by Susie Bavo, Chaiman of the Board of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership
Published in The Union, June 18, 2014
Welcome to summer.
Barbecues, baseball games, family trips and last-minute getaways with friends.
Summer is a chance to enjoy a little, and live a lot.
For many college and high school students, the long-awaited break is also an opportunity to earn some money or enroll in summer school – or possibly both.
Along with the dollars and the education, we would like to encourage students to consider embracing another experience, one that pays off in many ways – volunteering.
Community service – the more modern term for volunteering – is an excellent opportunity for teenagers and young adults to give back to their community, help others and learn new skills.
And if you’re planning to attend college, an application with community service experience can make the difference between being accepted or rejected. Everyone benefits from volunteering.
In fact, almost 60 percent of the 400 senior projects completed this year at Nevada Union High School were considered community service. But even many students who were not planning to attend college donated their energy and time to local organizations.
Quite simply, community service is just part of the curriculum, like Algebra and American Literature, for many high school students.
For college students, community service offers hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn new skills. Maybe even find a career or an overlooked talent.
So, how should an ambitious, community-minded and hard-working student get started in volunteering?
First, consider what you enjoy, like taking care of animals or teaching children. Or maybe it’s more about completing a project, such as building a house for a low-income family or developing a new program.
Then, look for an organization that meets your interests, skills or something you would like to learn.
Nevada County has hundreds of nonprofits, from organizations that promote the arts to those that protect the environment, and just about everything in between.
The Center for Nonprofit Leadership has more than 50 member organizations — from AnimalSave (Golden Empire Humane Society) to United Way of Nevada County – that could benefit from dedicated and energetic volunteers. The Center’s members are more than worthy nonprofits, with community-focused board members, experienced executive directors and professional staffs. Each would benefit from your effort, skills and talent.
So, when school ends and summer starts, please consider volunteering. It’s an effort where everyone wins – the community, a deserving nonprofit and especially you.