Interconnectedness

This morning I did some community service (maybe I shouldn't put it that way; it sounds like a court sentence!) as a mock interviewer for the back-to-work program I volunteer with. I hadn't been in for a while, so it was nice to get back to it. In re-reading the director's email yesterday, I saw that there were going to be reporters at today's session. Now, I know my purpose in being there is to help the program participants refine their interview skills, but some of what I'm doing is also modeling, in the form on professionalism of dress and demeanor. I have trouble with the dress part every time. Most of my clothes are not business oriented. If I had to break my wardrobe down, I'd say that 20% is appropriate for only my house, yard, or the gym; 60% is okay for running errands and doing most of what I have to do -- jeans, nice shirts, t-shirts, etc.; and 20% is dressy, good for board events and awards ceremonies, or other special occasions. None of that is great for modeling professional dress, but I can usually pull something together. I was more nervous than usual about my attire because of the reporters, but once I started working, I forgot all about my clothes.

Anyway, before I went in, I had been thinking about how I discovered this volunteer opportunity. It was only in hearing an off-hand comment from one of my fellow coaches, who was donating clothing, that I even learned the workforce program existed. I expressed an interest, and the director followed up with me. I've been going in once a month, other than when I've been scheduled to score essays, ever since. I find it very rewarding. So that's one connection. While I was talking to the assistant director today, she said, "One of your ladies came in to our program." I really didn't know what she meant. It turns out that the mom of one of our students from the teen group I volunteer for had come in to get some workforce training. I love this! It really does bring everything full circle, and it shows me how small our community is even though it seems big.