How do you spell V o l u n t e e r ?

How many times have you volunteered for something and regretted it?

How about the opposite? 

People have but so much time to give!   “A precious commodity for sure” 

If you depend on volunteers to help you get something accomplished, give it worthy thought. 

I think people seek return on investment on everything they do.  If you purchase something for a dollar you expect to get a $1.00 or more of value in return. 

If you donate an hour of your time, one would like to think that it wasn’t a waste of time, agree?

What if you donated time to something and you got back more than you expected?   Would you come back for more? Would you share your experience?

I once served on a nonprofit board and asked the question to the leader...How do you spell  V o l u n t e e r ? 

The Executive Director knew she shouldn’t take the bait, however humored me.  My point…everyone in this meeting is a volunteer.  We all have options for this hour.  Your job (my opinion) is to inspire us and make us feel our hour is not wasted.  Since no one is being compensated, a substitute for payment is desired.   

My hour simply needs to be deemed worthwhile!

Inspiration and passion rule the day.  People searching for ways to volunteer are vibrating at a higher level.  Their work a day world is missing something; a void needs to be filled outside of work and family. 

Certainly a church can fill this void however; it simply is not the answer for everyone!

Volunteering offers the chance to potentially meet other people that do not have an agenda since compensation is taken out of the picture.   If the environment is cool, opportunities plentiful, a nonprofit can be a life changing experience.

There are some awesome people in our community and I am honored to hang out with a large group of them!

NobleOne

Magic in the Middle

This is a term I often refer to simply because it validates so many awesome people.  Growing up I often felt that I did not measure up constantly comparing myself with the top 5%.  Those that were cooler, skinnier, faster, taller, smarter, richer or you can pick your own.

I graduated middle of my class 228 of over 500 @ First Colonial High School in 1975. I ran the New York Marathon in 1987 and finished 10,635 out of 23,000 runners.  I am 5’7” and not too fat however not skinny either.  The list could go on however I think I made point.  I reside in the middle! 

One could simply view the world as Top / Middle / Bottom.  There is a lot of competition for that “top” spot however there is simply little room.  My goal, get comfortable in the middle.  There are a great number of us that reside here. 

I recognize that this is a bit of an over simplification however it serves me and how I operate in this world.  I enjoy the company of everyone I meet.  I am empowered daily by “normal” people doing heroic things.  People expect the “top” to always perform however it impresses everyone when the “middle” exceeds expectations.  Therein lies the "magic"

I now run an organization that gives everyone a chance at greatness.  We do not seek the best only those that want to help out the folks that reside at the “bottom and a few in the “middle”.   We seek out the heroes among everyday people and celebrate their noble deeds. 

The way I have it figured the “middle” represents the largest segment of folks in my community.  It is those folks that I call my friends and choose to hang out with.  Granted I know some “top” folks, doesn’t everyone?  Friends in high places are a gift to us all. 

Being happy in this world is a pretty good goal to accomplish.  I am happy to call myself a “middle man” and feel like a “top man when I help a “bottom man”.  Not a bad philosophy.  One could call it “Noble”  bi-da-boom!

I will finish with this…writing gives me something to check off my list.  It allows this middle man to bathe in a better feeling of legitimacy.  Somewhere in my persona I feel that communicating a piece of wisdom is a privilege and an expression of a gift. 

Writing also gives me a voice to those folks that I haven’t yet met! 

Your favorite “Middle Man”

Al Midgett

aka

NobleOne

Earning Nobility

Yesterday I spent my morning driving down to the Outerbanks, a place of reflection for me.  My family settled in the Outerbanks in the 1600's after leaving France during the protestant reformation.  I am only learning now how fascinating one's history can be.

I was a guest of the WooHoo Sistahs at a cottage in Corolla, NC.  This weekend, five board members are spending time with each other exploring new ways to take their nonprofit to the next level.  An adventure like this is right up my alley!

Warmly received we started the late morning with storytelling and getting to know each other.  It wasn't long before the questions started...How do you handle? What happens when?  Clearly there had been roadblocks and frustrations!

Eighteen years of adventures with The Noblemen have taught me a thing or two about running meetings and inspiring volunteers.  People have but so much free time to dedicate to volunteering.  So many things compete for that special time.  Creating an organization that inspires others to dedicate a part of their lives is a wonderful thing.  However it comes with responsibilities, never ending exploration, constant improvement and healthy growth.

Understanding people is essential to running a nonprofit.  Passion runs the day and inspiration is the fuel to keep it alive.   Members need a return on investment of time and dedication.

At the end of a day if you can claim that you helped some kids and changed some lives.  I would call that a good day, you?