MTV's Video Music Awards were on television last night, and neither the 9 PM hour nor the TV14 rating could keep my thirteen-year-old daughter from watching these awards showcasing the uber popular Jonas Brothers. If you've kept up with my blog, then you know I've written about these Jersey boys before here, here and here.    more »

The school year is in full swing, and it's time to get back to the normal pace of a routine; back-to-school, back-to-sports or back-to-work. It’s also time to GIVE back! I am a great supporter of volunteerism, and eking out time to give back to my community is an important part of my family’s life. Involving children in service clubs and community activities at an early age can help instill in them these altruistic values too. 

Usually, the kids’ regular routines will dictate what your days look like, but if you take a moment now to think about how much you want to pack into a single day you can limit how your commitments take over you. I tended to get over-committed with my enthusiasm to help out. I learned, through trial an error, that committing to one charitable or non-profit organization at a time is best for everyone!

If you have the time, here are some tips and information to help you select a volunteer opportunity: 

- Choose the organization that involves your children's education first. At the elementary and middle school levels I found that participating in PTA or PTO (there are similar organizations in different areas) is the best way to stay on top of your child's school and classroom activities. Your opinions and labor have an immediate impact on their education. These organizations require monthly meetings through-out the school year, and many hours of parent-power for various fund-raising events and activities.

- Become a board member of your child's sport organization. Many community sport organizations rely entirely on volunteers; Little League, recreational sport organizations like soccer and softball, etc. are always in need of parents who can organize, coach or manage teams. A board member has monthly meetings and fund-raising events during the season; the coaching commitment can be as much as 4 times a week. And you can share the skills that got you through your school sports too!

- Once the kids are older look into libraries, hospitals, hospices, and other institutions or foundations who welcome help from volunteers. The gift shops and reception desks are regularly manned by volunteers. Hours are usually set so you'd have the benefit of a schedule.

- Your particular church most likely has a need for volunteers, and this you can do as a family. Youth groups or teen groups often need drivers, food preparation and donations for community outreach programs.

Don't underestimate the power of parent volunteers. In 2003, the Governor of California cutback funding for high school sports, and ceased funding public middle school sports all together. A group of concerned parents in Coronado, California established the Islander Sports Foundation, a non-profit organization, which has been helping provide sports for over 1,500 student-athletes at both academic levels since then. I am proud to be part of this organization!

Participating in organizations like these can often be a stepping stone to more serious community involvement; running for school board, becoming a high school coach or president of a community club can be the natural next step after volunteering in your community for a few years. You'd be surprised to know who is volunteering next to you. We've had our town's mayor umpire baseball games and not know it until he took his mask off!

(Note: Republican VP candidate Sara Palin's political career jump-started with PTA work at her children's school!)

Finally, the most rewarding result of all this time and effort you've put into volunteering is the lesson you've impressed upon your children. As my teen-age daughter remarked when she wanted my immediate attention, but couldn't get it because I was busy resolving an issue with one of my volunteer board positions, she said, "I'll wait until you’re done saving the world".