A Call For Volunteers

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about the new mental health organization I'm working on forming, and the different aspects/projects that I plan to incorporate. I have created a general timeline, starting this month (August 2013) through next July, 2014 for each project. These dates are very symbolic - an organization that I've been heavily involved in has it's annual meeting each July, and I wanted to attend next year with my new organization well in the works, so that I can get the most out of the networking and educational opportunities.

I have been checking the timeline diligently, and reaching out to friends for thoughts and suggestions on some of the basics. However, with the month of August officially half way over, I realized it's time to delve deeper into the tasks for this first month, and work on a more robust strategy. In thinking over all that I want to develop, I've come to a very profound yet probably obvious realization: there is absolutely no way I can do this entire thing alone. At least not with the timeline I have in place, and the details I want to include. Besides, even if I could, I wouldn't want to. First off, I still have my travel planning company which, at this moment, is my only source of income, and I need to dedicate a large amount of time to that. Secondly, I know myself, and I'll get simultaneously excited and overwhelmed by everything I want to do with this organization, and ultimately, I'll freeze up, unsure of what to do next, how to execute everything I hope to, the best way to handle obstacles, etc. And so, I'm unashamedly asking for assistance. 

Since I'm doing an open call for volunteers, I figured it would help if I let everyone know what I actually needed help with. As you may remember from my previous blog, it's come to my attention that my biggest strength is being a visionary, a person who sees the overall picture, who knows who to put in place to help in each area, and what I want to do in the grand scheme . I tend to be the 'jack of all trades, master of none' type. Which means I need people who excel in more of the "how" to help me develop this organization successfully. 

Here are the tasks at hand that I'm hoping I can get some help with, at least to start off. Some people have already mentioned that they'll assist, which I think is amazing, though I'm still including those items to give an overall idea of the tasks at hand. I will absolutely take all the volunteers I can get, as many of these tasks may be too much for just one person. As usual, the only order these are in are the order in which they come into my head. 

• Help creating the step by step process for each project that I'm envisioning. This will undoubtedly require several people, each of whom feels most comfortable helping with one of the projects. For example, you may have experience organizing writing courses, but not feel comfortable with creating a mentorship program. Of course, if you feel confident in helping with multiple projects, you're certainly welcome to. 

• Help naming each project and the organization as a whole. I've already had some great suggestions on this - just need to fine tune and finalize. 

• Help promoting/marketing/getting the word out for each project during the development and once established. 

• Help reaching out to potential mentors and men-tees for the mental health mentoring project (name TBD). 

• Writers/editors for articles in the mental-health-focused youth magazine. 

• Anyone with any ability to create websites, logos, online magazine template, that kind of thing. I realize that it takes a lot of time to create these, and I'd never ask someone to do it for free. More I just need suggestions and thoughts. 

•  Help creating, editing, and scrutinizing the business plan. 

• I already have an excellent partner for organizing fundraising/charity events, though I'm sure we'd love any extra volunteers we can get. 

• I also have a friend who is wonderful at creating writing courses and events, who I'm excited to brainstorm with. I can always use additional help spreading the word with these as well!

I'm sure I'll think of more things, and if you foresee something that you could help with that I haven't thought of yet, I'm all ears. Currently, this is a personally funded project, which means I'm doing it as cost-affordable as possible. Which in turn means each of these would be volunteer "position". Once I get this organization off the ground, I'd love to hire people when feasible, even on a project-specific or as-needed basis. At the time being, though, it's out of the goodness of your heart (thank you!). You get the pleasure of knowing you're helping creating an organization for the amazing cause. And maybe some pizza and beer if you live locally. 

All suggestions and offers to volunteer are greatly appreciated! As always, thanks for reading and for your support and please feel free to pass this along. I've learned that "six degrees of separation" - or sometimes even two - can create some incredible contacts.