Intentional Volunteer

The Intentional Volunteer Podcast - Episode 007 Motivation Service is driven by the depth of the “why,” so in Episode 7 of The Intentional Volunteer Podcast, Cari Berlin, John Bobb-Semple, and Dr. Shari Zimmerman discuss personal motivation to volunteer. Drawing on both academic research and individual experience, Cari, John, and Shari talk about the reasons people started volunteering and how it continues to affect them today. John McCain said, “Every day people serve their neighbors and our nation in many different ways, from helping a child learn and easing the loneliness of those without a family to defending our freedom overseas. It is in the spirit of this dedication to others and to our country that I believe service should be broadly and deeply encouraged.” Whether it’s trauma, travel, or a life-shattering realization, the voices on today’s episode delve into the myriad reasons people are intentional volunteers. Thanks to Kirk, Judy, Lorraine, Ray, Mario, Chancen, Brenda, Axel, Cory, and Katie for contributing to this episode! We hope that you will join them in the conversation at www.TheIntentionalVolunteer.com [http://www.theintentionalvolunteer.com]. Mentions: * History of volunteerism in the United States [https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2013/04/18/volunteering-history-of-an-american-value/] * Why Tennessee is “The Volunteer State” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee#Nickname] * Ernest Odunze in Episode 5 [http://theintentionalvolunteer.libsyn.com/working-with-intention-in-a-community] * John McCain volunteerism quote [http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1840633,00.html] * Food justice [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_Justice_Movement] * 1988 Armenian earthquake [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Armenian_earthquake] * Incarceration of women in Oklahoma [https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-oklahoma-has-the-most-women-per-capita-in-prison-1514898001] Thanks to our sponsor, Crossover Radio. You can stream Crossover Radio at crossoverradio.org [http://www.crossoverradio.org], download the app in the App Store [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crossover-radio/id1248003353?mt=8] or on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crossoverradiof&hl=en_US], or connect at facebook.com/thecrossoverradio [https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoverradio]. The Intentional Volunteer believes that you can change the world, your urge to help is a gift, and the best path to real change is listening, learning, and then serving. Join the conversation at www.theintentionalvolunteer.com [http://www.theintentionalvolunteer.com].

The Intentional Volunteer Podcast- Episode 006 With 1.6 million registered charities in the United States - not to mention schools, faith communities, and individuals with a mission - there’s an overwhelming number of organizations at which you can volunteer. In Episode 6 of The Intentional Volunteer Podcast, hosts Cari Berlin and John Bobb-Semple, discuss bad fits, good fits, and how to decide. With the help of Dr. Shari Zimmerman and Volunteer Extraordinaire Ray Haefele, this episode offers ideas on identifying what is important to you, locating organizations that fit, and starting your volunteer journey. You don’t have to worry about planting the entire forest; just focus on the tree right in front of you. Mentions: * Charity Navigator [https://www.charitynavigator.org] * Connect with Ray Haefele [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-haefele-0302a48] Join the conversation at www.theintentionalvolunteer.com [http://www.theintentionalvolunteer.com]. Thanks to our sponsor, Crossover Radio. You can stream Crossover Radio at crossoverradio.org [http://www.crossoverradio.org], download the app in the App Store [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crossover-radio/id1248003353?mt=8] or on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crossoverradiof&hl=en_US], or connect at facebook.com/thecrossoverradio [https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoverradio]. The Intentional Volunteer believes that you can change the world, your urge to help is a gift, and the best path to real change is listening, learning, and then serving.

The Intentional Volunteer Podcast- Episode 005 Working With Intention in a Community This podcast is the first building block of helping listeners develop their own framework for volunteering.  Hosts Cari and John consider an updated definition of “community”, including geography-based communities and online communities. John confesses being a member of the “bald community” and the “Hamilton” community. Whether it’s working with a Boy Scout troop in Tulsa, OK or navigating “community” in Belarus, New York City’s Burroughs, the Balkan nation of Bulgaria or the slums of Kenya, the importance of doing the work to understand the community in which you serve. John interviews Ernest Odunze, Community Outreach Director  at Restore OKC, who shares his journey to being an “accomplice”, serving the Northeast Oklahoma City community and the broader church into the work of reconciliation. Quotes: Cari - As a volunteer you can’t expect to know everything about a community, but you can certainly stay open to learning as you go. John - It’s really healthy to be able to lean in, ask questions, and just be ok with not being the person in the room who is the expert. Mentions: * Restore [http://www.restoreokc.org/] OKC * AmeriCorps [https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps] * Black Lives Matter OKC [https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterokc/] * The Intentional Volunteer [http://www.theintentionalvolunteer.com] Thanks to our sponsor, Crossover Radio. You can stream Crossover Radio at crossoverradio.org [http://www.crossoverradio.org], download the app in the App Store [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crossover-radio/id1248003353?mt=8] or on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crossoverradiof&hl=en_US], or connect at facebook.com/thecrossoverradio [https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoverradio]. The Intentional Volunteer believes that you can change the world, your urge to help is a gift, and the best path to real change is listening, learning, and then serving.

The Intentional Volunteer Podcast- Episode 004 004: Volunteers Behaving Badly Part 2 Happy endings are what we look for when we try to help! As volunteers we are driven by a heart to give! People respond with heartfelt good intentions. But to be effective, an intentional volunteer is careful not to create additional barriers for the organization or individuals being served. Hosts Cari and John continue the conversation about volunteers behaving badly – when volunteers unintentionally cause more harm than good. Cari recaps her story about volunteering in Belarus, and confesses that as soon as she went to work for the organization, she made a mistake when planning how to distribute toys to the children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Cari - “I had failed to do the most basic things, which was to ask the folks who were doing the work” John and Cari compare notes on living in tornado country, and share stories of relief efforts following the 2013 tornados in central Oklahoma. Dr. Shari Zimmerman shares a story from her PhD research of a university research project that resulted in participants in a community garden program abandoning the garden. Cari introduces The Intentional Volunteer’s “west coast correspondent” Alli Holmes, an experienced volunteer and volunteer leader. Mentions: * Belarus and the Chernobyl Disaster [http://www.un.org/ha/chernobyl/belarus.html] * The Anatomy of Giving [https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Giving-Augusta-Dwyer/dp/0994976607/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544651331&sr=8-1&keywords=anatomy+of+giving] by Augusta Dwyer * AmeriCorps [https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps] * SBP [http://sbpusa.org/] -Organization responding to disasters * Hurricane Sandy Fast Facts [https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/world/americas/hurricane-sandy-fast-facts/index.html] * VOAD [https://www.nvoad.org/] – Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters * Consumer Report [https://www.consumerreports.org/charitable-donations/best-ways-to-help-in-aftermath-of-a-natural-disaster/] – Best Ways to Help in Aftermath of a Natural Disaster * Charity Navigator [https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=310] – Tips for Giving in Times of Crisis * The Intentional Volunteer “HELP” poster [https://www.theintentionalvolunteer.com/posts/2265752] Thanks to our sponsor, Crossover Radio. You can stream Crossover Radio at crossoverradio.org [http://www.crossoverradio.org], download the app in the App Store [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crossover-radio/id1248003353?mt=8] or on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crossoverradiof&hl=en_US], or connect at facebook.com/thecrossoverradio [https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoverradio]. The Intentional Volunteer believes that you can change the world, your urge to help is a gift, and the best path to real change is listening, learning, and then serving.

The Intentional Volunteer Podcast- Episode 003 Break out the cookies and milk for story time, folks. It’s time to talk about those volunteer experiences that don’t go quite as expected. Hosts Cari Berlin and John Bobb-Semple discuss the important task of ensuring that helping doesn’t turn to harm by outlining ways to cultivate an awareness of your role in support of a cause. As John says in this episode, “When I have the opportunity to call it an issue and not my life…#privilege.” Using the framework provided in social justice research, the story of two unexpected weeks in Belarus, and a marriage, this episode of The Intentional Volunteer Podcast reminds us all that people are not projects. The best path to real change is listening, learning, and then serving. Mentions: * Guide to Allyship [http://www.guidetoallyship.com/] * No Innocent Bystanders: Becoming an Ally in the Struggle for Justice [https://www.amazon.com/No-Innocent-Bystanders-Becoming-Struggle/dp/0664262627/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=] by Shannon Craigo-Snell and Christopher Doucot * Imago Dei [http://www.pbs.org/faithandreason/theogloss/imago-body.html] * Belarus and the Chernobyl Disaster [http://www.un.org/ha/chernobyl/belarus.html] Thanks to our sponsor, Crossover Radio. You can stream Crossover Radio at crossoverradio.org [http://www.crossoverradio.org], download the app in the App Store [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crossover-radio/id1248003353?mt=8] or on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crossoverradiof&hl=en_US], or connect at facebook.com/thecrossoverradio [https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoverradio]. The Intentional Volunteer believes that you can change the world, your urge to help is a gift, and the best path to real change is listening, learning, and then serving.