I am currently
performing service for Operation New View. The most challenging aspect that I
have faced while performing this service deals with communication. Most of the
work that I am doing takes place away from the actual company, so I am not in
direct contact with the other workers on a day to day basis. I have to
communicate with them through e-mail and as we all know sometimes technology
fails us. Sometimes I will spend a long time working on a marketing brochure
for the company, only to have them e-mail me and say that they want it done
differently than they originally specified. This is frustrating, but I just
remember that I am doing some good work for them and that they are very
appreciative. So far everything is going well and I look forward to continuing
my service with Operation New View.
I have gained a deeper
understanding of the organization by doing service for them. The work that they
do is difficult and time consuming. Yet the employees who work there get paid
just enough to be working at minimum wage. The amount of effort that they put
in does not equal the amount of monetary gains that they get out. Personally, I
would not be able to work as hard as they do for the small amount of funds that
they receive. But that is what makes these people unique. They are not
concerned with themselves; they are concerned with the greater good and helping
the less fortunate. In their minds money is not important, and all they want to
do is help others who do not have the tools to help themselves.
Austin,
ReplyDeleteYour experience with Operation New View sounds very frustrating. I have had similar experiences working at Hy-Vee where I have to redo an entire job because four different bosses disagree on how it should be done. I find it funny that I have had quite the opposite experience in my volunteer work. Instead of being told to change it over and over again, I am simply receiving too little input about what they really want. I find this equally as frustrating as I am worried that all my work may amount to nothing. Finally, as far as working hard for little to no pay, I agree with you completely; you could never do that!
austin- that does sound extremely frustrating. Luckily I don't have to deal with people on that kind of level with my volunteer service at the Humane Society; I'm sure my own frustration would probably show a lot more in conversation with people I am working with than you seem to let yours. However, that is exactly right-you just have the look at the big picture and realize just how much you are helping them out. From the sounds of it in your description of the service center you are working with, it is a VERY needed service you are giving them. Hold onto that one grain of gold! It's the same with me at the Humane Society with realizing just how much the people are working and how hard they are working, for only about minimum wage. There is definitely a high level of dedication to service and helping serve the underserved that one who works for such low wages at such a high-demanding job that is required for this work. Nice blog post overall.
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