Community (not the TV show).

#7 Community.
Where have you discovered a community – online or otherwise – in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

(Author: Cali Harris)

Four months ago, I was asked to consider adding a (huge) new project to my plate. After several weeks of thinking on it, I accepted and am now the volunteer coordinator for a non-profit/fair-trade market that my church organizes and hosts. I joined a committee of about a dozen people that have been working together for several years. They know each others habits and oddities. I am one that has a hard time stepping into a new environment or circle for the first time, but they were nothing but warm and welcoming.

Then came the actual market. For three days, I had parishioners step up to volunteer to work. From setting up the day before to taking down the last afternoon. From greeters, to table workers, to cashiers to servers in the café. As the volunteer coordinator, I was the first point of contact for those giving the gift of their time. What was wonderful for me was that I was able to put faces to the names that had been familiar for several years. The volunteers all worked hard to pull off a successful market.

Finally, the shoppers!! The reason the market IS. Of course, parishioners shopped. But also, many people from the surrounding communities. We did a lot of publicity; posters, sandwich boards, other churches, TV, newspapers, online. The numbers spoke for themselves. We had a significant increase in sales from last year. More than $60k worth of merchandise was purchased. This will make for some great holiday gifts. But more importantly, that is $60k that is going to help others around the world that NEED it.

I was exhausted at the end of the three days. But I was on a tremendous adrenaline high. To see everyone come together, simply to help others out made me so proud. I was honored to be asked to join the committee. And now that I’ve sat through one year, I know what I need to do next year to make my role work better for the community. I look forward to another year of getting to know my fellow committee members better and seeing the market take shape again!