THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
Service Spotlight | Fleming Slone
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
“The projects I work with bring people together from all different walks of life, and I’ve made all sorts of friends that I never would’ve even met if it weren’t for this work.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
Today we recognize Fleming Slone for his outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Fleming has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for about a year and a half, and recently was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award. When he's not volunteering, he spends his days as a Software Engineer at FLIR Systems. We caught up with Fleming recently to talk about his work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
Volunteering is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to better my community while also imbuing me with a sense that I really can make a difference in the world, even as an individual. My time spent volunteering has also broadened and changed my perspective on the world, and that’s something I’m extremely grateful for.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
I focus my efforts on hunger and addiction issues in Atlanta, problems that are unfortunately very widespread in our community. Having seen how these issues have affected the people in my life over the years, I take a very personal interest in making resources available to those in need, and hope to ensure that no one has to go it alone as they face the terrible challenges these problems create.
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
After volunteering with various organizations over the years I came to realize that I could make a greater difference if I had better organizing and fundraising skills. I saw the Civic Leadership Program as a place to work on those skills with an organization that has had a very successful track record creating leaders and making a large impact in the Atlanta community.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The friendships that I’ve built have been the biggest and best surprise about volunteering so far. The projects I work with bring people together from all different walks of life, and I’ve made all sorts of friends that I never would’ve even met if it weren’t for this work.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
For anyone considering volunteering, I say just go for it. It can be challenging at first, but after the first project or two I see volunteers come alive as they discover a new sense of purpose. Once you find the projects and the issues that speak to you personally, you really get hooked on making a difference. I know I did.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I spend the majority of my spare time either reading or playing music, which has surprisingly carried over into my volunteer work. After finding a piano at one of my projects I’ve been spending my spare time learning songs to teach the kids there.
Donate now to support Fleming and his fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.
Service Spotlight | Pamela Basye
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
“It is my dream that the undesirable population feel that they are important and loved.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
Today we recognize Pamela Basye for her outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Pamela has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 2 years and when she's not volunteering, she spends her days as a Special Education teacher with UAFA. We caught up with Pamela recently to talk about her work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
It is my dream that the undesirable population feel that they are important and loved.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
Education and hunger are the challenges that appeal the most to me. My mission is to close the achievement gap and decrease hunger in urban communities.
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
I saw this as an honor and opportunity to make a greater impact throughout varies communities in Atlanta.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The overwhelming number of volunteers that support Hands On Atlanta projects. On February 10, 2018 over 20 college students from Denmark served the students at the Discovery program at Heritage Elementary session by taking them on a virtual field trip to Denmark.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
I would encourage them to go to the Hands On Atlanta website where there a hundreds of opportunities and invite them to join one of the teams that I participate on.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I enjoy praise and worship at my church and dancing to my favorite playlist in the swimming pool at the YMCA.
Donate now to support Pamela and her fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.
Service Spotlight | Donnis Davis
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
“The appreciation you get from, not only the people you’re helping, but also from the agency personnel you volunteer alongside has been the biggest surprise for me.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
Today we recognize Donnis Davis for his outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta for more than 10 years as a Hands On Atlanta volunteer! We caught up with Donnis recently to talk about his work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
Volunteering gives me an opportunity to directly impact my community in the areas that I care about. It also gives me an opportunity to introduce family and friends to volunteering, while sharing our city's challenges with them.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
I care mostly about youth and "at-risk youth" specifically, as well as hunger and homelessness. I love volunteer with SWEEAC because that’s who I’m having the most impact with right now thru their mission of providing services in four areas of critical need:
Anti-Hunger
Life Skills Enhancement
Children at Risk
Dress for Success
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
I joined because I wanted to obtain the necessary skills to impact my community through ways other than volunteering such as recruiting volunteers, fundraising and networking to meet the right people that may assist you in creating community projects.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The appreciation you get from, not only the people you’re helping, but also from the agency personnel you volunteer alongside has been the biggest surprise for me. I was also surprised to learn how the impact my efforts can have on other volunteers as well.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
There are four things every new volunteer or volunteer leader should know:
Be committed and stay committed, because there are people depending on you and your time.
Be patient, because you may not see the results you initially anticipated going in.
Be positive, because not all projects go as planned.
Be grateful because your volunteers could have chosen a different project.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I enjoy spending time with my family, day excursions with my wife, and Falcons football. I also serve as a mentor at my home town high school during the school year.
Donate now to support Donnis and his fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.
Service Spotlight | Keona Maye
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
“I love it when volunteers show up early, ask questions about the organization and its mission, and leave smiling and feeling great about themselves. Hopefully it means they’ll come back.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
Today we recognize Keona Maye for her outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Keona has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 2 years and when she's not volunteering, she spends her days as a Senior Property Manager at Goal Property Services. We caught up with Keona recently to talk about her work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
I believe that our lives are not complete if we live them selfishly. It wasn’t until I began volunteering that I felt the most fulfilled and found purpose. It’s important for me to help others and serve especially because people have helped me. We’re responsible for one another.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
I care strongly about homelessness, which of course, relates to my career field of real estate. Atlanta has been named “One of the Neediest Cities in America” ranking high among cities like Detroit and Memphis due to a growing homeless population. It is my goal to partner with a nonprofit, such as, The Atlanta Children’s Shelter or Our House, that works to combat this issue.
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
I was considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management when I learned about Hands On Atlanta’s Civic Leadership Program. I opted to interview for the program instead of obtaining another degree because CLP offered training along with real world experience. I was also familiar with Hands On Atlanta and the amazing work that the organization was doing for local communities. I truly wanted to be a part of its impact.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The biggest surprise about volunteering has been the people! You meet every day people with every day lives that decided to dedicate their most valuable asset - their time, and are actually excited about it. I love it when volunteers show up early, ask questions about the organization and its mission, and leave smiling and feeling great about themselves. Hopefully it means they’ll come back.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
I would advise that person to find their “why” and a volunteer opportunity that they really enjoy. If they want to be consistent, it’ll be easier to participate when they understand the reason they actually want to volunteer and the difference they’re making. It also helps if they’re having fun and their interests are being met.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I spend lots of time with family and friends. They keep me pretty busy and it’s important that I foster those relationships despite my professional life. However, I’ve also started a vacant home cleaning business that is beginning to grow and thrive and definitely takes up more of my time.
Donate now to support Keona and her fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.