Just about everyone at Virginia Tech volunteers.
There are service organizations, sororities, fraternities, student government and philanthropic collectives galore here. It seems nearly impossible to get involved in something that does not volunteer. I reflected on my time at Tech so far, realizing that I have a disappointingly sparse volunteer resume. Sure, I’ve pitched in with the Relay for Life and got super-lazy on Halloween and “Witch Watched,” but otherwise, nothing good. My Facebook page — as every other user’s page — features a news feed of all the nonsense friends are getting into. Some friends write on one other’s walls, some comment on their photos and some RSVP to events. One such event that a bunch of my friends are getting involved in is The Big Event. The Big Event is a nice one-day project for the Virginia Tech family to dive into, but if you’re looking for something a little more, another service organization that I have discovered is the Virginia Tech chapter of the U.S. Junior Chamber. The Jaycees, as they are more commonly referred, is a leadership and civic organization for all individuals ages 18 to 40, focusing on the development of business, management, leadership skills and community service. Since its inception in 1920, the Jaycees have raised millions of dollars for charity organizations including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, volunteered their time for building parks and established AirMail services. Notable former members include U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, as well as business tycoons Bill Gates and Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan. My good friend, David Arthur, is the first president of the U.S. Junior Chamber chapter at Virginia Tech. The new chapter is roughly 20 members strong, and they are encouraging everyone who is interested to come out. Contact David at david8vt.edu.
Volunteerism and philanthropy are the best ways to demonstrate your worth. I never really believed in karma, but a lot of my friends swear by it.