religious studies makes me volunteer.

[FyrFytrRyn]

so, im currently taking a religious studies class. the instructor is requiring us to do three 2 hour sessions in some type of a "community service" environment. if i have to do it, id like to atleast kind of enjoy it. any of you know of something fulfilling and fun? bike trail maintence? fixing bikes for kids? planting trees int he forest? riding bears to make sick kids laugh? all suggestions welcome, thanks in advance!

[Jordansrealm]

there are plenty of trail maintenance threads popping up here so just watch out for them and lend a hand!

[FyrFytrRyn]

thanks jordan. corssed my mind, but it seems as if i need to be "working" for some type of organization of sorts, ill run it by her.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

so, im currently taking a religious studies class. the instructor is requiring us to do three 2 hour sessions in some type of a "community service" environment. if i have to do it, id like to atleast kind of enjoy it. bike trail maintence? fixing bikes for kids? planting trees in the forest? riding bears to make sick kids laugh? all suggestions welcome, thanks in advance!

Only you can decide... Trail maintenance... bike repair for kids... planting trees.. all good ideas.

Another option could be to volunteer doing something that you have no experience with.

Helping under privileged children
Boys and Girls Club
Homeless Shelter
Red Cross
Cancer Patients
Local Hospital
You could learn something.... Could better appreciate everything you have... May decide you want to devote more time to these causes... Million reasons.....

**** I say you go with one of your ideas.

[FyrFytrRyn]

dino, since im an EMT, im thinking of vol. in the ER @ redlands community. that place is always fun... the boys and girls club would be cool. ill teach the little ones how to happy gilmore the F outa some golf balls.

[jeffj]

If you were in my area, I would seek to utilize your EMT experience to teach some basic first aid to soccer coaches as part of their coach training.

I would think there would be some community based organizations in your area that would like to do the same thing.

[FyrFytrRyn]

Originally Posted by jeffj

If you were in my area, I would seek to utilize your EMT experience to teach some basic first aid to soccer coaches as part of their coach training.

I would think there would be some community based organizations in your area that would like to do the same thing.

can i do that? i mean, technically. dont i need some kind of cert that allows me to teach?

[donkey]

...where are you taking said class? I studied Comparative Religion at CSUF......I seem to remember a class that involved mandatory volunteerism(an oxymoron?)

B

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

can i do that? i mean, technically. dont i need some kind of cert that allows me to teach?

As long as you are 'qualified' (as in you do actually know the material) I would be allowed to use you in that capacity with no repercussions.

I have used Dr.'s and nurses to do it in the past and they were not necessarily 'certified' to teach it, but were qualified (as required in this instance) since they have been trained and do it for a living (as do you).

[FyrFytrRyn]

ahhhhh, good to know jeff. i had no idea. donkey, im taking it @ my local CC, aparently this instructor is on a "i have to seem like a legit professor, there for i will make my students do community service as if they are at a state university" trip. ive heard of these volunteer req. @ some state univ, but never at a little CC.

[Dino Brown]

Great idea Jeff!

[jfromlv]

You can be the team massuese for Incycle at the next race, does that count?

[Pain Freak]

True giving really isn't about what you want, but what you can do for others.Sorry, don't mean to sound all high & mighty. I found the Salvation Army to be a great group that always has a lot of volunteer opportunities. Another one I like to do is to visit nursing homes or convelescence homes. The older folks love to get visits even if they don't know you.

[nomad]

Well said . you might even enjoy it.

[OTHRIDER]

One group that would love the help would be the Cub Scouts. The little guys would be thrilled to see someone in an EMT uniform give them simple first aid tips. Heck, bring a box of wrap and let 'em practice on wrapping an ankle etc. You can contact the Inland Empire Scout Council @ 909-793-2463 and they can direct you to Cub Scout packs in your area. Most LDS churches have packs also. Good luck and enjoy the time with whatever you do.

http://www.bsa-ciec.org/openrosters/....asp?orgkey=21

[Fired Yo Momma]

Go to the Long Beach VA they always need volenteer help and besides some of the older vets enjoy company.

[pitmang1]

There is also the Boy Scout Sea Base in Newport and I know that they have had volunteers in the past. Maybe you could teach Basic Life Support to the Boy Scouts. I did some volunteer work there years ago and I pretty much just drove boats around the harbor filling up the gas tanks. It may be a bit of drive for you, but if the weather warms up a bit, weekends in Newport aren't so bad.

[Wrecker]

Try a homeless shelter organization. We had a day shelter in OC that would take out nurses to do assessments on the homeless, both in the day-shelter and in the field.

You'd get to do VS, inc Bp checks, pt ed, DM assessment, glucose checks, w/c, and refer them to clinics with the help of the shelter referrals. These are people that normally do not get any type of physical assessment, so it is quite rewarding, and you'd be surprised at what they are surviving with--things like peritonitis.

There is definitely a need, and the hope that with preventative medicine you can help them stay out of the ER and ICU--or send them there and save their life

***Be sure to go with an experienced volunteer when working in the field, as some people are very territorial, leery of new people, or flat out scared off.

[ghixon]

Go here and plug in our city/contact info. It will give you tons of volunteer resources that are in need of help. The wife and I did this last year a few times and it was always appreciated and a ton of fun!

My two year old also got into the act.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

[FyrFytrRyn]

incredible suggestions guys. since i cannot do 6 hours straight, i will do 3 DIFFERENT activities. http://www.volunteermatch.org/ is awesome, ill probably pick all 3 from there. i can infact come to help maintenece a trail, and get credit, so i want to do that as one.