Power is in Volunteering

“Have I done enough volunteering,” is a question I often ask myself. I couldn’t help but think if others ask themselves this as well. It is no surprise that most people in our generation don’t volunteer as much as they should. This is the reason I feel we are so disconnected from our roots and reality. Nowadays, you can find most of our adolescences glued to a HD screen with an Xbox controller in hand. Yes, they are staying out of trouble (drugs, gangs etc.)by doing this, but at what point can this become detrimental to the user or operator? I know that there are some high schools that are requiring students to volunteer in their community prior to graduating, and I totally agree with this, but volunteering should be taken upon the students themselves. I understand that this is easier said than done; however I know this can be achieved. Most of our generation has some type of role model; icon or someone that they think is cool and chances are that person volunteers. Do research on your favorite celebrity, sports figure or idle and see where they volunteer or donate money and become part of that movement. I hope that this will give volunteering a new image that will be more appealing to others. If we can get young people connected with this mentality of being able to say that they played their part in their community, then I feel we can start a movement or force that cant be stopped.

The purpose of this post is to get my young communicators out in the world volunteering. I mentioned the Bronze Quill Awards Gala as a excellent way to get out and volunteer. I wouldn’t suggest something that I personally wouldn’t be doing, which is the reason I am also volunteering at this event. If you already are attending UH, then this is a grand way to display cougar pride and network with professionals. If you are a prospective student, then this is a excellent way to meet President Renu Khator and also see how IABC Houston rewards its winners in the field of communications.

For those who have already reaped the benefits of volunteering, then you know what to expect at an event like this. I can personally say that volunteering my time is the best thing I have ever done in my life. It taught me that money would never be my motivation for working. My motivation will only come when I can make a difference in another person’s life and the self-gratification feeling is like no other. It can become an addicting feeling my friends, but you wont ever know unless you get up and do it.

This perspective can be viewed on a micro scale (this gala), or macro scale (leaving your impression on the world) but no matter how you view volunteering the point is it’s beneficial and rewarding so try it out.

Please contact Mr. Emery for more information about The Bronze Quill Awards Gala and volunteering for this event. 

Mike Emery - memery@Central.UH.EDU

I leave you with a quote from one of our past leaders.

“Never before has a man had such a great capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world.”

-John F. Kennedy