About 6 weeks ago, I took on a volunteer opportunity for the Village of South Jacksonville.
As a Village resident, I've tried to be a part of the community since we moved here decades ago. First, through our kid's elementary school as a member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and second, through the Village as part of the annual South Jacksonville Celebration, then held at Dewey Park. Over the years, I left my volunteer positions and passed them on to others willing to give back. So many wonderful volunteers have been integral to successful endeavors and I am proud to have been one of the group.
Fast-forward to 6 weeks ago at a Village Board meeting when a JHS high school classmate, Kevin Eckhoff, and I were appointed Co-Chairs of the 2015 South Jacksonville Celebration/Concert in the Cornfield.
We've reached out to Village businesses as well as businesses in surrounding communities with incredible success. The number of people wanting to show support has been more than we could have hoped for when we began. Our appointment came in the middle of months of turmoil within the Village. You never know how you will be received when you take on an event amidst controversial circumstances.
It's been a true blessing.
After several years working as a Program Director in the non-profit arena, I left that position. It's been over a year since I have been in the professional world, per-say.
I've laid-low.
Recharging and reenergizing.
I've truly enjoyed my time back at home. Sometimes, we need to refocus our priorities. I've been fortunate to be able to do that. I've been looking for ways to positively give-back in venues I believe in. Those don't come along every day.
People say God has a plan. There are days it's hard to believe in that. I'm not a patient person, by nature. I'm not very good at waiting.
But, it was worth the wait.
Doors open where you least expect them.
Doors open where they should. When they should. You have no control. That's a fact of which I am now certain.
Several months ago, I started attending Village Board meetings. I hadn't been to one since the late 1980's or early 1990's when I was a news reporter for WJIL/WJVO Radio. One of my responsibilities was to cover those meetings. No one else attended, back then, except the board and reporters. It was a very quiet time in South Jacksonville. It's a much different story today.
I started going back because of what I had been reading and hearing in the news. I felt it was my duty as a resident to educate myself on what was actually happening
Little did I know my 'door' was about to open.
Volunteering for the Celebration/Concert was exactly what I needed. It made me remember why I used to volunteer. It gives me an adrenaline that feeds my soul.
I'm an organizer. I'm a problem-solver. Could be the mom in me. Whatever it is, I thrive in these types of situations.
I hesitated for awhile when I was asked to do this, my husband hesitated a bit longer. He's a pragmatist and looks at both positives and negatives. But, he knows how much these efforts mean to me so I knew he would support whatever I decided to do.
The door opened.
I walked through.
As I immersed myself in this...
Another door opened.
I was appointed as a Village Trustee. I'll be sworn in the Monday after the Celebration/Concert in a special meeting.
Two doors?
Incredible.
Unexpected.
I'm walking through...humbly, with the highest of hopes and the deepest of gratitude for the opportunities ahead.
It is what it is.
p
Several months ago, I started attending Village Board meetings. I hadn't been to one since the late 1980's or early 1990's when I was a news reporter for WJIL/WJVO Radio. One of my responsibilities was to cover those meetings. No one else attended, back then, except the board and reporters. It was a very quiet time in South Jacksonville. It's a much different story today.
I started going back because of what I had been reading and hearing in the news. I felt it was my duty as a resident to educate myself on what was actually happening
Little did I know my 'door' was about to open.
Volunteering for the Celebration/Concert was exactly what I needed. It made me remember why I used to volunteer. It gives me an adrenaline that feeds my soul.
I'm an organizer. I'm a problem-solver. Could be the mom in me. Whatever it is, I thrive in these types of situations.
I hesitated for awhile when I was asked to do this, my husband hesitated a bit longer. He's a pragmatist and looks at both positives and negatives. But, he knows how much these efforts mean to me so I knew he would support whatever I decided to do.
The door opened.
I walked through.
As I immersed myself in this...
Another door opened.
I was appointed as a Village Trustee. I'll be sworn in the Monday after the Celebration/Concert in a special meeting.
Two doors?
Incredible.
Unexpected.
I'm walking through...humbly, with the highest of hopes and the deepest of gratitude for the opportunities ahead.
It is what it is.
p
