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So, my mind is always working about how to further the goals of the non-profit I started with. I’m sitting in priesthood meetings now thinking about all these service minded people that could help with an upcoming project — getting some local roadside signal boxes painted. The non-profit I started funded three of them. I need people to give 1-2 hours to prime these boxes that will be adorned with art from local artists, and then, afterwards, put an anti-graffiti coating placed on it. About a 1-2 hour commitment on a Saturday. Of course, I’m painfully aware of how little I plan to contribute to our local Ward. Also, anyone who helps might do it to obligate me to “progress in the gospel”. Just curious what you think. Should I just leave that alone…? Service in the church often seems like a chore to people, so I don’t want to add to that, but on the other hand, And I don’t want to be egocentric either — there not caring about the organization of Mormonism, while thinking only of myself…just wondered what you all thought.
I think if your area had the “Just Serve” program (and I don’t know they don’t) this would be seen as a worthy project. I think it would be fine to approach the local leader (bishop or EQ pres.) and present him with this community service project. Ask that it be announced in priesthood and that any interested parties could contact Brother SD. No pressure. You might get a volunteer or you might not. They might even ask you to stand up and explain the project and that would help get your face out there in the ward as someone who is “involved”. Couldn’t hurt. Yes, asking a leader if it’s OK first would be a good thing. Rather than just up and asking to announce it. Have to respect that it’s their meeting and their organization. I was thinking it would probably be better to open it up to the community in which I live though, you might get a volunteer who has time to engage with other projects after a good experience. I don’t see myself getting any long term volunteers from a priesthood announcement. Further, someone might volunteer with the expectation I start giving 30 hours a week in return to the LDS church 
Lots of teens need service hours for various reasons. I find people like to help. Let them know it’s available and see what happens. I agree with what’s been posted. Our ward does service work with a local food pantry. Most of the work has been done by the youth.
They can always say no. But, you would make a positive contribution.
If they say no, I wouldn’t take it personal.
I think it might be a good thing for me and my son to do together. I like the youth idea, but I got into hot water years ago by trying to involve youth in something that was not perceived as my jurisdiction (even though sanctioned as a stake wide program as our SP). And it was traumatic. Plus I don’t know the youth leaders. I am favoring leaving it alone. Involving my family and the local community could build long term support for the non-profit that a flash in the pan at church wouldn’t. People are already stretched with church programs so adding something else would not be joyous for many — another thing to feel guilty about not doing. Further, as I said earlier, people often serve “less actives” expecting them to reciprocate with full activity, and I don’t want that pressure….just preliminary thoughts….
the other alternative is to simply approach specific people at church who I feel might be a good fit with the project. That is consistent with my current philsophy of volunteership — alignment with natural desires and passions. So that people serve “without compulsory means”…
Thanks for the ideas though…I don’t have any commitment to my own ideas at any point in time so who knows what will happen. I pick up the painting permit today….
SD
SD, to me the distinction between acceptable an uncool would come down to one factor. Non-profit doesn’t mean unpaid. For example, employees of the BSA, DI, and the Church are paid. These are noble causes, but the way the world operates, people need to be paid for their professional services. Often non-profits have paid employees working side-by-side with volunteers. It’s a necessary dichotomy that usually hinges on a threshold of commitment, time, and skills. It is absolutely appropriate for employees of a non-profit to be paid, but it does make things a little different. We don’t have much of a problem with the CEO of a fast food chain being paid millions, but if the CEO of the BSA makes more than we do, we easily find offense for some reason.
What I’m getting at is that if your non-profit pays you a salary, then I would recommend not bringing it up in your ward, no matter how much good your non-profit does. That could seem too self-serving, even if you don’t intend it that way at all. Think “ponderize”. It was all fine and good until somebody tried to sell t-shirts, which was then perceived as trying to make a buck off of it, even if their intent was truly to evangelize the concept. (Evangelize is a word, by the way, unlike ponderize). If it is the case that you are paid a salary, I’d suggest approaching leaders of other wards and stakes, not as a member, but as the Founder and President of your non-profit, to solicit aid under the justserve initiative.
On the other hand, if no money is involved in your non-profit, and you are donating all of your time, then there can be nothing wrong or uncool with trying to get other members of the ward to join you. In that case, if someone later expects you to donate time to the Church, you always have the “I already donate so much of my time to a cause that the ward is supporting, that I sort of feel like that’s my area of service” excuse.
That is a great perspective. No one is paid in the non-profit I started. I can say that with FULL integrity, unlike other organizations that you mention. But what is valuable in your comment is that people in the ward may assume, as you did, that this is another for-profit venture masquerading as a non-profit venture. Another reason not to bring it up formally in a meeting.
I am favoring asking people privately in the halls, or not at all at church, drawing on the larger exterior community. Perhaps my could help…as it’s just putting a base coat on a box box.
Great perspectives here. Thanks!
My initial feeling is it would be a bit of a conflict of interest. Using the church to help your organization. Would the organization get the church’s help if you were not there? Probably not…so the risk you would face is members of the ward feeling like you are trying to get something out of it, instead of it being true church service. Perhaps I don’t know enough of the situation. That is just what comes to mind. I would want to avoid being under that scrutiny of others’ judgement and to play it safe, not do it.
I certainly know many others in the church who have done things and even profited from it, and used the church for scout service hours our youth service hours. I know it is done. But they also had to deal with people scoffing behind their backs.
If you want to avoid the scoffs, play it safe and don’t risk it.
You also might have to deal with a member using the service opportunity as a missionary opportunity. It could backfire on both sides. I say approach individuals you trust to serve just for service’s sake.
good thought ray — thanks! If it is something that a scout-aged boy could do, they are always looking for service hours that are not too hard. If it is a bigger effort, maybe it could be suggested as an Eagle project. Old-Timer wrote:You also might have to deal with a member using the service opportunity as a missionary opportunity. It could backfire on both sides.
I say approach individuals you trust to serve just for service’s sake.
Our area is just instituting the Just Serve program. I like how the very first thing our SP says about it is that it is
nota missionary effort, even though missionaries participate. He stresses that it is about making our communities better. He has instructed members that while we can answer questions about the church if asked while serving, we should not otherwise indicate that we are members and should not initiate such conversations. We should, he says, stress to others that we are serving because we want to help others. Good suggestions all…thanks!
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