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An Education from Serving in an Election
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Is serving an education? That’s not how we usually think of serving. But an education is just what I got when I recently volunteered to work a local election in my community.
What I learned from the experience had nothing to do with politics; nor was politics the reason I chose this way of serving. I simply was curious about the role and thought it a good way to serve in my community. Some parts of the experience confirmed familiar, but important, volunteer-engagement principles (see Part 2), but my main take-away came from seeing first hand some important truths about my local community.
Part 1: What I learned about my community
Excerpts:
. . . the value people place on having their say through their vote
. . . how much else am I missing in my own community?
. . . after polls closed, seeing our local courthouse swarming with people delivering ballots cast
. . . how this applies to the serving of individual Christians
Read Part 1.
Part 2: From a Volunteer's Perspective
. . . It's healthy to be a new volunteer in a new environment every now and then!
Read Part 2.
We in Chicagoland are enjoying the fact that the new pope, Leo XIV, grew up here! But what most sticks with me from the papal transition is a painting. After the death of Pope Francis, I read that his favorite painting was The Calling of Matthew by Caravaggio.
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From the Archives: How to Delegate
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At church or home or work, delegation is both useful and biblical. This long-ago blog post is a good reminder of how it's done.
Are you good at delegating? Most of us aren’t . . . We serve in order to get things done. Delegating tasks may feel like cheating.
Let’s be clear. Delegating is not ‘dumping’ — giving someone a task or a responsibility with a brief, “Here; now it’s yours” and then walking away. Delegating also is not ‘directing’ — giving someone a task then standing over their shoulder with, “Now do this; now this. No, not that way!” Neither approach is appreciated or effective. Delegating involves a thoughtful balance between letting go and remaining in charge.
Do you have questions about where and how to serve in your church or community? Do you have questions or comments about volunteering in general? Leaders of volunteers, do you have questions about your role? Ask Karen here. In conversation, we both learn!
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