Complimentary Monday

Today, I had an interview to volunteer with Female Cow International.  They are a charity organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing livestock and training to struggling communities according to their website and through what I learned in my tour.

When I arrived, I noticed that the parking lot was concrete for the most part, but that where you actually parked your car was on top of gravel.  I figured they either A) ran out of money for concrete  or B) it’s Arkansas and the contractor thought it was considered decorative.

Well, thank goodness they had little signs along the sidewalk that pointed to the small building at the back of about 4 acres of land.  The big building that I parked in front of turned out to be the main headquarters.  I would also learn later on in my tour that this is the world headquarters.  Arkansas……houses the world headquarters…..baffling yet astonishing.

I walked into the information/learning center and was greeted by the liveliest 60 year old woman I have ever met.  We will call her Ann.  I introduced myself and stated that I was there to see Mary (name has been changed) for a volunteer interview.  Ann called Mary.  Mary asked Ann to show me around for a little while until she came to interview me.  So Ann did just that.

I don’t know how long Ann has been a volunteer at said place, but she should be their spokesperson with the enthusiasm she has for the organization.  She also holds and explains all sorts of organizational knowledge.  A few key points I took away from my tour with Ann:

• Said Org International never goes into a country unless they are invited
• “” will purchase livestock in the country that it is being gifted in.  That way, the livestock is better acclimated to the environment, etc.
• “” will not enter a war zone or any dangerous environment.
• “” asks that the first born female of the livestock is gifted to another family in the village and so on and so on (pay it forward)
• There are traveling teachers.  Meaning, teachers with literally a classroom in a suitcase that travel from village to village teaching children
• There are many ways people can help:  giving stock or securities; loans that are paid back (micro loans); funding a project (helping a Puerto Rican farmer start a crop); browse the gift catalog; etc etc
• There are rolling water tubs that make it easier to carry water and the tubs do not puncture.  This helps children free their time for more schooling.
• Before a family, village, recipient can receive the livestock, they must first learn how to tend to the crops to feed the livestock, how to care for the livestock and how to maintain the livestock

There are many more extensive steps to the process.

Right about the time Ann finished my informational tour, Mary showed up for my volunteer interview.  It really was an interview.  Out of all of ,my volunteer experiences so far, this is by far the most professional one (Museum Fullll of Kids running a close 2nd).  She asked interview-type questions.  Mary was professional yet I felt super comfortable around her.  I believe that the more I volunteer, the more I am able to just be myself around people.  I never meet a stranger anymore in a sense.

Well, contingent upon the completion of a background check, there is a standing offer for me to be a volunteer with Female Cow International at their Special Events and speaking engagements.  Which means, I have got to turn into “Ann Jr.” and learn everything about “” that I can.  I will be going through extensive training, 4 hour sessions at a time, for 1-3 months.  Sounds tiring just thinking about it, but what an awesome opportunity to engage in special events for the world headquarters of an organization that pays it forward to end poverty and starvation?  That warms my heart so much.  Definitely worth any 4 hour session, no matter how many months it takes.  Mary ended the interview by saying, “You are just the cutest thing ever.”  I get this a lot for some reason.  I believe it’s the chipmunk cheeks.

So, after my interview with Mary, I got to follow Bob (name change) around on a grounds tour.  This was a perfect day for a grounds tour.  I believe it was like 73 degrees outside (really windy, though) which is a complete change from the snow and ice we had 5 days ago.

Bob was a man in his late 60’s.  A retiree who had just eaten onions on his lunch break and evidentially had broccoli as well (it was in his teeth).  I realllllllly liked Bob….broccoli teeth, onion breath and all.   Here are some key points I took from the outdoor tour/headquarters tour:

• the architect of the building was 37 years old
• the building is as “green” in functionality as can be
• the roof is inverted……meaning it is an upside down roof…..all of the rainwater is collected into a big silo type thing which is allowed to be used in the sprinkler system for fires; to flush toilets; run electricity for the building; etc
• solar panels are used
• the building is in a concave shape to capture the sunlight.  The building is also 60 feet from one wall to the other.  It’s something to do with sunrays reaching 30 feet inside a building.  So if sun is hitting a concave building both sides, then you have sunlight through and through or something of that sort…..
• the building is made completely of recycled materials
• all of the steel in the building is made from recycled steel from cars/trucks
• the heating and air system is in the floor….the heat and air blows up from the floor…..something about studies show that heat and air are lost when blowing from above and blowing down and around; by having the heating and air system in the floors, that makes it easier for maintenance to work on the system (and I’m sure OSHA is happy)
• And lastly……..the parking lot…….remember the whole concrete and gravel????  there is a genius plan behind that!  The parking lot is actually molded at a couple of angles.  Bet that was hard pouring that concrete.  Anyways, the gravel absorbs rainwater which then flows underground to a holding tank that they have at the end of their property.  Geniuses.

Well, I went to shake Bob’s hand and tell him bye.  He asked a little about me.  I explained to him about my New Years Resolution being bettering myself and others through humanitarism and volunteering; and also what I do full time for a living.  He was impressed.  We talked a little about his experience with people in my line of work (a positive experience, thank goodness, haha).  Then, he ended with a firm handshake and “you are a beautiful girl.”

I don’t know if it’s in their manual to compliment each new person or if everyone was just in a complimentive mood today; either way, I’ll take it!  I really look forward to this experience.  To know that a person, a village, a kid, a newborn baby will no longer go hungry or will learn their abc’s or wont have to make 10 trips to get water, etc because of an organization that I volunteer for, that is beyond amazing in my book.  I may never see the people that are affected by my good deeds through this organization, but I will hold it close to heart that I’m making a difference.  Plus, there are constant reminders throughout the building of stories of individuals who have been helped, sent to college, given a cow, given a loan, etc.

The Seals…..no, not the Navy…..no, not the SeaWorld seals….

Today, I went to meet the higher upper of the Bunny Seals (name change).  I also went to fill out remaining paperwork that included background checks, etc.  My time concluded with a tour.

Let me start at the beginning.  After waiting 3 hours at the revenue office to get a new drivers license, I headed to the Bunny Seals’ office.  I knew where it was, although I had not physically ever stepped foot inside before.  Well, while worrying for 3 hours whether or not my time at the revenue office was going to make me late for my appointment, I wound up being 15 minutes early for my appointment. Score!  Total relief.

I waltzed into this super nice, well kept, clean smelling building the size of a high school.  I checked in at the front window as instructed to do so by the sign on the door.  I let the receptionist know who I was there to see.  He then let me know that she was not in yet, but should be shortly.  I took a seat.

After about 20 minutes of waiting, I walked back up to the window because I was actually going to ask the receptionist if I was suppose to have signed the “LOG IN” sheet that I had noticed when I first arrived.  He interrupted and asked if I was sure that I was at the correct building.  I had no clue there was another building.  He let me know there was another one about 3 miles down the road.  He gave me directions.  I was totally not familiar with the area, my cell phone had just died and my car charger was at my apartment.  Negative score.

After about 5 miles of driving in the direction that the receptionist had told me, I was able to power my cell phone on long enough to call my friend/coworker who was more familiar with the area than I was.  Unfortunately, she had no clue as to where this other building that I was looking for was either.  She only knew of the other one that I did.  So, I back tracked.

By this point, I was 25 minutes late.  I had decided that I was taking one more turn and if the Bunny Seals office building that I needed to be at was not to be found, then it wasn’t meant to be.  That’s how I look at things.  Everything happens for a reason.  We may not understand why, we may not like the reason why, we may not agree the reason as to why, etc.  Anyways, CherMeister Philosophy 101 will resume another day 😉

Hot diggity…..there it was!  It was meant to be!  I parked.  Went inside, said hello to the receptionist, who in turn said, “Cher?”

Puzzled, I replied, “Yes ma’am.”  She laughed and said that Mrs. So and So had let her (the receptionist) know that she was anticipating my arrival.

I took a seat.  Looked at the clock.  32 minutes late.  First impression?  Oh well. I’m here.  That counts, right?

“Cher?”  I turn around.  Mrs. So and So introduces herself and immediately starts to apologize about not letting me know about them being in the “hidden” building that most people aren’t familiar with.  WHEW!  Off the hook.  I still apologized for my tardiness, though.  Manners are part of my upbringing.

I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Mrs So and So.  I filled out the paperwork, she briefly went over the volunteer handbook which included a point that I want to bring up.  Photographs are not permitted.  This is for various reasons.  Some parents do not want their children photographed.  There are children, adults and teenagers of various learning/mental abilities/capabilities/levels.  I respect their wishes and put myself in their shoes.  With that being said, anytime I volunteer at the Bunny Seals, I will try not to mention the company’s name.  I will post about my volunteer experience though.  I will just keep it broad and keep it to the volunteer aspect 🙂  I know that has nothing to do with photographs, but I figured I would keep it all broad and respectful, you know 🙂

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, where was I?  Oh yeah.  After we briefly went over the handbook, Mrs So and So was eager to take me on a tour.  At this particular facility, the children are here.  The building that I originally went to accommodated to the adults.  Mrs. So and So had asked me while I was filling out paperwork which I preferred to volunteer with (children or adults), and I said whichever I was needed with more; I am here for them however they need me.  Sorry, I kinda got off track.  So, back to the eagerness.  She showed me the different classrooms, therapy rooms, introduced me to the teachers, volunteers and even interacted with the kids.  I 2,000% felt at home.

I don’t know if it is because I am infected with the volunteer bug that I feel so at ease at each new establishment or if it’s the vibe of these places.  Honestly, I think it’s the vibe.  I say this because each place I have volunteered at so far has a purpose of bettering others.  When you are bettering others, you are bettering yourself as a person as well.  It’s full circle.  Everyone is grateful for everyone.  I believe that’s where the “vibe” comes from that I’m talking about.

Here’s the funny part.  We were about 2/3 finished with the tour and Mrs. So and So witnessed me interact with some children.  She looked at me, said, “Do you think this is the area you would like to volunteer?!?!?”  Huge smile on her face, by the way.  I replied, “Sure!”  She then said, “Can you start Friday?!”  I was like whoa! in my head….I mean….yeah the kids liked me….but what Mrs So and So didn’t see was that one of the kids threw a book at me when Mrs So and So turned back around.  Haha.  Kids.  Gotta love ’em.  I had to inform Mrs So and So that I work Friday.  She was disappointed.  I let her know that I have a set schedule and would definitely get back to her.

As we ended the tour, she asked me to please get back to her within the next couple of days.  She let me know that she really liked meeting me and enjoyed my interactions.  She also said that it is remarkable in regards to all of my volunteering.  She shook my hand, then placed her other hand on top and looked at me and said, “God Bless You”.

I look forward to these future experiences at this facility.  God has blessed me.

On a side note, I have a meeting on Monday with Femal Cow International (name change) to tour and interview with them.  They are a charity organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing livestock and training to struggling communities.

I am suppose to volunteer with the blind on Saturday.  The last two volunteer schedule dates have been cancelled due to inclement weather (most recent was this past Monday).  So, I will post if I volunteer, otherwise, talk to yall Monday!