April 2017
National Volunteer Week April 23-29
We Love Our Volunteers!
Volunteers fill a variety of essential roles with Communities of Transformation. Serving on a leadership team, preparing meals, training participants and volunteers, and working with participants in small groups are just a few of the ways volunteers contribute. We thank all of the volunteers who make this life-changing initiative possible!
Volunteering Leads to Richer Relationships
Lynn Tellier moved to Selma in June, 2010, but she said it wasn't easy to get to know people except those she met through her work or her church, Christ the King. Then, in 2015, a member of her church invited her to attend the first meeting of Selma's Communities of Transformation.
Selma volunteer Lynn Tellier values the relationships she has formed with her COT family
"Selma is a close-knit community, and COT enables me to meet new people. Many people attend from different churches and organizations," Lynn said.
Reading When Helping Hurts and listening to Laurel Blackwell and others has opened her eyes, Lynn said. She's learned that sometimes when we try to help others we create more problems. But if we focus on listening, not offering solutions, we provide a supportive environment. As a volunteer working with participants, her experience has translated to other areas of her life and helped her build stronger relationships.
Lynn said, "I wanted to help others, but I wound up getting a lot (from COT) myself. It's reciprocity--we all need emotional support, and at COT we learn we are not alone. I now have a clearer, richer picture of my community."
Mobile COT -- Volunteers In Action!
Last month, Mobile COT began meeting at The Vision Center, a campus of Mobile's St. John United Methodist Church. At the new site, COT has it's own space, so coordinator Katy Wrona and volunteers are working to transform it.
Earlier this year, Mobile COT had a painting party at The Vision Center. Now, artist Cathy Irby is volunteering her time and talent to add the COT logo.
Members of the Mobile COT leadership team met at The Vision Center on April 6. Pictured are back row, l-r: Debbie Hendrix, Thomas Irby, Clara Ester, Katy Wrona; front row: Jane Helmich, Kathy Fisher, John Russell. Other members of the leadership team are Ashley Austin, Don Wooley, and Zan Jones.
Participants and volunteers enjoyed an Easter egg hunt at The Vision Center.
Brewton's Participant Trainer Irene Johnson:
A Shining Star
Brewton COT celebrated their most recent class of participants on April 11. Pictured are, l-r: Raven Woods, Jennifer Woods, trainer Irene Johnson, Chandra Boyd, Hillary Boyd
Rosaland Harrison serves as the coach for the participant trainers at the various sites. She says, "The participant trainer's role is vital to the personal development of COT participants. Each week the trainer fosters a safe space for them to come together, share their challenges and be supported by the group, while at the same time they are equipping them with valuable life skills."
When asked to describe Brewton COT participant trainer Irene Johnson, coordinator Anita Watson responded enthusiastically, "She is a shining star! She has a deep knowledge of the Awaken curriculum. Irene is dedicated and gifted in working with the participants. It touches me how much she cares about them, and Communities of Transformation."
Irene, like all COT trainers, is a volunteer.
May Events
All meetings 5:30-8:00 p.m. Central time unless otherwise noted. Please check the website Events page for locations.
Brewton
May 2 Meeting
May 9 Meeting
May 16 Meeting
May 23 Meeting
Dothan
May 2 Meeting
May 9 Meeting
May 16 Meeting
May 23 Meeting
May 30 Meeting
Eufaula
May 1 Meeting
May 8 Meeting
May 15 Meeting
May 22 Meeting
May 29 No Meeting (Memorial Day)
Evergreen
May 4 Meeting
May 11 Meeting
May 18 Meeting
May 25 Meeting
Mobile (meetings begin at 5:45)
May 4 Meeting
May 11 Meeting
May 18 Meeting
May 25 Meeting
Montgomery
May 2 Meeting
May 9 Meeting
May 16 Meeting
May 23 Meeting
May 30 Meeting
Phenix City (all times Eastern)
May 2 Meeting
May 9 Meeting
May 16 Meeting
May 23 Meeting
May 30 Meeting
Selma
May 1 Meeting
May 8 Meeting
May 15 Meeting
May 23 Meeting
May 30 No Meeting (Memorial Day)
