If you have a passion in something and are willing to leave your footprints on a society in need of a helping hand, volunteering is a step in the right direction. Every individual can make a difference. It's about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
A workshop on reclaiming passion and being a leader in your own community was presented by Terri Frysh, community engagement coordinator with Student Life, on Feb. 22 in O'Brian Hall. Frysh provided students with the inspiration to volunteer, as well as a chance to discuss different experiences and attitudes when it comes to making a difference.
To start off the presentation, Frysh provided a quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Using the quote, Frysh started a conversation about the importance of getting out and doing good.
According to Frysh, there are many reasons people devote their time and resources to a cause. Academic credit, the drive to help others, gaining leadership skills, and exploring a career are all good reasons to make a difference. Frysh's only recommendation is to volunteer and get involved in an organization you're passionate about.
"Find out what you are passionate about because that is what will motivate you," Frysh said.
According to Zarina Jimenez, a junior speech and hearing sciences major, students attending the workshop appreciated the way Frysh presented the ways to get involved and acknowledged her efforts to look at volunteering from a different perspective.
"Listening to the presentation makes you want to go out there and really make a difference. I enjoyed it because even though I am used to volunteering, [Frysh] showed a different aspect and motivated me to take it as a leadership experience," Jimenez said.
According to Frysh, in order to make a difference, students must identify the right project for themselves or for a group. It only takes one person to make a difference in a community.
"If you're truly passionate about what you do, others will catch on and join you and a small group starting out can turn into something bigger then you thought possible," Frysh said.
Frysh asked students what they would do if they had all the resources in the world - what problems would they solve? What would they change or create?
"She brought up the fact that no idea is too big or too small. She was willing to say and provide the resources that can help someone with any ideas, and I really liked that," said Brandy Fish, a freshman legal studies major.
Pending the students' answers to Frysh's questions, students' first instincts should drive their volunteering. Students who are able to enjoy their work will, in turn, make the biggest impact.
"I thought it was really important that she mentioned that volunteering doesn't just have to be about helping the sick," said Christopher Jackson, a senior political science and psychology major. "Adding personal enjoyment, and volunteering in something you are interested in will be more beneficial because you can share your own experiences. It's not like doing work because you are doing something you like to do."
According to Fish, the workshop reinforced the idea that one person can make a difference.
"Even though we are broke college students, it's not always about money and academics," Fish said. "If you can spend time to help someone it is worth it."
The workshop addressed the ways that students can get involved in volunteering, through an online database at www.leadership.buffalo.edu or stopping in the office at 235 Student Union.
"It gave a lot of details about things we can do to get involved and some great resources. It let me know a lot about the campus and community I live in," said Mark Glasgow, a junior bio-technology major. "I plan on participating in a lot of the events the presentation mentioned."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
