Volunteering

I had no idea that it would be so difficult for me to find a place and a way to be a volunteer. I wanted to have something useful to do with my time, get out of the house on a regular basis, meet some new people here in Kentucky, and maybe get an idea about a job possibility. I was looking for a close-to-home volunteer opportunity in which I could use some of my professional skills. A reasonable criteria, right?

As I started to search, I found that most volunteering opportunities involve either a one-on-one commitment for an extended period of time, or mindless envelope-stuffing, people-escorting, flower-delivering, rummage-sorting responsibilities. I didn’t think I was destined for either type.

Too many years working one-on-one with teens myself, and too many sensational headlines about people getting arrested or sued as thanks for their good intentions put me off on the “commitment” thing. I just don’t have that kind of commitment to give any longer. It is too frustrating, too consuming, too fraught with traps and frankly, too spare on rewards. That sounds really negative, but that is the truth for me. Been there. Done that. Can’t do it any more.

And mind-numbing tasks generate even more obvious “arguments against.”

So I found something through a local hospital – a “Patient Representative” program in which trained volunteers visit with patients on their 2nd day in the hospital to assure that they are satisfied with the services they are receiving from the hospital – nursing care, their room, and even the food (which strikes me as risky!) If there are complaints (and there have been very few!) I have access to the unit managers, nursing supervisors, housekeeping and dietary directors and anyone else I need to contact to get them resolved. I have the opportunity to write up a “Celebration” note when someone is reported as particularly helpful or nice.

Did it meet the criteria? Well, I have a 40 minute drive to get there. I have to use a private office to get organized and do the paperwork, so I don’t have much chance to meet new people or have regular conversations with anyone. It certainly isn't going to lead to a job. But I do talk to some great folks – patients or their family/friends who make jokes or carry on and on about this or that, or effusively compliment their nurses. Sometimes I hold a hand when I run across someone who is alone and scared. Yes, many of my professional skills are tapped. It is working for me. And hopefully it is working for them.