Hello Everyone, I moved here from Southern California and was looking around in the community for a place to give back. I know that there are a lot of places to currently volunteer and the reason for this group is to get a community of people together who have different associations that they care about. I would like to help those individual groups by teaching one another of what each one stands for and how we as a group can help. In the past, it was thought that individuals volunteered strictly for altruistic reasons. The good Samaritan that goes out of their way to aid a stranger. The soldier who goes back to save a fallen comrade. It was the noble thing for someone to lend a hand for the greater good of mankind. People helping those in need for no reward, favor or any grand show of gratitude. However, recent studies have indicated that there may be other reasons. Some people volunteer to gain career experience, to build their resume. Develop skills or learn new ones. In addition volunteer work enables others to make contacts with people in their chosen career. Some people volunteer to build self-esteem, to make themselves feel better. To feel needed to feel that they have a place in this world. To truly feel like they are making a contribution to society. Some people volunteer for the social aspect, to climb the social ladder while helping those less fortunate. Some people volunteer as a result of the instilled set of values they have a set of values that compel them to act on deeply held beliefs about the importance of helping others. Some people volunteer because they have felt the cruel sting that life may have afflicted them or a loved one with. For example someone might volunteer for the American Cancer Society because a family member died of cancer. And some people do it because they want a better understanding about different people or the organization they serve, "bridging the gap," so to speak, in order to better understand their community and themselves. Whatever any of these reasons drives you to volunteer, the end result is that someone is getting help regardless of why. I do this for many different reasons. I gain a lot of pleasure from helping people. It does help your business to give. Personally whatever it is that drives you to be a better person is all good in my eyes. Volunteering is the ultimate payback to those who helped me on the road to success. My main group I have been helping in Austin is the Blood Center of Central Texas. My friends father is a very big Volunteer in Fort Worth and has really shown me the benefits of giving blood. What is your group? Where would you like to help? Let’s get together as professionals and find ways to create new opportunities for groups and people who need us. I promise you that it will be something you never forget. It can be a lot of hard work but we will have a great time doing it. The desire to give back to the community is renewed by the fact that I we can and will make a difference. So I implore everyone to find a cause and volunteer. Because not only will you be helping others, you will be helping yourself as well. Look forward to meeting you. When we have 5-10 people I will set up a meeting where we can brainstorm and decide a great way to shape this group to benefit our community. AJ Miller