tagged w/ Volunteerism
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Japan town embraces volunteer who stayed after tsunami
By John M. Glionna
Chizuru Nakagawa has worked 18-hour days to help rebuild Ogatsu since the March 11 quake and tsunami. But instead of just donating weekends, she moved there.
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Los Angeles Times...
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Photo:
Chizuru Nakagawa, left, talks to residents of Ogatsu, in northeastern Japan. “She’s more involved than most real residents. She knows what needs to be done,” a local merchant said of Nakagawa, a volunteer devoted to helping the town rebuild after the March quake and tsunami. (Tom Miyagawa Coulton / For The Times)
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By John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times
December 6, 2011, 5:19 p.m.
Reporting from Ogatsu, Japan—
The slender woman in a puffy black ski hat and camouflage pants hurried among the crowd at the opening ceremony for a new vegetable market here, carrying a rolled-up events schedule like an architect with a set of building plans.
Her cellphone never stopped ringing. Between smoking breaks, never finishing an entire cigarette, she dragged tables and ran to consult village elders, playing coordinator.
Chizuru Nakagawa isn't a resident of Ogatsu. Rather, she's the volunteer stranger who came and stayed.
"She's more involved than most real residents," merchant Yorio Takahashi said at the opening ceremony, marking the first commerce in Ogatsu since a tsunami wrecked buildings and swept 300 people to their deaths. "She knows what needs to be done."
For months, the 36-year-old Tokyo resident has worked 18-hour days to help rebuild a town she didn't realize existed until the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
She's among the legions of volunteers who have responded to Japan's worst natural disaster, swarming the stricken northeastern coast to clean up wreckage and pound nails into new homes, carrying word that outsiders care about what happens to people here.
There's the Japanese American who sponsored a summer baseball league in the tsunami-hit area; the Tokyo photographer who takes family portraits, turning them into postcards that survivors can send to loved ones; and refugees from Myanmar and Uganda who want to assist the residents of their new homeland.
"Many have been politically persecuted back home. They know what crisis is," said Shiho Tanaka, a spokeswoman for the Japan Assn. for Refugees. "They want to show that even though they're not Japanese, they can help their new society."
In recent years, many younger Japanese, especially those laboring long hours in the big city, had lost their tasuke-ai no kokoro, or spirit of helping, some say. March 11 changed all that.
"The event woke up many young people to the old ways," said Shuken Hatayama, who met Nakagawa after leaving a Tokyo chef's job to volunteer in Ogatsu. "Especially when you see the support that the rest of the world has offered Japan, you know you have to do something for your own people."
Yet few have shown more altruistic zeal than Nakagawa. Rather than just donate weekends, she moved her life to Ogatsu.
Along the way, she has negotiated the often-difficult inner workings of small town life, dealing with jealousy, power struggles and personality differences as she tries to make a difference.
An admittedly impulsive woman and career volunteer who works part-time jobs to pay the bills, she says she does not regret the sometimes heavy personal toll her lifestyle brings.
Nakagawa, who is single, for years inhabited a small apartment in Tokyo, supporting various causes — funds for Chernobyl descendants or memorials to the Holocaust — working for pay only when she had to.
Asked why she never married, had children and settled into suburbia, she paused and finally acknowledged with a sigh, "Yes, that would be nice."
Ogatsu represents Nakagawa's biggest challenge yet. She intends to remain here for two years, until the town gets back on its feet.
She knows that will mean many lonely nights, smoking cigarettes in front of her computer, connected to her life and friends in Tokyo only through cyberspace.
"I have a simple calculation for life," she said, lighting up another cigarette. "When you see people in need, you have two choices, either you help or you don't. I have to help."
It began in late March when Nakagawa approached several Ogatsu men shoveling mud. She had been helping out at local emergency shelters when she heard about overlooked Ogatsu.
The village was still littered with piles of wreckage, where fewer than 1,000 of its 4,300 residents remained, the others having either died or fled. Althoughsome communities drew so many volunteers that many had to be turned away, Ogatsu — isolated by forested mountains, reached only by a twisting, turning road — was left on its own.
Nakagawa asked the men what they needed. When one said they hadn't eaten a hot meal in weeks, she canvassed nearby restaurants for donations and soon served up a warm dinner. The men's faces spoke their thanks.
With so few buildings left in Ogatsu, Nakagawa slept in a city hall meeting room in an adjacent town. She showed up at dawn each day with her sleeves rolled up high, asking what she could do.
She also displayed initiative. She met Hatayama and the two decided to set up a delivery service called "Talking and Tea," visiting newly built prefab units to draw people outside to drink tea and discuss their problems.
"If you ask a person from the countryside if they have troubles, most retreat under a shell and say they're fine," she said. "But when they open up to talk to you about real issues, that's the sign that they trust you."
Nakagawa was soon immersed in Ogatsu's internal politics, personal dramas so frustrating that she sometimes felt like leaving. She ran interference for residents who barely spoke, coaxing groups to become less exclusive and accept residents they didn't know.
She found that most decisions were made by a few wealthier fishermen who in good times employed other villagers. Directing the aid that arrived in town, the leaders often kept the best goods for themselves and relatives, a trickle-down system that Nakagawa wanted to end.
"I tried not to be confrontational, but sometimes I had to lock horns with people. There were tense moments."
Even Hatayama, whose father is a local monk, was amazed by Nakagawa's influence. "She's a peacemaker who wants to make everyone better in their own way," he said.
On the day of the market opening, a steady rain began to fall, driving residents under umbrellas.
The inclement weather cranked Nakagawa into overdrive, as she helped elderly women reach the cover of tents. Her cellphone never stopped ringing.
Most folks here now know her by name. The stranger feels welcome, and feels at peace with her plans to stay for at least two years, until private donations have helped residents rebuild their homes, a hospital, town hall and small businesses.
But Nakagawa has set another, more personal, goal: "I want to help show residents how to walk on their own two feet again, so they can become inspired to help someone else."
She watched a pair of women eye carrots and lettuce, finally able to buy food here in Ogatsu, not 20 miles away.
"Now," Nakagawa said, "the real work begins."
.Japan town embraces volunteer who stayed after tsunami
By John M. Glionna
Chizuru... more
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According to a study by the late Stanford Universtity social psychologist Alex Inkeles concluded in a paper presented to the American Sociological Association that 10 siginficant traits had continued in the American character for two centuries. Inkeles, an expert in national character, was a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and a sociology professor at Stanford University when he died on July 9, 2010. See VFW Magazine June/July 2011, pp. 18-19.
Read the following ten traits identified by Inkeles, then ask yourself whether we, the American people, and our politicians, have forgotten what it means to be an American!
1. National pride in America’s virture and uniqueness. This pride, almost our national religion, has “persisted remarkably intact over the 150 years” since French political thinker Alex de Tocqueville published Democracy in America (1835 and 1840). “Nowhere else was there the extraodinary unanimity displayed by the Americans singling out their political and governmental institutions as special objects of pride,” Inkeles said.
2. Self-reliance. Benjamin Franklin extolled this kind of homely virture (including autonomy, independence, persistence and initiative) in pre-Revolutionary days, and de Tocqueville cited individualism and self-reliance as distinctive American traits in 1830.
3. Volunteerism. Americans are joiners. They feel obligated to take part in community action.
4. Trust. Many others reported on the openness and friendliness of Americans, their casualness and spontaniety in chance encounters. Inkeles said the evidence showing that “a high degree of interpersonal trust to be an outstanding characteristic of contemporary American is quite extensive and notably consistent.
5. “Can-Do” Attitude. A sense of being effective, or being able to improve the physical and social world prevails.
6. Optimism. Americans have confidence that striving toward a goal leads to success.
7. Innovativeness. Openness to new experiences and ideas is a hallmark of the American character.
8. Adaptability. The notion of welcoming and pursuing change is commonplace.
9. Anti-authoritarianism. This is an almost innate birthright, carrying no psychic need to submit to higher political authority.
10. Equality. A sense that one’s intrinsic worth is the same as anyone else’s in a basic American trait.
Inkeles also noted other American attributes, including restless energy, pragmatism, a tendency toward brashness and boastfulness, a preference for the concrete and a certain discomfort with aesthethic and emotional expression.
Editor’s Note.: Los Angeles Times writer Robert C. Toth summed up Inkeles’ findings in a newspaper article at the time of the study.According to a study by the late Stanford Universtity social psychologist Alex Inkeles... more
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pawms1
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Interesting blog post about the pros and cons of paying to volunteer internationally http://tinyurl.com/3ca4mb8Interesting blog post about the pros and cons of paying to volunteer internationally... more
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Meet Dan, a new dad who's joining tentogether.org, a movement making massive impact for orphans thru no individual effort
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I1If-cilKEMeet Dan, a new dad who's joining tentogether.org, a movement making massive... more
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I talk to companies every week about employee volunteer programs. It doesn’t seem to matter if the company is local business or a multi-national Fortune 500 corporation. Invariably the conversation begins with the question of how to get more employees to participate as volunteers. Next, we explore how the volunteering program fits within the company and what the outcomes have been so far. Finally, we talk about metrics. What is the data telling you? Usually, this brings us right back to the beginning of the conversation: participation rates and how to increase that number.
It makes sense that a successful corporate volunteer program is well attended by employees, but that’s not necessarily an indication of strength or sustainability. So in these conversations I try to share at least two alternative measures to use that get at the health of a volunteering program.
1. Motivation. Why are people volunteering?
Understanding the reasons why people participate is essential to discovering the program’s long term potential. When people volunteer for the first time, they are usually motivated extrinsically. This is completely normal. We all want to help; give back; make a difference. But if we’ve not volunteered before, we usually don’t “own” these motivations. Instead, they are extrinsic to our personal lives and they exist outside of us. They are not intimate. While extrinsic motivations are important, they are not deeply rooted in our personalities.
Eventually, if volunteering programs are designed well, people will begin to discover their intrinsic motivations for volunteering. Intrinsic motivations are tied to our sense of self. This kind of motivation is connected to who we are. It is essential that people transition from a general sense of ‘it’s the right thing to do’ to highly personal reasons. Why? Obviously the more we are personally invested, the greater our commitment. The question isn’t, “How many people are showing up?” but rather, “How much of each person showed up.”
http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/Measuring-Strength-Your-Volunteer-Program#I talk to companies every week about employee volunteer programs. It doesn’t... more
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The traditional approach to volunteering and our veterans has been to encourage Americans to get involved at local organizations as a way to support the troops. By partnering with organizations that deliver services and programs to vets, active military personnel, or military families, Americans can do their part to salute the men and women who protect and defend our nation.
But there's another way volunteering can help troops: by providing our active and veteran forces with ways to find meaning and purpose in our local communities after they return home.
Target and VolunteerMatch Respond to Help Returning Servicemen and Women Find Service Opportunities
On Veterans Day, VolunteerMatch and Target Corporation announced a new partnership to make it easier for veterans to find service opportunities, for citizens to support the military through community service, and for service organizations to more effectively recruit volunteers in local communities.
The partnership is a response to a new report written by Civic Enterprises and underwritten by Target and the Case Foundation that found that veterans who had participated in service opportunities since arriving home from Iraq and Afghanistan had smoother transitions than those who had not.
To make it easy for visitors to find military-related volunteer offerings, VolunteerMatch has added a new Interest Area, "Military Families & Veterans," to the VolunteerMatch system.
By choosing "Veterans & Military Families" for their listings, organizations make it possible for visitors to the VolunteerMatch Advanced Search page or any of our hundreds of network partner sites will be able to quickly find ways to get involved at thousands of local organizations.
Military service and community service are both strong in our nation, and volunteering at local organizations is a great way for these traditions to come together to strengthen local communities. We salute the men and women who defend our nation and we're proud to do our part to help ease their transition home.
http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/Want-help-our-troops-Help-them-volunteer-community#The traditional approach to volunteering and our veterans has been to encourage... more
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Texas is not Obama country. In fact Barack Obama lost the Lone Star State to Republican John McCain by a not-even-close 55-43 margin.
But today the president makes his first trip to Texas since winning the White House, accepting the invitation of former President George H.W. Bush -- otherwise known as Bush 41 -- to join him at Texas A&M University to celebrate volunteerism.
And conservatives on the Aggie campus are planning to protest, a wide-ranging complaint about everything from Obama's healthcare plan to his recently announced Nobel Peace Prize. As one put it on meetup, "The opportunity to make sure Obama gets a very clear TEXAS-SIZED MESSAGE to stop the liberal assault on our country cannot be passed up."
Worried the protests might get out of hand, Bush 41 wrote an open letter to "the A&M Family," on Wednesday that began with “Howdy” and concluded, “I cannot wait for Obama to experience the open, decent and welcoming Aggie spirit for himself. This will be an important national moment, and a moment for Texas A&M to shine in the national spotlight as it always does. I hope and believe it will serve as a point of Aggie pride for many years to come.”
Does the first Bush have cause for worry? Well, you be the judge. Last fall the school's Young Conservatives held an anti-Obama event on campus, encouraging students to throw eggs at a picture of the presidential candidate and participate in a "socialist on a stick" Obama ring-toss.
More @ linkTexas is not Obama country. In fact Barack Obama lost the Lone Star State to... more
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Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 23, 2009
“Arm yourself….with knowledge!”
Captain’s Comments
This will be the last newsletter by me for a few weeks. Lt. Rich Pate will be Acting Captain until July 13 when I return. If you miss a newsletter, try checking www.thebarbarycoastnews.com for current and archived police reports.
Last week we gave a fond farewell to Day Watch Lieutenant Harry Pearson, who retired after 32 years of valued service to the City and County of San Francisco. I met Harry while we were both patrolmen at Northern Station in 1980 when the station operated out of an old school at 841 Ellis. Harry was and always has been a “cops’ cop.” He was always making good arrests and sharing knowledge with other officers. I recalled at his retirement luncheon of the time in about 1982 when my partner and I stopped a suspect in the Northern District holding a small bag of what looked like soap chips. After consultation with Harry, our resident Narcotics expert, it was determined that the substance was a new type of drug that we were hearing about called “crack cocaine.” Soon afterwards it became prevalent around the country. It’s just one of so many examples where Harry lent his expertise and experience to newer officers in crime fighting. Harry worked several years at the Narcotics Bureau as an officer, a sergeant and as a lieutenant until coming to Central Station a year ago. We are all better by knowing him.
Congratulations to Night Watch Sergeant Robert Harwood, who was honored by MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers on June 18, 2009. It’s no wonder, since Sgt. Harwood is known for his expertise in DUI recognition and arrests. Sgt. Harwood has been sharing his knowledge with the night watch officers and the response has been well received. The next DUI Checkpoint Operation will be done by the Traffic Company in the district on July 3, 2009.
Police Commission Meeting in the Central District-Postponed
Due to construction conflicts, the Police Commission in the Central District has been postponed for a future date. The Commission will hold their regular meeting June 24th at City Hall.
REMINDER- Message from the Chief regarding proposed cuts to Public Safety
Budget Hearings resume on Monday, June 22 at 5:00 PM, in the Board Chambers, City Hall Rm. 250. SPECIAL ORDER - 5:00 P.M. –Public Comment for the 2009/2010 Annual Budget
SF Pride Celebration will take place next weekend, June 27th and June 28th. People from all over the world come to this event to celebrate. The festivities take place at Civic Center from Noon to 6pm on Saturday and Noon to 7pm on Sunday. Sunday is also the day of the big parade. The parade kicks off at 10:30am at Market and Beale and ends at Market and 8th. For more information on the festivities and parade route, go to www.sfpride.org.Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 23, 2009
“Arm... more
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Last week, when President Obama announced United We Serve -- he called on all Americans to volunteer this summer and do our part to rebuild our communities.
When he said "all," he meant it.
Today to kick off United We Serve, First Lady Michelle Obama, Cabinet Secretaries, and Senior Administration officials have fanned out across the country to participate in service projects.
The First Lady is rolling up her sleeves alongside the First Lady of California Maria Shriver and Corporation of National and Community Service acting CEO Nicky Goren to help build a public playground at Bret Harte Public Elementary School in San Francisco. Defense Secretary Gates is spending time with our veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Commerce Secretary Locke is reading to children at La Mesita Homeless Shelter in Mesa, Arizona. Just to name a few.
It's going to take all of us working together to build a new foundation for America and it will happen one community at a time. Watch this special message from the First Lady to learn how you can do your part:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/United-We-Serve/Last week, when President Obama announced United We Serve -- he called on all... more
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The Manti 9th (YSA) Branch of the LDS Church visits the Manti Stake Humanitarian Center in Manti, Utah.
This episode was edited by Emma Black
http://www.youtube.com/user/tallemma
300 East 263 North, Manti, Utah
Mondays 6 AM - 12 PM
Thursdays 6 PM - 9 PMThe Manti 9th (YSA) Branch of the LDS Church visits the Manti Stake Humanitarian... more
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puente
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3 years ago
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An America where citizens unite and take responsibility for their communities and our nation’s future. An America that restores the great tradition of citizen service, and honors the profound sacrifices made by so many Americans who have passed before, from the small band of Founders to the millions who have fought for equality and justice at home, and defended our freedom abroad. ServiceNation is about an America that is ruggedly idealistic, compassionate, and above all committed to the idea of shared sacrifice in pursuit of America’s boldest promise: liberty and justice for all.An America where citizens unite and take responsibility for their communities and our... more
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Reggae on the River has been canceled, Reggae Rising has taken its place.
The community in Southern Humboldt County is split over the loss of its Reggae on the River music festival and the take-over by People's Production.Reggae on the River has been canceled, Reggae Rising has taken its place.
The... more
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