12 in 2012- In it to give it?

What is “12 in 2012″ you ask?

It’s simple.

Donate one hour per month of your time to volunteer for a local organization in your area. 1 hour per month; 12 hours of service in 2012. Simple, easy, life changing. We can all start a ripple that becomes a wave. Join me for the challenge and make 2012 the year to volunteer! You can choose one place and volunteer 12 times or pick several and spread yourself around.

If you made a resolution to lose weight, consider walking to your volunteer site if possible. Or volunteer somewhere you can be active and get some exercise while you help out.

If you made a resolution to spend more time with family, then multiply your 12 in 2012 contribution by using  volunteering as a family event.

If you resolved to be kinder, nicer or a better person, what better way to start than by volunteering for others?

And hey, even if you resolved to quit smoking, cursing or some other negative habit- this is one time per month where you know you won’t be able to do those things AND you’ll have something to keep your mind off of it.

If you already make a resolution to become more involved in the community or helping others, here you go. You’ll be part of something bigger, working with others who are part of the same mindset.

Whatever makes this work for you, let’s all be in it to give it this year!

I started the idea for this resolution on the nonprofit news show, Unsung. I volunteer to cover nonprofit events and stories that are sometimes featured on the show, but this was the first episode that placed our team in studio, all at the same time. Joe Wos from Toonseum graciously hosted us and we had a great time putting it together and being together for the Unsung holiday episode. Many other resolutions from locals and nonprofit’s are shared on the episode. View Unsung 18 and other community driven contributions on Pittsburgh On Video or watch the episode right here.

Let me know if you decide to jump on board. Stop back and share your volunteer stories here and tell everyone where you go and how it goes. There just might be a reward at the end of 2012 for the person who shares all 12 in 2012 volunteer experiences

Simply Put- Be part of the year to volunteer and give 12 in 2012!

Top Reasons NOT to Help Non-Profit Orgs

Top 11 reasons NOT to support non-profit orgs:

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1. I’d much rather spend time complaining about how awful things are in the world instead of helping others fix it.
2. I never need/take/want help from anyone, so therefore no one deserves mine either.
3. Helping people only makes them more needy and I don’t want to be any part of enabling bad behavior.
4. I can find a job, put food on the table, give my kids the things they need. Those slackers should get off their lazy butts.
5. There’s not enough time or money to make a difference anyway, so I’d rather not give any of what I have.
6. I can’t volunteer around dirty, smelly degenerates.
7. I can’t volunteer. What if my neighbors think I do it to be a show-off or am needy too?
8. Non-profits should be able to help others without always bugging me for my money and things and time.
9. I don’t mind closing my eyes to people who are abused, go hungry, shiver in the cold, or suffer injustice as long as my family is taken care of.
10. I don’t have skills or anything anyone needs. Why would I think I’m important enough to volunteer or promote a cause?
11. Someone else will do it.

Angry with me yet?  Good.  Because I didn’t make this up. These are things people think and say all the time.

Simply Put- Are these points valid? If yes, why?  If no, why not? What information can you share to prove or overcome these opinions?