Volunteering

I'm fortunate to have had many opportunities in the local - and global - communities I have lived in, and it's my turn to give back, now that I have the time. However, my motivations are not entirely altruistic. I get a lot out of it too. Here's a great essay about why you should volunteer.

If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer, a great resource is VolunteerMatch, which was selected by Time Magazine as one of the year's Top 10 Sites in its 2007 annual survey of news, business and cultural touchstones. Here are some things I am working on now, most through VolunteerMatch:

The Conversations Network, a listener supported non-profit podcast network publishing a wide range of recordings on the latest in technology, traditional and emerging media, and social change. I am working both as a post-production audio engineer and as a website editor.

Somerset Art Association, a non-profit organization located in Bedminster, NJ that welcomes artists of all ages to explore the visual arts through educational and interactive programming designed to encourage and promote arts awareness. I redesigned and maintain their website.

Mid-County Senior Services. This organization in the Philadelphia area has a program called Chore Connection that links community volunteers to low income older adults who need help to stay in their own homes. I am helping them upgrade their promotional materials.

The Queenie Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to education about the humane treatment of animals and pets. I redesigned and maintain their website.

The Montgomery County Concert Band, a top notch all-volunteer community band based in Lansdale, PA. I developed and maintain the band's web site.

Energy Users' Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of solar energy in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. I developed and maintain the web site.