Los Angeles FLOCers

FLOC volunteers have much to celebrate at the end of 2011 with over 22,000 service hours given to the local community.  That number was achieved through 182 volunteer opportunities, partnering with over 60 nonprofits, expanding into SD and LA counties, engaging new members and creating an innovative corporate volunteer matching program.  According to theIndependent Sector  an hour of volunteer work in California is worth $23.42 based on the cost of living in the state.  If that is true, than FLOC volunteers contributed $515,240.00 to help create a better community for southern California!  Factor that number into FLOC’s $45,000 annual budget this year and one could say that for every dollar donated to FLOC 11.5 dollars were returned to the community.  Now that’s an enormous return on investment!

Thank you to all FLOC volunteers for your time and energy serving in 2011!  Next year’s goal is to achieve 25,000 in Orange County and 14,000 in LA and SD counties, totaling 53,000 hours for 2012.  Let’s do it!!

posted by Jaclyn Jimemenz

Invasive plants, dirt and the hot sun- Oh my! Members of FLOC LA braved the elements for a good cause on Saturday, August 27th. It was a gorgeous morning in Playa Vista as we gathered at the Ballona Wetlands to learn more about the environment and help restore this coastal ecosystem. A member of the friends of the Ballona Wetlands was there to greet us and give us a little background on the history and importance that we were about to retore.  We were then provided with some gardening gloves, a few wheel barrows and pieces of burlap to help with our project for the day. The goal for the day was to uproot invasive plants, including ice plants, which are harmful to this habitat. There was no need for the gym or tanning after this volunteering event. We got our work pulling nonnative plants out of the ground for hours and then carrying the huge bundles to be disposed. It was a great opportunity to learn a little bit about the nature in our backyard and do our party to help out. We were also able to meet other friends from the neighborhood who visit the wetlands on a regular basis. It was a great success: habitat restoration all while having a great time!

One of the realities of adult life is that you have to pay to play… It’s a painful reality that motivates us each morning to dawn our nice clothes, leave our homes and venture into the oh-so-familiar realm known as “the work place.” Day-after-day we play the game, seeking out the mighty dollar in order that our needs, dreams and passions may be fulfilled. For so many of us it is the “rat race.” That is an endless, self-defeating, pointless pursuit that ultimately achieves nothing either individually or collectively. Sound familiar! Maybe you can relate?

The “rat race” IS a part of so many of our lives and it was in the midst of the day-to-day struggle that FLOC was designed and created. The idea was to provide “a space” that would push us off the treadmill and into the realm of contribution, service and friendship; a realm that would be different, exciting, challenging and yet completely rewarding. From that space a new passion could be born, discoveries made and lives enriched…

Maybe it sounds a bit too altruistic and idealistic, but that was the idea and for many of us the idea has become a reality. In two years FLOC has changed lives, inspired passion, created new friendships, built bridges and made a difference for over 35 nonprofit partners as well as our 100+ FLOC members. What’s the value of that?? Hard to say…but in hard numbers we estimate that for just the local OC community it has resulted in 5000+ service hours and over $40,000 direct and indirect dollars donated to charity. Now that’s pretty darn cool!

~ Is this something that YOU want to be a part of? For me the answer is simple! I want to be engaged, I want to know my neighbors, I want to know the charities in my community that make a difference, I want to know like minded people that give back, I want to do business with people I have a relationship with, I want to be a participant, I want to do something outside of myself and I want to feel good that I am making a contribution.

The value is enormous if what you desire is to step outside of the “rat race” and live an unlimited life beyond simple self-interest. Yes there is a fee to being a FLOC member ($160 annually or $45 quarterly) but the cost is so minimal compared to the opportunity that one is invited to experience.

So, simply put (if you haven’t already) this is your chance to get off the treadmill and out of the race!!! For me it was a no brainer… and it has changed my life. I know it could be the same for you!

For more information on FLOC Membership and to become a member click here.

For frequently asked questions concerning where FLOC’s membership dollars are spent click here.

Looking for a pick-up line?  Here’s one that’s really telling: “So, do you volunteer much in the community?”  Now wait for the reaction…  If all you see is shock and complete confusion, then you’ve got your answer.  However, if a huge smile crawls across their face, there’s a good chance you’re in beautiful company.  Proceed!

This past week at FLOC’s awareness event with America On Track, FLOCers Jackie Leeman, Kahlee Shaff and Dewey Bushaw shared their love and passion for volunteering (video).  “It gives me a good perspective about life,” shared Kahlee as she reflected on her experience volunteering at the Cystic Fibrosis gala.  Dewey shared, “Some people say that the hardest part about volunteering is being around people that have so little and need so much help, but actually the hardest part is simply signing up and going.  However, once you get there you have a lot of fun, you meet a ton of great people and you have a good impact!”  Jackie (as FLOC’s Volunteer Coordinator) finished with a final pitch to check out the website, find events on facebook or simply e-mail her at jackie.leeman@futureleadersoc.org

If you haven’t noticed, FLOC and FLOCers are about volunteering.  We are engaged in the community, working with over 40 nonprofit charities to make a difference, raise money and support their amazing causes.  Our mission/vision and foundation are built on the general concept that leaders serve and contribute to making their community a better place.  The result has been over 3,500 hours of volunteer service and $20,000+ raised for local non-profits.  Thank you FLOCers!!

If you haven’t volunteered with FLOC yet, now is the time!  I promise you, you’ll receive more than you give.  Become a leader in your community and volunteer today! ~ For a list of FLOC’s upcoming volunteer opportunities, please click here! Or contact FLOC’s Volunteer Coordinator at Jackie.leeman@futureleadersoc.org

Most of you I am assuming have met him, laughed with him, argued with him, volunteered with him, slapped him, kissed him, jumped on him, been massaged by him, challenged by him, instructed by him, checked-in by him, encouraged by him, shed a tear by him or simply decided not to engage with him only to renounce it all to engage even further…  If you know him you love him, because his heart is real, his compassion true and his friendship authentic.  Some of you call him Dewey or Dewster, Dewdog or Dew, Buuuushaw or Bushy, but I like to refer to him by his full God given beautiful name, that is Dewey Bushaw the 3^rd!  If you know Dewey, and I mean really know Dewey, then you know that you are one of the luckiest people alive.  His heart is bigger than yours, his stamina and endurance for selfless love has and will continue to pass you buy, but that is what makes him wonderful, lovable, acceptable and beyond a doubt enduring.  He is friend, brother, uncle, son and a down right hilarity of a FLOCer dedicated to all things community, service and leadership.  He is the original and only Director of Technology, the flywheel upon which all seek knowledge in the FLOC cyber world.  Ladies and gentlemen he is the master of your server, he is DEWEY!

This week we celebrate and recognize the only one amongst us that has the talent and down right grit to produce a webpage that can cross city, county and state lines.  A webpage that is designed for unlimited growth, possibility and endless expansion into the unlimited places and countries that seek community involvement.  A webpage that is unique yet universal, modern yet timeless, brave yet conservative and by all means and purposes sexy!  This week we celebrate our new webpage, but more importantly we celebrate the man, behind the man, behind the webpage…Dewey Bushaw.  Last year’s official and original “FLOCer of the Year.”  The one who upon which the award was given because in all reality there really was no contest.  He simply stole the show and he continues to do so, now at this time and maybe even later.  That’s why I acknowledge him, celebrate him and give him a nod to the code that is his.

We love you Dewey!  Thank you for your 100+ volunteer hours putting our new FLOC webpage together, flocers.org!!!  ~  For more info about Dewey, please check out his FLOC profile in our Member Directory and hire him for a job worthy of his talent!