The entrance to a part of DMNS where I have signed up to volunteer
For a variety of reasons I decided to join my husband as a volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. First, I love the place because it expresses my world view. I see the world through "science-colored glasses," though I have studied science only sporadically over the years. Second, for the past few years I have found myself increasing my time spent in solitary pursuits. Although I love art, blogging, reading and email discussion lists, they generally do not involve face-to-face interaction with people in real-time activities and discussions. I need solitude, but I also need people.
In the hall of life I will be helping both students and adults interact with exhibitions on the Visible Human, DNA and genetics, fitness, nutrition and other aspects of Health Science and Biology. The photo below is of the Food Choice area in the Hall of Life. One can choose a seat at the table and a recorded message on an audio-phone tells you the nutrition and caloric content of the meal you have chosen. There are also sections for creating one's own meals with "fake food" and a nutrition facilitator will help analyze the meals for healthy choices. I'm looking forward to my first training session Aug 21.
Over the years I have volunteered as officer, committee person, or foot-soldier for professional, political and personal causes I felt were important. Fifteen years ago, I was President of an international exchange organization in Denver that brought 12-16 mid-career professionals at a time from other countries to do a 4 to 6 month agency placement and home-stay in Denver.
On one occasion during my presidency I was involved in exit-interviews with our first group of participants from countries belonging to the former Eastern Block allied with the Soviet Union. One of the questions they were asked was: "What American trait did you find most surprising?" The answer was unanimous: "Volunteering!" After the interview, I had a discussion with a gentleman we were hosting from Albania who asked how much I was paid to be president of the organization? When I told him that I received no payment, he responded, "You must not be any good." I told him that perhaps that was true but no matter the quality of my leadership, I would receive no pay as the Presidency, while an elected position, was a volunteer one..
Since then whenever we have foreign visitors in our home, I always ask about volunteering in their country. The answers are surprising. It is tempting to think that only affluent countries would have volunteers and the less affluent would have none, but my own little surveys indicate that this is not necessarily true. The causes for which people volunteer vary. In some countries, people are more likely to volunteer their time for politics. In others people volunteer to coach youngsters in various athletic endeavors or as tutors in various academic pursuits.
Now that I have a sitemeter on my blog, I know that people from a variety of countries read here. I would love to know if volunteering is common in your country/area and which types of volunteering are most common.
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