Money collector

My current calling in my ward is as a member of the Activities Committee. I know what many of you are thinking: didn't the powers-that-be in the LDS church office building do away with Activities Committees? The answer is yes... except for Singles Wards. About 550 people attend Sacrament meeting at my ward each week. Can you imagine a Relief Society or Priesthood Quorum presidency trying to put together an activity for 550 people?! Talk about overwhelming! Everyone who serves in the church does so on a volunteer basis, but even I would consider saying "no" with those kind of odds!

So, I'm on the Activities committee. And I admit, I didn't expect to enjoy this calling as much as I do. We only plan about 4 events a year, but they seem to go well. Plus, I have the added bonuses of liking the other people on the committee, and feeling useful within the committee! I may not necessarily enjoy throwing or going to events like this, but knowing I had a hand in it and yes I'm NOT the hostess... well, it's wonderful! I'm a cog! And I like it!

My main responsibility for the Ward Campout this summer was to collect money from the people who wanted to come. This basically involved sitting at a table between (and sometimes during) classes, having people sign up, taking their money, and answering questions about the activity itself. I also ended up answering questions about random things like where Sunday School classes were, or where the clerk's office was, or where the forms for new members were -- when you sit in the hub of the building and look relatively kind, these things happen. It didn't take me too long to realize this assignment sort of made me the "face" or spokesperson of the activity.

It also gave me the chance to meet a lot of people. I admit, I was nervous about that aspect, but it turns out it quite enjoy it! Seems I only dislike talking to strangers over the phone. Strangers in person I can handle! I actually even remembered a lot of person's names and faces! I'm normally not very good at that! This chore was blessing me in so many ways!

We're getting ready for the Christmas party, and Cynthia asked me to be in charge of the collection table again. She also asked me to make a poster. AAAAAAACK! Just kidding. But I was freaked out by how large a piece of poster board is, especially in light of my typically terrible handwriting. I came up with this:

You'll notice I forgot to mention which Parleys ward the party is for; I did write it in later. And if I'm really nit-picky, I wish I'd put that middle tree between "Dinner & Program" and "December 10 and 6pm", and "Meal will be catered" after the bottom tree. That's what I get for not sketching in the trees on my template design. BUT, I like the trees themselves, especially the jeweled ornaments, and I'm so happy the thing is legible! Yaaaaay!

We started collecting money last Sunday, and a few other committee members helped man the table, but I did have to coach them a bit on what they needed to do (take money, hand out tickets, write down their name and ticket number, information is on the tickets, etc). Those things are kind of fun when I know what I'm doing. I spent most of the time directing people to the Thanksgiving party person who was also collecting money that day (a different committee), but since so many people asked about that one, I'm glad I could help! I did take some money for our own party, and at least people are aware of it now, which was the real goal for our first day.

In addition, my friend Liz, who was visiting with me and ended up hanging out at the table with me, too, was asked for her phone number by at least one man, and Facebook friended by another. I'm a little bit jealous, but mostly happy for her. That's what Singles wards are for, right? And she looked gorgeous that day.

It was interesting to me that I was actually excited to get to church early to start getting the word out for the party. I never thought I'd be good at public-relations-type stuff, because I have such a hard time initially being outgoing, and worry about putting presentations together, and what if I'm in a bad mood? That's why I love my cubicle job so much -- no one cares if I'm in a bad mood :-) But this experience teaches me that I can talk with people and not look like an utter fool. I can be a problem-solver when people say they can't afford the $5 or $10. I can make up (and sometimes get right) answers to questions I'm not sure about. I can have fun talking to new people! I can be outgoing! I can be useful. I am so grateful for this assignment -- it's taught me so much about myself already :-D

We'll be collecting money for the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to it! The only downside is sometimes I want to just talk with my friends while others are waiting in line, but hopefully my friends understand when I keep conversations short (another thing I'm not yet good at).

I love my ward!