid ****, I hope I'm never prompted with such an indirect request in my working career. Tell em to help babysit and feed them young'uns and you may consider it. **** like that just really burns me up. There are some semi dumb things like that at my work, but not to that degree and I can usually tell my boss what I think of things like that without consequences. I'm here to work and make a living, not be a community janitor/servant.

TBItoy · Oct 23, 2015

You can join Southern Four Wheel Drive Association through hardline...

TacomaJD · Oct 23, 2015

TBItoy said:
You can join Southern Four Wheel Drive Association through hardline...

and it's FREE!

5BrothersFabrication · Oct 23, 2015

TBItoy said:
You can join Southern Four Wheel Drive Association through hardline...

Beat me to it. That is community work of sorts. :dunno:

jeepmedic · Oct 23, 2015

Wounded Warrior Project..... If you want to brighten someone's day that's the organization. My family is involved as well. It teaches my kids that the freedom we take for granted comes at a cost. Hell, even my Golden Retriever tags along. I think the guys and gals like the dog more lol. :****:

wayne86 · Oct 23, 2015

I with the majority here and think it's really non of their business whether you decide to participate in extra curricular activities. I have been volunteered to be a Vice President of a couple of clubs that I'm in through another hobby. To be honest, I don't want to be in the position because you get all of the whining and belly-aching from the members. The other side of that though, I get to be involved in something I'm passionate about. I, like you, prefer to spend time away from work at home or out on the trails. Volunteering a lot of my free time just isn't important to me when I have plenty of things to do at home.
As far as your situation goes I would definitely look into the offroad clubs. If your kids are involved in 4-H you could be a project leader. (Companies love that because 4-H is very much about the community.)

jeff150 · Oct 23, 2015

Do community work that you enjoy being a part of and can involve the kids/family.
You said the oldest plays 3 sports and the second one is about to start. Is there something you can do with the park where they play? Be a board member, organize a clean-up day, organize a fundraiser, etc.
Same with wheeling, organize a charity ride that collects canned goods, clean up public land, etc.
I will say, it sucks that you are being guilted into doing it by your employer. Volunteering should be something done of free will and it should be enjoyable. With 3 small kids, finding time to do much extra is tough.

BPINAZ · Oct 23, 2015

Drive around and yell at all the lazy ****s asking for handouts to get a ****ing job. Then go back and tell your boss you volunteered your time influencing others to better themselves.

ROKTOY829 · Oct 23, 2015

Re:

Volunteering is something that you should do if you feel you should. If not you never enjoy it.

I've been in a volunteer dept for 20 years and enjoyed most of it and not so much of it. Past 10 years been on the county dive and haz-mat team. It does take alot of you time at times.

Don't feel guilty about not volunteering if your not having a feeling about it.

Just tell them that your going to help coach the sports your kids are in.

dwa2469 · Oct 23, 2015

Also, I don't know if you go to church, and if so how active a member you are, you may be doing a lot of good works there and not even realizing it. Just a thought