Another reason I’ve taken this impromptu break is that I really don’t have much to talk about. For the past three weeks it’s been all about getting settled into my new job.  I really haven’t gotten out much. (Not that I get out much anyway.)

Besides, I’m not working for free anymore (at least not exclusively), so does this mean a new blog? Or just a new chapter for this current blog?

When the time is right, or when I have something I want to say, I’ll write another post. Until then, I’ll keep thinking about my next step. Thank you for reading. I hope I’ll get to talk to you again soon.

After what turned out to be a very short time looking for work (and what felt like ages), I have been hired by a wonderful organization. I’m not sure what this organization’s protocol is on employee’s personal social media, so I won’t reveal their name. I will say my title will be Development Associate! I’m so excited to finally get into the nuts and bolts of fundraising. I can’t wait to start. Seriously, I was willing to go in the day I got the offer.

And the most amazing thing I learned was how many people were willing to step up and speak on my behalf. I was a little nervous about gaining references, but then I decided to simply ask them. All four people I e-mailed told me they’d be delighted to talk about what a great worker I’ve been. I feel like I should be making a speech akin to winning an Oscar. You really like me!

I’m happy that my first blog post in weeks is one with good news. However, I’m still worried about keeping up this blog while at the same time having to represent an organization. I know a lot of great nonprofit bloggers do the same thing. I wonder how they balance what they want to say with how it will be perceived.

And I also have to think about a new direction. I won’t be just working for free anymore. I’ll have to get advice from friends and fellow bloggers to see where I can go from here.

But for now, I’m just going to be excited about not having to write any more cover letters! At least for a while.

Some of my favorite quotes from him during the interview:

“I’m still in an army. I’m just in an army with volunteers.” 

“One person can make a difference. One person can inspire people to inspire other people . . . It’s all about making our lives around us better.” 

“To be able to show somebody that they can live the life that they want to live or help other people or open their eyes. That’s priceless.”

I hope all organizations out there can explore how they can encourage veterans to volunteer with them. And because today’s Veterans Day, let’s explore how we can all tip our hats to the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in this country and around the world. Think about donating to the USO or volunteering with Veterans Affairs. Or simply take the time to learn a veteran’s story. I’m looking forward to reading Bryan’s book.

However, I realize that if I’m going to help them as well as gain some good experience, I’m going to need to work independently. They don’t necessarily have set jobs for individuals. It’s much more fluid and encourages people to help in areas that pique their interest. But now I know that I’m going to be doing a lot of research, brain-storming and even connecting with people from other associations. I’m going to have to be very bold.

For any volunteer, it’s good to recognize whether a new opportunity requires them to be on their own or to answer to a supervisor. If this is ever unclear, it’s important to communicate with the organization to make sure everyone knows what to do. It also helps the volunteer decide if they want a job where they work exclusively with and learn from a supervisor, or would they rather start their own projects.

I’m nervous about the responsibility of creating ideas and implementing them on my own. Only because I’m still learning about all the different associations and companies in this city with whom we can collaborate. But I have no doubt that the other members of the committee would be willing to help me come up with ideas and make me feel like I can contribute.

It might require a little bit of homework, but I’ve never shied away from being busy. Stay tuned for some brilliant plans coming Chicago’s way.

And with that in mind, I got a subscription to the Chicago Tribune.

Yes, I opted for the archaic paper version rather than simply reading the news online. That was a deliberate choice so I’d be encouraged to read the whole thing, as opposed to just a few online articles here and there. Because I go through it page by page, I read about things I wouldn’t normally be interested in, such as school test scores and corruption trials. Now I feel much more knowledgeable about the city in general.

Plus, there’s been quite a bit of information about nonprofits. With the Independent Sector Conference going on right now as well as budget shortfalls in the government, I’ve had a healthy amount of reading material. (I have a drawer in my apartment dedicated to all the nonprofit articles I’ve cut out. Nerd.)

I think subscribing to the paper was a great decision as I continue to look for and apply to jobs. If nothing else, at least I’m getting better at crossword puzzles.

I'm honestly not sure how much of that is correct.

But that post might not come for a bit.

I attended a volunteer meeting at a local hospital. I was pretty pumped because I enjoyed volunteering at MUMC in Savannah. The meeting was set to start at 2:30 and I got there at 2:25. Turns out I might as well have been late. About two dozen people were already there and the volunteer coordinator had given them a brief introduction while us stragglers entered the room. Rather than give us a recap, he started a tour of the hospital.

The tour was interesting but I slowly became more and more confused. The tour guide gave the impression that volunteer jobs were limited to helping people get where they need to go and transporting medical records. Then you get to graduate to helping out the doctors and their patients. Then he asked the group, “How many of you are pre-health?”

I didn’t raise my hand, everyone else did. A lonely writer in a room full of future doctors, nurses and technicians.

When the tour was over there was a much more enlightening question-and-answer session. Turns out only the pre-health people need to do a required number of hours with visitor transport. If you are not pre-health (see: me) there are other options.

What are those options? I have no idea. The large group session didn’t seem like the appropriate place to ask about individual needs. So after that we were dismissed.

We were told that the next step was to go to employee health for tests (TB, measles, etc.). Then we could start volunteer training.

Let me make it clear: I was told to go get stuck by a bunch of needles. Then I could find out what I’d actually be doing.

Can I volunteer now?

So I e-mailed the coordinator. I asked if there was a place for me on the administrative side of the hospital, because those are the skills I’d like to hone.

That was three days ago. I haven’t gotten a response yet.

Oh, well. Maybe my e-mail is further down on his to-do list. We’ll see if this works out.

But I’d definitely like to keep my blood until then.  

P.S. They did mention that their volunteer program is relatively new. So their lack of specifics is understandable.

Yesterday was the monthly happy hour get-together. It was very low-key and my lack of business casual attire was not an issue. I adorned my name tag with colorful star stickers to represent the causes I’m interested in (arts and environment), sat down at a table and chatted with several awesome women for the next two hours. We talked about everything from our dream jobs to the pros and cons of grad school. I got to hand out my business card, scribbled with red pen to edit my Twitter name, and received advice about my job hunt. In fact, I feel revitalized and I have more confidence that my best bet might be getting a part-time job at an organization, volunteer on the side and work my way up.

I would like to have met more people, though. Once I sat down I was pretty rooted in that conversation. Perhaps a speed networking event would be beneficial. Though I’m sure I’ll have plenty more opportunities to meet people if I stay involved.

At least I’ll make more friends.

Unfortunately, a few factors prevent me from taking advantage of the wonderful job market here. An illness in my family means I can’t really apply to any more jobs until said family member is well enough. A crazy landlord who left my new apartment trashed ensured that I spent the past two weeks doing nothing but cleaning.  And, of course, knowing a total of two people in this city apart from my boyfriend and his family means I’m a little out at sea.

And while I’m still receiving many polite yet definite NOs from prospective employers, I’m starting to realize that I’ll probably need to establish myself here before expecting the dream, full-time job to fall into my lap.

So guess what I’m planning to do?

Volunteer.

Once I get a bit more settled and get at least a part-time job, I hope to be able to pick an organization (or two or three knowing my addiction) and help out. Except this time the main reason is to make friends in this big ol’ city.

Until then, I’ll still be cleaning. And laughing at the awesome accents.

What everyone here sounds like to me.

Here’s what I have to give them:

Community Manager, Do Good Work, Savannah, GA
March 2011 – May 2011
Volunteer

Social Media Manager, Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Savannah, GA
June 2010 – May 2011
Volunteer

Marketing Volunteer, Volunteer Services, Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah, GA
Sept. 2010 – April 2011
Volunteer

Annual Giving Fund Caller, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
Jan. 2011 – March 2011
Part-time, $8.00/hour

Administrative Volunteer, American Red Cross, Savannah, GA
Jan. 2010 – Aug. 2010
Volunteer

Animal Care and Guest Services Volunteer, Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah, GA
June 2009 – Sept. 2010
Volunteer

Administrative Intern, Bay Theatre Company, Annapolis, MD
June 2009 – Dec. 2009
Volunteer

Animal Keeper, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, MD
July 2007 – Dec. 2007
Part-time, $8.00/hour

Junior Keeper Volunteer, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, MD
July 2004 – July 2007
Volunteer

And if it’s not obvious, here is why I’m concerned:

• I’m worried it looks like I’m not experienced enough to hold a “real” job.
• They might not take me seriously.
• If they take me seriously enough to hire me (which would be awesome), I’m worried they’ll offer me considerably less money than I believe I’m worth.

Of course, I’m also checking out volunteer opportunities. Insert some quip about a leopard and spots here. I have a feeling I’ll have plenty of time on my hands, anyway. Especially if I don’t get a job right off the bat (but keep your fingers crossed, please).

I’ll do my best to come up with things to talk about. In the meantime, know anyone in Chicago who’s hiring?

Oh! And I recently read Marie Claire‘s latest issue and actress/philanthropist/awesome-human-being Olivia Wilde discussed her own volunteer work and passion for getting younger generations involved. My favorite quote was, “If we can make giving cool, can make volunteering cool, we can start some kind of a revolution.”