The Tourist
Moderator
I have recently become fully retired. I work when the mood hits me. And switching to this status, it dawned on me that I hadn't volunteered in a while--quite a while.
I called over to the vets' hospital in Madison, Wisconsin and spoke to Scott, the director of Volunteer Services. Great guy, truly dedicated. If you live in the Madison area, I encourage you to call Scott and set up an appointment.
And that's the thrust of this thread--the appointment.
Due to new security parameters (and I read that as "Homeland Security" parameters) I couldn't just pick up where I left off.
I held a top position there. I shagged files, pushed wheelchairs and worked in the kitchen. You know, top flight "James Bond" stuff.
I was asked to bring in my old credentials, which were confiscated in a heartbeat. They called me 'sir,' however I noticed Scott showed up from two floors away as there was an unknown biker in the building.
I was fingerprinted. The bureaucrat said he never saw anyone get printed with a zero re-do. I laughed and told him to contact Madison PD. I'm an "expert" there, as well.
Then I got interviewed, new pictures were required and a full blown investigation will be required over the next two weeks. I cannot volunteer until that's over, hence the confiscation of my former valid credentials.
Now, I get it. Any idiot can walk into the hospital, which is in fact a federal building. The police office is located where the old volunteer office was located, right by a major front door. The guys are armed and a real-deal squad car sits right outside.
I'm a big boy, any embarrasment is worth the prize.
However, what if you were a concerned little old lady who never had a brush with the law? What if you and your Kiwanis Club just wanted a nice summer project? What if your spiritual side convicted you to help our returning Iraqi War veterans?
Would this procedure chill any feelings you had to volunteer?
I cannot even park in the lot until I receive my sticker, which I will get only when my credentials have been verfied.
When so much is needed it seems that altruism is being trampled by rampant security paranoia. How do you feel?
(I'd like to see some of you there. I still remember where almost everything is, and I can walk you through orientation. It would be nice to have an extra set of hands in sharpening a few dozen knives in the kitchen. Please volunteer.)
I called over to the vets' hospital in Madison, Wisconsin and spoke to Scott, the director of Volunteer Services. Great guy, truly dedicated. If you live in the Madison area, I encourage you to call Scott and set up an appointment.
And that's the thrust of this thread--the appointment.
Due to new security parameters (and I read that as "Homeland Security" parameters) I couldn't just pick up where I left off.
I held a top position there. I shagged files, pushed wheelchairs and worked in the kitchen. You know, top flight "James Bond" stuff.
I was asked to bring in my old credentials, which were confiscated in a heartbeat. They called me 'sir,' however I noticed Scott showed up from two floors away as there was an unknown biker in the building.
I was fingerprinted. The bureaucrat said he never saw anyone get printed with a zero re-do. I laughed and told him to contact Madison PD. I'm an "expert" there, as well.
Then I got interviewed, new pictures were required and a full blown investigation will be required over the next two weeks. I cannot volunteer until that's over, hence the confiscation of my former valid credentials.
Now, I get it. Any idiot can walk into the hospital, which is in fact a federal building. The police office is located where the old volunteer office was located, right by a major front door. The guys are armed and a real-deal squad car sits right outside.
I'm a big boy, any embarrasment is worth the prize.
However, what if you were a concerned little old lady who never had a brush with the law? What if you and your Kiwanis Club just wanted a nice summer project? What if your spiritual side convicted you to help our returning Iraqi War veterans?
Would this procedure chill any feelings you had to volunteer?
I cannot even park in the lot until I receive my sticker, which I will get only when my credentials have been verfied.
When so much is needed it seems that altruism is being trampled by rampant security paranoia. How do you feel?
(I'd like to see some of you there. I still remember where almost everything is, and I can walk you through orientation. It would be nice to have an extra set of hands in sharpening a few dozen knives in the kitchen. Please volunteer.)