“You only learn from an experience on which you reflect and articulate what you’ve learned. Otherwise, it’s just an experience.”

It didn’t take long for me to realize that communication is SO important to the functioning of an organization! I realized that the more ways you can get the word out about an event, the better the response will be. Putting an article in the Tribune or a blurb in the bulletin is not enough. Fliers, emails, phone calls, and announcements, along with those other things, are the best way to get everyone you intend to get. Otherwise you’ll get the standard “I didn’t hear about that” as you pull your hair out.

I’ve learned that all volunteers should be appreciated for what they do. Many of them volunteer to do things that they enjoy, things that they would already be doing, or things that will help their children. No matter their reasons, they seldom realize how much what they do helps the person “in charge”. Also, some people are just waiting to be asked. It is so important to recognize the gifts of volunteers, and to never suppress those gifts. Give them the freedom to do what they’re good at, and that gives everyone else to do the same. I have been blessed with some awesome volunteers, and for that I am very thankful.

One lesson I’ve learned is one that I have learned over and over. Prayer works! Does it hand you everything you ask for when you ask for it? Absolutely not. But turning to God in prayer provides comfort and reassurance in life’s twists and turns. And, more often than not, prayers are answered, though not always in the ways that we hope or expect. I’ve also learned that He has a plan. We may not always know what it is, we may not always be able to see beyond what’s happening, but if there is any situation that shows that this is true, it’s mine.

The last lesson I’ll share (though not the last one I’ve learned), is that nothing goes according to plan, especially when working with children and youth. Fire alarms go off, kids say crazy things, and generally, things are just crazy. It is one of the most rewarding things one can do, though, and I have been and will continue to be blessed to do so.

With so many lessons learned, and undoubtedly more to come, I pray that I will continue to learn from all of my experiences, and I hope that Trinity does the same.

Alecia