Local volunteers were encouraged to change the world one thought at a time, one gesture at a time and one action at a time during a volunteer appreciation tea in Innisfail.
About 60 people attended the event at the Library Learning Centre on April 17 when certified life coach Laurel Vespi spoke to the audience about the difference one person can make in her speech titled “The Power of One.”
People often feel overwhelmed at the thought of volunteering, she said. They often tell themselves they don't have the proper experience, they don't have enough time to offer or feel that their cause is just too great. But she stressed that people have to believe in change.
“You have to believe that change is possible, because if you don't believe that, you can't make the kind of difference that you want to make no matter what it is,” Vespi said.
She said she wanted people to know that making a difference always begins with just one thought. She said that requires radical thinking. People must believe that they can have an impact on any situation, no matter how big it is.
Change can be influenced one gesture at a time, Vespi continued. The expert challenged the audience to establish positive encounters with others. That may mean shovelling the sidewalk for a neighbour or just holding on to positive thoughts of others, but the power of one little gesture should not be underestimated, she said.
“Imagine if we all felt a little more connected. What a difference that would make,” she said.
Finally, change comes one action at a time, Vespi said. She encouraged people to take a stand for something and to start a “word-of-mouth epidemic.” Word-of-mouth campaigns can create a ripple effect that helps your cause, she said.
Vespi asked the audience to reflect about what the world needs more of. Love, peace, understanding, tolerance, commitment, friendship and kindness were among some of the responses from locals.
She then challenged the audience to write down on a piece of paper three simple things they can do to bring more of what they want into the world. It sometimes feels daunting, she said, because many needs, like education, poverty and hunger, exist on a global scale. But she encouraged people not to be limited by that because the world's problems also exist in the community and at home, she said. But people have the power to make big change by taking simple steps, she said.
“Whatever you wrote down, try it tomorrow. Pick one of your three things and do it, bring more of that,” she said.
The volunteer appreciation tea was attended by members of town council, including Derek Baird, Mark Kemball, Brian Spiller, Heather Taylor and Tracey Walker. Walker thanked volunteers on behalf of the town.
“In our community we see our volunteers everywhere – at committee meetings, on the soccer field, in the pool, at the school and in the hospital, just to name a few. Our volunteers contribute to every age group within our community. On behalf of the mayor, and my fellow town councillors, we would like to thank each and every one of you for your contributions,” she said.
National Volunteer Week 2013 is celebrated April 21 through April 27.
