Saying goodbye to a volunteer position and....

It just wasn't celebrated enough I think. I've done it for years...indeed have returned to it after having had a paid position several years earlier, which included it.

I edited a monthly newsletter for my congregation. I enjoyed it, even if it was sometimes a chore to get people's submissions that they'd agreed to send. There was that one month when I had to chase down the minister, the religious education director (every month to be honest), and then I put the wrong people's birthdays in from the preceding month. It was a shambles, because I didn't even have a proof reader because she was sick. Would she have caught the birthday fiasco? I think not! It went to press as it was.

But all the other issues were right on. As we hippies used to say.

After that January edition I decided to give a 6 months notice. That's the end of the fiscal year, and changes do happen more at that time. However new blood in the organization wanted changes sooner. Since I had this up and down health issue, I missed a couple of meetings. I could have called and been on speaker, but it didn't happen. I didn't appreciate their way of telling me, "Barbara will be publishing her last edition in March."

Oh well. Now I am a free person, and it was really an easy job to do, just squeezed up at the end of each month to get it all organized.

And I am pretty well organized, at least as far as office methods go.

But let's admit, my emotions have not been served well.

So I shall work up a ritual where I let go of that job, and any resentments I may have, and get open to the next fun thing that may come along!

And it is probably already part of my life. A small group of dedicated environmentalists working to network with other groups, to provide a way for small groups of people to improve their neighborhoods...by teaching them about Doughnut Economics as a model to evaluate people's needs in balance with those of the earth. I've mentioned Doughnut Economics before. Check out here  if you're curious.

Our meeting Friday last had us brainstorming a way we could work under a non-profit so as to raise operating expenses. A late comer to the meeting said, "I know this group which would be ideal...interested in green ways in our towns." Just the timing that we needed.

Then we celebrated our first year as Swannanoa Watershed Action Network (SWAN)...some munchies, and a game which was cooperative and lots of information sharing.

The New York Times published it in Aug. 2022, called "Save the Earth."

At times I sat next to the youngest person there, a good contrast because I was probably the oldest person there!

We met our game's goal in time...within certain alloted moves, and everyone was involved in the success!