That Special Someone

That Special Someone (Hint: It’s not who you think.)
Some of the most important people in my life didn’t have to be there. They made a choice. They decided to spend several hours every week coaching the basketball team or preparing lesson plans for Sunday School or just taking me out for coffee and conversation. They didn’t have to, but they did. Maybe you’ve had people in your life like this too. People who genuinely care and who genuinely want to pour themselves into others. Maybe you’re one of these people. Or maybe you’re not – yet.

Organizations like Novo cannot exist without volunteers and as we begin our recruiting drive for the upcoming school year, we thought we’d take a closer look at this not-so-rare breed called the volunteer and ask some questions about volunteering. Contemplate these questions and see where you fit in.

What is “volunteering”?
Did you know that the word volunteering is 400 years old? It originated in the 1600s and while the spelling may have changed, the definition hasn’t. According to Merriam-Webster, a volunteer is “a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service; . . . one who renders a service or takes part in a transaction while having no legal concern or interest.” Even Wikipedia agrees: “Volunteering is the practice of people working on behalf of other or a particular cause without payment for their time and services.” For over 400 years, people have been giving of themselves because they want to – because they see a need and have responded to that need. And the needs of today – of 2010 – are great, but not insurmountable.

Why do people volunteer their time?
After conducting some face-to-face and online research, these are the answers we’ve come up with:

• Social Motivation:
- Volunteers appreciate the sense of community provided by team volunteering.
- They feel a social expectation to serve.
- There is a sense of affecting greater change through a group setting.
• Spiritual Reasons:
- God has commands or direction related to helping the widows, fatherless, or children.
- They have a sense of the eternal and want to make an eternal impact.
- They have a desire to share their faith or truths they believe are life-changing.
• Philanthropic Desire:
- Volunteers want to give to others.
- They can’t give financially, but can offer time.
- They sense a specific need and have a desire to meet that need.
• Requirement:
- Volunteers are sometimes court-ordered.
- They may be required to volunteer through school or work programs.
- Some parents require their children to volunteer.
• Physical Needs:
- Some volunteers have a desire to exercise.
- They want a creative outlet.
- They want to “get out of the house.”
• Possess a Particular Skill or Set of Skills:
- Some volunteers have special skills that someone else needs.
- They want to develop their skill set.
- They want to learn a new skill.
• Desire for Self-Improvement:
- Volunteers want to take the opportunity to receive training.
- The experience will look on a resume.
- They want a sense of personal accomplishment.

Maybe as you read this list, you found yourself falling into one or more of the above categories. What motivates you? Think about it.

Where do people volunteer?
Nearly 27 percent of America – 63.4 million adult Americans – volunteered this last year. More than one-third of all volunteers choose to give their time to churches and faith-based organizations.* People give their time to beautifying their communities, tutoring children, assisting at schools, helping at churches, providing food or shelter to the homeless, and a multitude of other causes.

What about you? Where do you volunteer? What passion motivates you to give of your time and abilities?

Volunteerism and Novo Ministries
Novo Ministries has recruited and equipped more than 115 volunteers this past school year. We are passionate about connecting caring, loving role models and mentors with inner-city boys and girls. We facilitated 17 program sites during the 2009-2010 school year and had more than 1500 children enrolled. Volunteers are more than just a help to this program – volunteers are the heart of this program, the driving force that makes impacting each of these 1500 children a reality. Without volunteers, we have a program. Novo exists, but we could not reach these boys and girls.

You might be surprised to find out, however, that as much as you are working to affect positive change in the lives of these boys and girls, that they are actually changing you. Take a moment and think about what current Novo volunteers say about our program:

“Not only will the kids you work with be changed, but the individual as well. And the life lessons you learn while here – you can use them anywhere.” – Brianna Gomez

“[Novo programs] show kids an alternative to the lifestyle they’re in. [They] provide opportunities for discipleship and relationship building.” – Elizabeth Axt

“Novo gives students the opportunity to interact with inner-city youth, where we wouldn’t have had [this opportunity] before.” – Vodi Ferrell

“My church is a very missions-minded church. With Novo’s ministry . . . we can reach students and impact the community near us, in addition to the passion we have for international missions. It is a wonderful complement to our missions focus.” – Misty Kitchell

“[Novo is unique because it] is not confined to a denomination or church. It is just a bunch of Christians who want to love and teach children.” – Caleb Martin

“I see these programs bringing hope to these children who are in hopeless situations. They are making a difference for eternity.” – Carolyn Shepherd

The needs are great, but not insurmountable. Life-change is happening, one child at a time – one volunteer, one passionate person at a time. Are you ready to be part of the adventure?

We are currently recruiting volunteers for the 2010-2011 school year. Whether you are called to teach, lead, or support – there is a role you can fill in our weekly programs.

Training will be offered periodically between now and early September. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator – Sarah Hunnicutt – at 405.664.3964 or shunnicutt@novoministries.org for updated dates and locations!

Want to check us out first? Come visit one of our upcoming Open House this summer!

July20th – NE OKC
Trinity Missionary Baptist Church
320 Northwest 79th Street
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

August 3rd – Moore
Nottingham Square Apartments
2444 North Nottingham Way
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

August 4th – NW OKC
Metropolitan Baptist Church
7201 West Britton Road
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

August 11th – SW OKC
Oak Grove Apartments
3301 Southwest 17th Street
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

R.S.V.P. to Sarah Hunnicutt – shunnicutt@novoministries.org