Further to my colleague Josie's blog i thought i would add a few more words from our amazing group volunteers.
Paul Barrett from the Airedale & Bradford Local Group says "I never volunteered for anything. My work/life balance was just fine. That was before Ruth announced the imminent closure of our Local Group at one of our indoor meetings: there were not enough people to run the group. I enjoyed the talks and walks that the group organised so, along with a few others, volunteered to help out.
I never realised how much I had been missing out on. As a committee member, I attend every indoor meeting. I used to pick and choose, not attending the meetings that sounded less interesting. I've discovered that many of the 'less interesting' meetings are, in fact, the MOST interesting. Volunteering was a life changing decision. A closer involvement with the organisation has made me much more aware of what the RSPB is all about, it's more than just birds. I now spend quite a bit of my 'spare time' working for the RSPB, befriending like-minded people and enjoying a much more active life. Volunteering has been a life-enhancing experience."
and our award winning volunteers Mary & Dave Braddock from the North West Surrey Local Group said after the RSPB's AGM " It was a very humbling experience to know that we had been nominated for this most prestigious award because of doing something that we enjoy. We don’t think it has sunk in yet. Volunteering for the RSPB in our house comes naturally. We have a passion for wildlife and the environment …and so does the RSPB! We believe in the RSPB strategies and find the people who work in the organisation so enthusiastic that it is infectious. It is an organisation we feel we belong in."
Pauline Wilson, Secretary of the Orkney Local Group wrote to say: “I am delighted that we had a really successful two days of bag-packing at Tesco Kirkwall. Members of our group and most of the staff of RSPB Orkney did a brilliant job and we managed to raise a total of £1305.28 which was beyond our expectations but very welcome. The people of Orkney are so generous - we even had £5 and £10 notes in our buckets. I have enjoyed organising these events and hope I am able to do it again in 2013.”
Pictured Maggie Currie
If you would like to find where your nearest groups is, click here!
No matter what you think you are, you are always and in all ways so much more!