Volunteerism

Dress for Success Volunteer Appreciation

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Tuesday night Dress for Success held their volunteer appreciation event.  This is an organization I have volunteered at for 14 years.  The difference this group makes to women’s lives in outstanding (and sometimes truly unbelievable).  I have heard and witnessed countless lives changed by what we do as a united group.  Unfortunately I missed the event because of a lovely migraine but Dress for Success is one of my top priorities for where I spend my energy and time.  Consider volunteering or making a donation today!

 https://www.facebook.com/DFSOregon

http://www.dressforsuccessoregon.org/1/post/2012/06/volunteer-appreciation.html

Happy Cup

Posted on by Seniye Groff
Today was the day…I became Roaster for the Day at Happy Cup Roasting.  About a month ago, I found out I had won Happy Cup’s Roaster of the Day contest.  Apparently there were 300 entries but luck was on my side.  I won coffee for a year, a day with a roaster and a once in a lifetime experience!  I was able to bring three friends with me and so I chose friends that I knew were interested in coffee and that would “blend” well together.

We learned a lot about coffee in general, the roasting process and then blended beans for a one of a kind coffee roast.  The roasting part only took about 13 minutes but apparently can very quickly go awry.  Once we roasted and cooled the beans, we bagged them and then ground some of the coffee to try our creation.  I must say it was very smooth…no milk or sugar needed!!  If you can read the bag, you will see the customized name of my roast:  “Turkish Tornado” and the “Packed by Seniye” and the date on each bag!

Love Learning, Love Change

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I love to learn new things.  I love change.  That point of discomfort is when I know I am forcing myself out of “comfort zone”.  I know that most people try to stay as far away as possible from that discomfort zone, but I guarantee that if you are willing to color outside the lines once in a while, you will be amazed at how many new things you can learn. 

Here are some ways that I try to erase the ordinary, both at work and in my personal life:

  • I try at least two new recipes a week.
  • I try to have lunch or coffee with someone I haven’t met at least once a month.
  • I have a list of things I want to learn how to make.  I have mastered cheese, yogurt and bread and my next thing is roasting my own coffee beans.  I will be able to check that item of my list next Saturday, by the way!
  • I read voraciously and read a varied reading list.
  • I volunteer a lot and with a variety of organizations with various missions.
  • I have eclectic interests which means I have an eclectic group of friends and acquaintances which means I am exposed to a wide variety of views, interests and knowledge.
  • I love to travel.  Nothing will get you out of your comfort zone faster than going somewhere that doesn’t speak English!
  • I attend all sorts of webinars on a variety of topics…they cost nothing but my time and I usually garner at least one new nugget of information, thought or idea.

Volunteering

Posted on by Seniye Groff

After a grueling day that started at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, I volunteered at Dress for Success in the evening.  My 10-year-old daughter asked if she could volunteer with me.  Carli has not accompanied me during my volunteer duties since she was a baby.  I would spread out a blanket in the corner and she would sleep or play–but that was MANY years ago.  Carli has always asked a lot of questions about what I do with the women while I volunteer.  I believe it is good to instill a volunteering mindset while she is young.  So, actually, I was thrilled that she wanted to join me!

I emailed the volunteer manager and she said it would be fine to bring my daughter.  We arrived at 6 p.m. and there were eight other volunteers.  We completed a myriad of tasks for an upcoming fundraising event.  Meanwhile between tasks, my daughter entertained and engaged the other volunteers.  Carli kept a smile on her face no matter what we asked her to do.  Ten year olds are challenging but Carli really made me proud that evening.  I certainly will bring her to other volunteering events, now that I know she really can be helpful and happy at the same time.

Contests

Posted on by Seniye Groff

If you are like me, you are pretty skeptical of contests (yet, I seem to enter them anyways).  The joy of entering a contest is the “dream factor” that results from hitting the “submit” button.  Even the smallest prize can bring happiness because the pervasive thought of “nothing ventured, nothing gained”, takes hold.

Back in February, I had some down time and  submitted an entry for a “Roaster for the Day” prize.  I love to learn how to make stuff and roasting coffee beans has been on my list of things to learn, now that I have mastered bread, yogurt, ice cream and cheese making.  But, as usual, because I move at a rapid pace, I hit enter and forgot about it.  That is until Monday afternoon when I received a call that said I had won.

Wow, I won?!  The last thing I won was in 1995 when my name was called at a manager meeting.  I won a leather jacket for the now-defunct company, Side1.  I returned home with my prize and one of my employees salivated over the jacket.  I ended up giving it to her–she wanted it so much.

But coffee roasting with a mission is right up my alley.  There were 300+ entries for this prize so I feel pretty special and grateful.  Especially since I get to bring three friends along.  I also get to pick and name my roast, because Happy Cup will make bags with my custom name.  My husband suggested Turkish Phenomena Roast or Turkish Tornado Morning Hit Roast…ah, he knows me too well.  I also expect a year of caffeinated nirvana given the prize comes with 52 bags of coffee beans.

If you are not familiar with Happy Cup Roasting, check them out.  They are focused on giving people with potential, opportunities.  I have been a 12 year volunteer at Dress for Success and love helping women gain self-sufficiency, so their mission really “speaks” to me.  So in the end, happiness and doing good can all be found in a cup of coffee!

I will keep you posted on my roasting adventure!

Diversity Training

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Last week I delivered diversity training to Dress for Success.  I have been a volunteer at DFS for 12 years (and that is longer than I have stayed at any paying job).  My interest in diversity training began when I was working on my thesis for my masters.  I realized I had a wealth of experiences that shaped my view of the world.  For example,  when I lived in St. Croix I quickly learned what it was like to be a minority.  At the time, out of 60,000 island residents, only 5,000 were Caucasian.  It was a great lesson for me.  This experience coupled with moving about every 11 months including Central America, the Middle East and throughout the U.S. gives me a broad frame of reference, as well as, lots of stories and experiences to share throughout my training session.

And the session really went great.  The group of new volunteers were engaged, interactive and really interested in the content, activities and stories.  They shared their experiences and overall realized how their lens “cloud” their views of how they perceive others.  The volunteers walked away with a new awareness and a new perspective.  It will go a long way to aid in their interactions with each other, as well as, the clients that DFS serves.

Orphan Impact

Posted on by Seniye Groff

 I am working with Orphan Imact on an email exercise for computer students in Hanoi. Basically it involves sending emails back and forth with a student so that they get practice with technology. Super cool to help a child in an area of the world that is important to me and super easy to make an impact. Three more volunteers needed.  Contact Tad at:  tad@orphanimpact.org

While you are at it, check out the organization at:  http://www.orphanimpact.org/