On Service

It's about to get preachy up in here y'all!

Those of you who know me know I recently started a new job. It's an exciting time that comes with an obligatory orientation that is usually filled with overwraught slide show presentations, sexual harassment videos, and HR policies. By and large mine was exactly what I expected. Thrown together with a group of people who work in all different areas and a smattering of college hires. One of those enthusiastic recent graduates was seated at my table and we got to chatting about how he came to choose this position. I asked if he had thought about pursuing some kind of service adventure(peace corps, teaching fellows, teach for america, JET, etc) before starting his business career path. He instantly rolled his eyes and explaine he had never been much for altruism and never even considered it. I swear I felt little pangs of sadness in my heart for him! The tender age of 22 and not even a thought for the good of the poor, the hungry, the earth, anything! Sigh.

Thank God what I was about to say to him was interrupted by the start of the next presentation. In walks a tall dark and handsome man in a polished suit that made me momentarily forget the young cynic to my left. He introduced himself as one of the senior executives at the company and thanked us in advance for listening to his presentation on...wait for it...SERVICE. Whaaaaa? After hearing about profit margins for hours, we're going to hear about giving what now? He opens with a quote from one of his favorite writers Marian Wright Edelman, "Service is the rent we pay for living." He explains his personal work on the non-profit group within the organization and the importance of giving back. I'm not doing it any kind of justice in my recap, but I was legitimately moved. Maybe he even reached the ambitious profit-seeker just out of school.

It doesn't require giving up your entire life, but take some time and dedicate it to a cause you believe in. I personally work with the DC Campaign to End Childhood hunger by enrolling low-income people in the food stamp program and tutor with a local charter school. I'm not single-handedly saving the world, but hopefully making a difference for those individuals I have worked with. If you don't know where to volunteer and you're in the DC area check out Greater DC Cares: http://www.greaterdccares.org/ for projects looking for volunteers.