Considering taking the plunge into volunteering? Take a peek online and you’ll find a pool of over 3 million possibilities. We’ve collected tips from seasoned volunteers and those who depend on them about how to navigate the choices.
FIND YOUR PASSION
Family ties to the military fueled the volunteer spirit for Sharon Nicastro, a local instructor for volunteer services and volunteer partner of the Regional Director for Services to the Armed Forces.
“Look for reputable organizations that support a cause that you feel strongly about,” she says. The American Red Cross Volunteer Connection (redcross.org) is a good place to start.
Rocky River resident Kathy Berkshire, whose business card proclaims “Professional Volunteer,” agrees.
“You need to think what you are passionate about, most importantly — something that has touched you,” says Berkshire, who lists the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Rotary, the Ohio State University Alumni Association and Hospice of the Western Reserve on her resume.
“The more I did in the community, the more I found organizations I was passionate about,” she adds.
After you’ve found an organization you believe in, you still may have to find your niche. But that’s not a problem, says Alice Schwallie, manager of volunteer programs at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
“We rely on volunteers throughout the museum in every department across the board,” she says. There, opportunities include everything from clerical work to interacting with guests and doing research. “We work with each volunteer to determine what he or she wants to do. About 85 percent of the time when they come in, they target a certain area.”
Akron native and board member of West Shore CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Dennis Kucler adds, “Our charitable, cultural, civic and entertainment organizations cannot afford to exist in today’s world without the commitment and energies of volunteers.”
...
Patience and Persistence are Great Tools for Tracing Your Roots
By Sue Botos
It was a family reunion somewhat reluctantly attended by nationally acclaimed genealogist Dr. Deborah Abbott that opened the door to what has become her passion.
“My grandparents never talked too much about the past, but my grandmother used to tell me she and her sister both had granddaughters named Deborah,” Abbott recalled recently before holding a workshop at the Lakewood Public Library.
Abbott — a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Genealogical Society and past president of the African-American Genealogical Society — says she met her great aunt once, but it wasn’t until she attended the reunion in North Carolina several years ago that she discovered members from that branch of her family.
“I got down there and there were people walking around that looked just like my grandmother and they knew everyone in the room,” Abbott remembers, adding that of her great-aunt’s 14 children, she knew only two.
“They were talking about people I never heard of. I realized I knew zero. I had to figure out what to do,” Abbott says.
So began a journey that led her to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., as well as the Western Reserve Historical Society, which houses census records for the county dating back to the 1800s.
Start Here
Untangling your family’s roots can be daunting, but experts say patience and an open mind can uncover some fascinating facts, and maybe a few skeletons in the closet.
“Start with yourself and move backward,” advises Abby O’Neill, a research assistant at the Cuyahoga County Library’s Fairview Park Branch, which offers one of the most extensive collections of historic records and documents such as court records, census counts and local history.
Keep in mind that some records and recollections may be unreliable.
...
Cool Jobs
For people like Ray Brown, work looks a lot like play. Here are a few honest-to-goodness jobs compiled by Wil Fulton from thrillist.com.
Ice Cream Taster — The ultimate “cool job,” these folks mix the magic concoctions of ice cream, candy and other goodies into frozen fantasies. Not great for the waistline, but good for morale.
Netflix Tagger — Have you binged on more episodes of “Fuller House” than you want to admit? Think about becoming a Netflix Tagger, and get paid to watch TV. These part-time employees watch shows and movies through Netflix streaming, then associate content with various tags, helping the service recommend shows to viewers based on what they have previously watched.
Private Island Caretaker — For those planning a retirement that includes sun and surf, consider being a private island caretaker. Those who do this love the tropical paradise life, but note that while there are obvious benefits, it helps to be handy — and in good shape — as property owners expect all to be in shipshape when they arrive for their holiday.
Fortune Cookie Writer — Like to give advice? Do you excel at choosing lucky numbers? Donald Lau, who has been crafting fortunes for Wonton Foods, manufacturer of fortune cookies (among other Chinese cuisine) is stepping down after 30 years because he says he has run out of ideas. So if you have some creative writing ability, this could be the way the cookie crumbles.
Google Trike/Street View Team — Like to cycle? Want to travel? Maybe joining the Google Street View Trike Team is up your alley. This job involves pulling a Google Maps camera behind a three-wheeler through cities all over the world. There are also positions for folks who feel hoofing it is more their speed.
Panda Nanny — If you have experience babysitting the grandchildren, you may have what it takes to become a Panda Nanny.
...
