Forming a November Coalition Family Group

Many people tell us they have trouble dividing time between family life and volunteering for the November Coalition. We have an answer: Become a volunteer along with some or all of your family members! Volunteering as a family group can be done by an extended family, by a husband and wife, a parent and a child, or as a team of siblings.

What do you gain by volunteering together as a family? First of all, you help assure progress toward that elusive, but much-pursued goal of "quality time" with each other while working for justice. Your evening conversations will be fresh and lively, a time of sharing ideas and planning for upcoming events.

It gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to teach children the skills that active citizens should develop. You will teach a valuable lesson: be involved in your government.

Perhaps you will want to call a family meeting and take time to explain your idea of a November Coalition Family group and let others give their input. Be sure to have a current list of Coalition projects so that everyone can review them. Discuss together what projects you think would interest your family or which you have time, resources and ability to do.

Once you have committed to a volunteer project, concentrate on it and take it seriously. Parents can demonstrate to children that volunteer work is important and meaningful. Talk about the activity during the week and plan ahead. Your children will learn to value and appreciate follow through and commitment. You, too, may be challenged by what you experience as a volunteer. Share those feelings with your children.

If you have several children, the time may come when you want to focus on an individual son or daughter. Sharing a volunteer project as a twosome may be the key to helping each child feel special.

If you have a loved one imprisoned, and are raising children, the work accomplished and time spent volunteering can prove all the more valuable. Children really do become interested in more than just recreation and play. They enjoy and prosper being a part of their world and feel empowered by being an activist, too. It also gives them a chance to actually do something positive for the imprisoned loved one, helping to fulfill special needs.

If you are going to have a meeting with many of your extended family members, be sure to review Your First Meeting. While a family meeting will be informal, these instructions will help you get the most out of them.