Local Politics - Get Involved!

Okay, I'll admit, this is an Orange Road that's not for everyone, but if you are interested in politics, get involved on a local level. There is always something going on with the government whether it's the Barking Dog ordinance that needs voting on or something on a larger scale.

If this subject interests you, get involved. The best part about meeting new people this way is if you connect with chemistry, you will have a built in common ground - two actually, volunteering and your party of choice!

Sea Scouts BSA

Sea Scouting had its beginning at a camp fire in England when Lord Baden-Powell voiced the hope that older Scouts would be interested in learning about boat management and seamanship. He stressed the need for young men to prepare themselves for service on their country's ships.

Sea Scouting in America was founded in 1912. That year, Arthur A. Carey of Waltham, Massachusetts, had Sea Scouts using the schooner Pioneer and was appointed Chairman of the National Council Committee on Sea Scouting. That summer, Charles T. Longstreth organized a Sea Scout patrol on his yacht in Philadelphia. Both of these men prepared pamphlets on Sea Scouting and Carey's Cruising for Sea Scouts was the first literature related to Sea Scouting.

Now a branch of the Boy Scouts of America, the Sea Scouts allow girls to sail though some organizations are not co-ed. This is a wonderful way for a young person to work toward making a nautical dream come true, but there is something in it for the adults, too. There are opportunities to volunteer with the kids while they learn all the ins and outs of what it takes to man a sail boat. As part of the program, the kids have to plan a weekend outing determining what they will need for rations, safety gear, etc. They learn about working together and handing situations as they arise without the option of simply quitting and going home.

There are Sea bases in California, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Virgina, and Wisconsin. To learn more, visit the Sea Scouts web site.

*Photo from the Sea Scouts home page.

Working at a Shelter - Orange Road #4

One of my all time favorite words with regard to IWIL is Volunteer. I will bring this up over and over because it is the number one way to learn what it means to really do what you think you want to do.

For opening a door to working with animals in your life, right now, I would say find a local shelter and go sign up to volunteer. The work may not be pretty or pleasant and it's certain to smell bad, but I bet you will connect with a creature that will steal your heart! You know you can't save them all, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and even a random goat or pot bellied pig, but being there to show love and affection to even one precious creature will make a difference in this world. You will get to know some of the animals and may even feel compelled to help find them homes. You may also learn a little bit about being a veterinary technician or even some training techniques.

When you volunteer, you not only give of your time, you give of yourself. You will always win when you are learning while giving. Visit http://www.spca.org/ to find a shelter near you. If not there, visit the website for the county you live in and see where your local shelter is. Finally, because he is dear to my heart, Patrick McDonnel artist and creator of Mutts gives back to shelters across the country. Visit the Mutts website and you will find a wealth of information and ways to support organizations that take care of our four legged friends. Click here.