Problems getting involved

Sarah, if you get a chance, get back to me on this. I just emailed a second time to the Houston office trying to get involved. It's been a little over a month since my initial contact, and as Darcy mentioned, I'm just trying to be patient, since I'm sure there's more on their schedules than most of us are aware. I believe that I have quite a bit that I can offer to our local office, and am really interested in seeing what I can do to help.

Thanks for your help, or anyone else's.
PHILIP (Hudsonsdad)

Philip-

Susan is the one from the MoD chapter that contacted me. But that was after James Soohoo sent her a second email. I had a really rough time getting involved too and I think they are trying to fix it.

email me at: sschmizel@sbcglobal.net

We will swap information and I will forward that to Susan who in return will hopefully get someone to contact you. They are all really nice people and are eager to get volunteers in, so I'm sure it's just a miscommunication error.

It's so nice to be able to meet other Share members who are from my area!!!

I can't wait to hear from you!!!

-Sarah

I just came across this strand. I have been having trouble getting involved as well. I have contacted my local office (Edina, MN)by phone and on the internet. So far I have heard nothing. I'm not giving up but I just don't know where to go next, short of calling more. Is that my best plan? Do they want people like me to get more involved or is it better to just keep to the walk and nothing else? I don't want to end up being more of a pain than help. What do you think?
Kathy

Staffers really do want you to get involved! Really and truly! I also think that this is a relatively new campaign (launched in 2003) and starting slowly since then, and quite rapidly since 2005, there are so many new and interested volunteers. This is a great problem to have!

Unfortunately, the protocol isn't in place (yet!) on the best way to handle all these new callers and emailers. And although everyone, and I mean everyone, agrees that ignoring them IS NOT THE SOLUTION. Yes it is still happening in some chapters. I'm so very sorry about that. Believe me when I say I understand how frustrating that is.

But not for long, I promise this. Some chapters, and some divisions will take longer than others... but the movement, the protocol, the best practices are being put in place, one chapter at a time.

Not since the Polio days has this organization seen such a large, grassroots uprise of volunteers coming out of the woodwork. it's fantastic! it's inspirational! So where do we put them all?! seems to be the echo in halls.

If you lived here in Iowa, I'd have already roped ya' in. Until then, be patient, polite and persistent. Call and ask who is the Mission Family chair, or the Family Team Chair, or the staffer who is the volunteer liason. Ask for a schedule of events, and what you can do to get involved in those events.

A good time to call is now. Try this, "Hey, what is going on for PAD? I know it's on 11/14 and I'd love to get involved and help out in anyway I can, because [insert mission story here]!"

If your division isn't ready, come back here and let me know. I have a great idea for planning an all-out virtual fundraiser that I just learned about last week from my friend, and national staffer Tony Choppa.

Hang in there. Call this week! Let me know what they say about PAD.

I'm rootin' for ya'!
Darcy

I have the same problem, I've been trying to get involve and no one seems to want my help. But I'm in Austin Texas.

Yazu,

Have you called your local division office in Austin?

We have a big event coming up in a few months, WalkAmerica. It's in April in most communities. Perhaps you could call after the holidays and ask how to get involved with Walk America. You could form your own team, or ask about helping on the Walk committee.

It takes a lot of planning to get ready for WalkAmerica. I bet they'd love some help!

Good luck,
Darcy