Make time to make a connection that matters

Read more about how to make time to make a connection that matters in the original News & Observer article.

Amanda Howard

RALEIGH - Generosity is highly regarded, especially at this time of year. So it's unsettling to see that the Triangle, though economically stronger than many neighboring regions, falls behind in giving and philanthropy.

A report from the Triangle Community Foundation concluded that blame for the lag lies with "a lack of connectedness among people and communities in the region."

The surest way to feel connected to a community is to get personally involved and invested. There is no better way to get involved than to give a very precious asset: your time.

No one can deny the positive impact volunteering has on our community, and those who volunteer know that the wisdom, joy and relationships gained are priceless rewards. So why are people still hesitant to volunteer?

A Gallup Poll in 1992 sought to answer why people do not volunteer. Though nearly two decades have gone by, the reasons are still true. The top three revolved around time:

• Too busy -- 57 percent.
• Unable to honor commitment --15 percent.
• Time is too valuable; already done enough -- 13 percent.

A reason not listed on the 1992 poll, but one that has been repeated by many Triangle residents, is that the process to get involved is too confusing. Because of this hurdle, a number of resources have popped up to help connect volunteers with community needs.

Kids Connect is one. It helps parents and caregivers volunteer with young children and teach youth about community service. Through the group's Web site (www.kidsconnectnc.org) you can find age-appropriate opportunities, a calendar of events and creative ways to volunteer on your own time and initiative.

Triangle Impact (www.triangleimpact.org) uses an easy-to-navigate Web site to match people with volunteer and charitable opportunities throughout the Triangle. Executive Director Jeanne Joslin says the volunteers they help provide "increase the capacity of nonprofits to do their job of serving those in need." Triangle Impact is an affiliate of Hands On, a national network of organizations promoting voluntarism.

These organizations and others like them are wonderful resources that fill an important need.  However, time constraints are still problematic for those who are already working hard to juggle their professional and personal lives.

To help address this need, a unique resource has arisen in the Raleigh area: On The Fly Services (www.ontheflyservices.org). This is a nonprofit organization, started in 2005, with a mission to facilitate company-sponsored volunteer efforts in a manner that advocates achieving a balance among work, family and community service.

In pairing with On The Fly, employers agree to give their employees work time to volunteer at the community agencies of their choice. On The Fly then coordinates the volunteer opportunities and quantifies the hours that businesses and their employees give to the community.

Bobby Martin, the group's founder and president, says "We want to serve the community by creating a work/life balance for volunteers." In addition to the idea of using work hours for volunteer time, On The Fly takes confusion and guesswork out of volunteering. From figuring out the best placement for each individual to following up and ensuring that all needs (of the volunteer, company and community agency) are being met, the group helps people volunteer "on the fly" and make every minute count.

Whether you want to teach your kids about community service through Kids Connect, sign up for projects online through Triangle Impact or get your business paired with On The Fly, the resources are there.

The Triangle is an amazing place to live and work. Let's keep it successful by making sure our community is connected and strong, and let's not hear again that we lag in generosity. Get out. Get connected. Give of yourself, make a positive impact on your community and, most importantly, volunteer.

(Amanda Howard is a stay-at-home mom and a member of the Junior League of Raleigh. She has worked for a number of nonprofits, including, currently, On The Fly Services.)