Thursday, April 25, 2013

Volunteers

The Mullet Wrapper just arrived in the mail. This is the official publication of the Ocracoke Preservation Society ("When newspapers were first delivered to Ocracoke, the islanders would recycle them to wrap the mullet they purchased. As time passed, when buying a newspaper, people would ask for a 'Mullet Wrapper.'")

I was struck by the list of people who "make it happen" on page 6. More than 50 individuals (from eight years old to eighty years old) are listed...folks who have "donated photos" or "helped move anchors" or "painted a table" or "found and ordered a new sound system" or helped out in some other way. 

Just the other day I was told there are 29 non-profit organizations working on Ocracoke to make this a vibrant and dynamic community. Many thanks to everyone in our community who donates time, money, talent or expertise to "make it happen."

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of our island Post Office. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042113.htm.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:06 PM

    Amen to volunteers. I learned long ago that:

    - one person can't do it all,
    - every little bit helps,
    - if you don't like the way someone's doing it, then step up yourself,
    - and if anyone complains, give them the task to do next time around.

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  2. Anonymous8:52 AM

    If someone complains, is that the proper reason or manner to delegate? Perhaps the complaint is constructive criticism to be considered-- those that complain about capture and release of neutered Ferrel cats complain because a rampant

    population of feral cats preys upon songbirds and other wildlife in the ecosystem. just because someone abandoned their pet does not mean the society or community as a whole is benefiting from a loose cat in the neighborhood. Untrained volunteer firefighters rush into a fertilizer plant to their deaths I would hope this complaint raises HAZMAT awareness in this tragic set of circumstances. "One person can't do it all no but too many people expect one person to do just that i.e. blame the president for everything.

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  3. Anonymous9:38 AM

    Philip - I would be much interested in seeing a list of the 29 nonprofit organizations on Ocracoke. That's an unusual amount of dedication and involvement in such a small community.

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    Replies
    1. I will try to get a list. When I heard there are 29 non-profits I tried to identify them, but only came up with about 18. Look for my list here.

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  4. Anonymous8:24 AM

    It's possible that the person who mentioned 29 was including groups such as the quilters, who serve the community but are not legally structured as nonprofits. Eighteen nonprofit groups would make an admirable contibution to the community.

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  5. Anonymous8:27 PM

    Actually, anonymous, the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club (aka the Quilters) is a registered non-profit.


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  6. Look for my unofficial non-profit list Monday morning, April 29, 2013

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