As new families in a new year, we are all looking at our family investments for 2011. This article asks us to consider expanding the definition of investment in your family for 2011 to include volunteering in established local organizations or starting something new in your town.

As a family take a few minutes to talk about what each of your families said about those that volunteered in your community when you were growing up. Were these people respected because they went beyond the call of job and family? Were they ignored, because salary was directly linked to importance of the work? Were they appreciated, but there never seemed to be enough time in your own lives to get involved?

Once you have discussed how you each grew up around the idea of being a volunteer, take some time to decide how your family might like to be part of an effort to help local organizations. Many of these local groups are losing funding that previously helped their cause. Although you married each other for the strengths you have individually, now might be a great time to find a place where the two of you can commit time together as a family. Regional organizations are supported using local help with food drives and often help organize walks and races for regional charities. Many local families work to organize events for local environmental goals like river clean ups and community park additions, local hospitals need assistance, and local towns always need help to set up entertainment for families staying in town on the weekends. Finding a place to volunteer your talents as a family will help not only your family to problem solve together, but also help your family to be more connected to where you live and make a change for someone you know.

If at first you don’t succeed, find another local organization that you both love and both are needed at. And, if you are both sure there is a missing need in your community that you two can fill, talk to you local government leader to see about starting something. There are missing athletic programs for kids in neighborhoods all over the country, too few animal shelters and funding to support staff to take care of these lost animals. There are hundreds of local organizations that so desperately need the help of a committed family in every community. Your family could make a difference and the only cost is your time.

Posted: 2011-02-27