Volunteerism

I heard the term, "volunteerism" for the first time in my early 20s. I can remember the first time I heard the word very clearly. I was sitting in a summer school class and my Educational Foundations teacher kept saying the word over and over again but I had no idea what in the world he was talking about.  I finally raised my hand and asked, "Excuse me, what is, 'Wolunteerism?'"  You see, he was from another country and he pronounced his "v's" as "w's." And so I learned that in some languages v's and w's are interchangeable, and more importantly that it was important for society and humanity that we practice the spirit of volunteering.

While the term was new to me, the act was something modeled for me all my life. I remember the first time my parents showed me the importance of "volunteerism."  I had just finished playing mini sox Bobby Sox and my mom and dad who were lovers of the sport had just finished coaching and managing my team.  Since the season was over and they wanted me to stay active (I was nine at the time) they decided to jump on the band wagon of AYSO soccer.  After they signed me up they waited and waited but no one ever called to say they were my coach.  When they finally called the league commissioner they learned that there were not enough coaches and I would not be able to play.

So what did my parents do?  They did what any other good citizen would do and they signed up to coach my team. At that time soccer was new to Hawaii and they knew nothing about the sport.  While my parents were both athletic and lovers of all sports they had never played or watched a soccer game.  I can still remember the conversations they had and clearly remember going to Honolulu Book Store to buy books on coaching soccer.  Mom and Dad read, highlighted, and came up with practice drills, game strategy and in our first year, the "Gazelles" came in first place for the Girls 9-10 age group.

From then on my mom and dad coached every soccer and bobby sox team that my brother and I ever played on.  Whether it was AYSO or HYSA mom and dad were there coaching and leading Mililani youth.  We won many titles, cups, and even took trips to the Mainland.  They did this together as a team on their own time while working full time jobs and raising four kids.  Their energy was boundless, they gave and shaped many lives.

Today I am a mother of two children who are active in youth sports.  While other parents choose not to get involved due to the time constraints and the DRAMA I feel compelled to always step in and help.  My friends and husband think I am CRAZY but it's in my blood and feel the need to continue the legacy that mom and dad have started. Sports have given me so much.  I have made countless friends through sports and had opportunities to see the world and earn a good education.  Crazy? No, I am indebted to the volunteers who shaped me into the person that I am today and I am lucky to be able to have the same impact on a whole new generation of athletes.

Volunteerism?  I am in!!!!

Now remind me of this when I begin coaching Dannika's softball team this summer!!!