Just curious.

There are various opportunities to volunteer on base and I am just wondering what others have done, or are doing, and what they liked and did not like about it.

I am not doing anything currently, but did volunteer for Navy Relief for a few mos and then the base library for about 6 mos when we lived overseas.

Navy Relief was ok but the office was staffed one volunteer at a time, and was pretty dead, except at STAP time, so I just could not take the isolation and lack of work! I could have just stayed home. My true highlight was when the classroom next door had a lunchtime class going on and I could watch the students file in and out.

I moved on from there to the library and did basic stuff like reshelving, shelf reading, checking books out and in, and some minor repairs. It was much more enjoyable as there were usually a couple staff on hand and always patrons in and out. It was attached to the air terminal so we also got people coming through just stretching legs and browsing. Plus, I like libraries!

I am going to look into helping out on base here if I can find a provider with drop in room for my soon to be 1 year old (that could be the sticking point unfortunately). I was thinking about the family center, doing whatever they need, or talking to the Red Cross to see what they have need for.

If you volunteer on base, or have in the past, what do you do and how do you like it?

I have done a lot of volunteer work. I started out as a housing Mayor, when the housing was still owned by the Army. That was a lot of fun, coordinating community events, and passing out information.

Then I became an Army Family Team Building instructor, which I still am. That's also a lot of fun, teaching new spouses what the military life is about and what the expectations, customs, courtesies, resources, etc are.

Then I was a youth sports coach. Coached soccer, baseball and cheerleading. Eventually became vice president of the Youth Sports Council. Always fun playing with kids!

I also was the Youth Chair for the Red Cross, coordinating the youth summer volunteer program. Interviewing, placing, and tracking teen volunters.

I worked with Family Advocacy talking to new parents about the resources available to them, not only on the installation but within the community as well.

I was a Cub Scout Leader for awhile. I have all boys, so no real choice there.

I've held various positions on the board of the Spouse's Club, right now, I'm the President of ours.

I think I missed a few in there, I know at one point, I held 8 volunteer positions on our installation. In fact, that is a huge part of why I got my job, because I cared so much about the community, and of course, it gave me great job skills!

My advice, decide what you are interested, is it working with kids, working with parents, working with the community as a whole, disaster education, etc, then find the agency that deals with that, and go from there. Good luck!

I currently work on post PT as well as volunteer. I volunteer for DH's FRG unit both at BDE, BN and Co level. I also volunteer at AFTB. I'm a Master Trainer.

I'm a Master Trainer as well. I'm just waiting for our program to get back up and running so we can do more classes!

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Originally posted by Army_to_Air_Force:
I'm a Master Trainer as well. I'm just waiting for our program to get back up and running so we can do more classes!

Goodluck! We have a very active program here. We have a class just about every month.

We did, when I was the AFTB program manager, lol. I left the position in July 2006, and it seems like no one is willing to fill it, or they only stay about a month. I'm glad to know that the program is alive and well in other areas though!!

The listing for that position is out now, I believe, so hopefully we will get someone in there soon!