How can I help?

How can I help?
This seems like such an innocent question, right??
It is always asked with the best of intentions from someone who would not be asking if they did not mean it.
And yet…I realized over the last year that it is often a tough question to answer.
That epiphany has put me on a quest for what I call a “tangible call to action.”
Anyone who is currently serving on a board, committee, or planning panel with me is very likely already sick to death of me saying “tangible call to action,” but I’m not giving up anytime soon.
I believe that if we are accepting assistance – and I can NOT survive without it! – then the person offering that assistance deserves a clear, concise response that includes a tangible call to action.
First of all, not providing a tangible call to action is disrespectful of the gift of a person’s time.  Without specific directives, one can not lend a helping hand, thus offering to do so is a waste of everyone’s time.  Harsh, but TRUE.
Secondly, many people simply want to serve as a worker bee.  They do not want to share in the big picture, the vision, or the scope of a project; they simply want to do a little manual labor to lighten the load, feel a sense of accomplishment, and move on with their day their life.  They can only accomplish this if they’ve received a tangible call to action.  Seriously, I can’t expect someone to DO anything if I can’t tell them what needs to be DONE!
Lastly, if committee members, helpers, and volunteers do not have a checklist – a tangible call to action – which can be physically checked off as they go, then they feel unwanted, unneeded, and unnecessary.  As the leader of the group, I know that is far, far from the truth, but if I have not given out the tools needed to work with me, then that is the message I have sent.  And just like an accidental email, that message is out there forever.  I cannot take it back.
Sooooo…I’m putting my rantings into reality.
Last year, many – as in NUMEROUS – wonderful friends, neighbors, acquaintances, co-workers, and family members asked how they could help as Coach and I chaired the 2017 Tulsa Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Sadly, I did not have a quick reply, a workable answer, nor a tangible call to action.
Because I was unprepared to lead them, their offer fell on deaf ears, and while some hung around to enjoy the event for themselves, many others felt unwanted, unneeded, and unnecessary which means they moved on to other endeavors.
Well, I do WANT help, NEED help, and REQUIRE help to make this year’s event what it should be!!
I’ll be doing a much better job of providing specific – and tangible – calls to action, and here is my first:

Please join me for our 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Volunteer Kick Off Party which is coming up on April 12th. It’s from 6-8:30 in the evening at the Hardesty Regional Library – Pecan Meeting Room (8316 E. 93rd Street). When you asked how to help last year, we didn’t have great answers. This year we are working to make that an easier process.
The planning committee “leads” will be on hand to share their “piece of the pie” in producing the Walk.  Perhaps you are passionate about outreach, possibly you could help us organize recruiting and awareness events, maybe you’d like to assist with the logistics on Walk day…whatever your flavor, however much time and energy you are able to contribute, you can find the perfect place to serve.
You’re not committing to anything by attending the kickoff, so please come on out if you can!!
For more information and to RSVP for the orientation, contact Rebekah at the Alzheimer’s Association Tulsa Office: 918-392-5000 or via email at readams@alz.org.
Of course, you can always reach out to me, too, and I promise to have a ready response which includes a tangible call to action 😉
See you on the 12th!
With love and hugs,
Ashli