When you think of voluntourism, do you think of traveling to far flung places and making a costly commitment? I do. Which is why I keep returning to a very simple "ah hah" moment I recently had while volunteering at home in Seattle.
Read my latest column for Wyndham Worldwide's Women on Their Way Jane Air Crew here and find out how you can give back when you're on the go.
09 September 2011
30 August 2011
media mention: travel writing 2.0 - a conversation with charyn pfeuffer
Take a quick minute to check out this interview on yours truly conducted by Travel Writing 2.0 author Tim Leffel and edited by Kristin Mock. Thank you, Tim and Kristin for being such pros and for giving me this opportunity to talk travel writing with your readers.
26 August 2011
dear writers: this is *not* volunteering
@charynpfeuffer Hello Charyn, My name is Adryana, and I want to you to ask if you would be interested to colaborate and be part of the team Woman's Essence Magazine as writer. Please write an email to womans-essence@live.com for more details.
@ButterflyLady_ Hi Adryana! Thanks for reaching out. Can you tell me what per word rate you pay writers to contribute to Women's Essence?
@charynpfeuffer It is a volunteer opportunity but credits are given in the form of providing your name.
@ButterflyLady_ Why exactly would I want to "volunteer" my writing to your site when I've been paid for my writing for 13+ years?
Oh goody! Exposure! RT @ButterflyLady_: @charynpfeuffer It is a volunteer opportunity but credits are given in the form of providing your name.
@charynpfeuffer oh well.. i made a question to you after seeing in your description that you do volunteer too .. sorry if that offended you
@ButterflyLady_ I volunteer for NGOs & humanitarian causes. Writing for free is not volunteering - it's taking advantage of writers.
@ButterflyLady_ Yeah, I find it offensive when people try to take advantage of hard working writers who make a living off their time/talent.
@ButterflyLady_ Do you get paid to recruit writers or do you "volunteer" too?
@charynpfeuffer ok thank u for your replies.
@charynpfeuffer oh well.. i apologized , thank you as well for your time, take care
@ButterflyLady_ Hi Adryana! Thanks for reaching out. Can you tell me what per word rate you pay writers to contribute to Women's Essence?
@charynpfeuffer It is a volunteer opportunity but credits are given in the form of providing your name.
@ButterflyLady_ Why exactly would I want to "volunteer" my writing to your site when I've been paid for my writing for 13+ years?
Oh goody! Exposure! RT @ButterflyLady_: @charynpfeuffer It is a volunteer opportunity but credits are given in the form of providing your name.
@charynpfeuffer oh well.. i made a question to you after seeing in your description that you do volunteer too .. sorry if that offended you
@ButterflyLady_ I volunteer for NGOs & humanitarian causes. Writing for free is not volunteering - it's taking advantage of writers.
@ButterflyLady_ Yeah, I find it offensive when people try to take advantage of hard working writers who make a living off their time/talent.
@ButterflyLady_ Do you get paid to recruit writers or do you "volunteer" too?
@charynpfeuffer ok thank u for your replies.
@charynpfeuffer oh well.. i apologized , thank you as well for your time, take care
08 August 2011
03 August 2011
my weekend wilderness adventures
For the next few days, I'll be at Sonora Resort in B.C., Canada. Sonora Resort has been on my travel wish list for quite some time, and since I could really use some unplugged idyll in the wilderness, the timing of this trip is perfect. Plus, I get to go relax, wine, spa, explore and dine with some of my fave women. Of course, I'll post the play-by-play (and lots of pretty pictures) when I get back. In the meantime, if you want to follow the adventures, find me on Twitter at @charynpfeuffer or follow the hashtag #SonoraVisit.
P.S. Full disclaimer: Yours truly is a hosted guest of the resort for the weekend.
30 July 2011
giving feels good at new belgium brewing's clips of faith tour
As most of you know, I’ve been in a less-than-stellar mood since my father passed away unexpectedly on Father’s Day. Even though everyone in my world has been so wonderful with sweet words and kind wishes, I’ve been a bit hermit-like this summer as I try to work through the sadness and grief. I’ve been perfectly okay soaking up Seattle summer from the emotional safety and comfort of our Zen bungalow and hanging out with a few select friends, but for the most part, I’ve spent a lot of time alone thinking. I keep testing the waters to see how I fare in real life social situations (as in, do I fall apart?) and the results have varied from complete meltdowns to respites of feeling okay. Not great, but good enough to think clearly and carry an intelligent conversation.
Right now, I’m not trying to force myself to do anything, other than to be present with my feelings on a day-to-day basis. I’m okay with skipping summertime BBQs and birthday parties, but I have missed volunteering. Giving back is something that always makes me feel good, so I decided to volunteer last night at New Belgium Brewing’s Clips of Faith Beer & Film Tour at Gasworks Park in Seattle. The 18-city tour benefits a different local nonprofit in each destination, and Seattle’s tour benefit Nature Consortium. A short walk from my house, I figured how bad could it be to spend a summer night outside, in eyeshot of the most amazing view of Seattle’s skyline, slinging beer, in the company of friends? It did not suck.
Shannon Edris and Ryan Witcher joined me for the hopped-up volunteer festivities and we deftly poured draft after draft of 15 of New Belgium Brewing’s finest brews for hours. Amongst the chaos of having to constantly replenish 3oz. “samplers” and 12oz. beers, there was something oddly meditative about the experience. Pouring beer was such a simple task, yet the repetition completely distracted my mind, and after five hours, I realized that not a single sad thought had creeped into my mind. It was a small victory in my process of healing, but a glimpse of hope that everything will be okay, and that eventually, I’ll be okay.
Sampling new (to me) brews like La Folie Sour Brown Ale, Le Terroir, and Somersault Ale may have had something to do with my good mood, but I believe that volunteering and the simple act of doing something is to thank, because giving feels good.
26 July 2011
before i die
Candy Chang likes to make cities more comfortable for people. She is a public installation artist, designer, urban planner, TED Fellow, and co-founder of Civic Center. Enjoy her projects here.
foster the people announces partnership with the do good bus
This Fall Take Part In Local Community Service Efforts With Foster The People And The Do Good Bus Which Will Make Stops In All Of The Band's Upcoming 22 U.S. Tour Dates
NEW YORK, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster The People have announced a partnership with the transportable community services venture: The Do Good Bus. In effort to pay it forward, Foster The People have asked the Do Good Bus to join them in participating in local community service work on their fall tour, which starts September 13th in Scottsdale, AZ and ends on October 20th in Los Angeles, Ca. In each of the 22 cities on the tour, The Do Good Bus and Foster The People will work alongside local do-gooders to give back to the community.
With the recent success of the band's debut release, Torches, Foster The People have chosen to relay that success into creating an extended sense of community by asking fans to support local causes. Each day-of-show on the tour The Do Good Bus will transport local do-gooders to a secret location to participate in community service.
"We've been looking for a way to help the communities we visit on tour by giving back locally. We're really excited the Do Good Bus can help us achieve this and also get our fans involved at the same time," says Foster The People.
To kick-off the Do Good Bus' adventure on the road they are asking for fans and supporters to help make the trip happen by supporting their cause via Startsomegood.com. Check out the site for more information on how you can support the cause and give back locally with your favorite band and their fans!
ABOUT THE DO GOOD BUS
The Do Good Bus promises altruistic adventurism to a bus full of passengers by taking them to a mystery volunteer activity to help local causes in a fun and social environment. During each ride, The Do Good Bus strives to create awareness for local causes, create community amongst passengers and encourage continued support of the causes we visit. For more information, please contact Rebecca Pontius at rebecca@dogoodbus.com or visit http://www.dogoodbus.com/.
ABOUT FOSTER THE PEOPLE
Los Angeles based indie-pop trio, Foster The People, released their chart-topping, acclaimed debut Torches this May. The album made its Billboard debut at #8 and includes the bands certified gold single "Pumped Up Kicks." Foster The People will continue to tour the world this summer and well into the fall. With sold-out shows in nearly every market and a live set that's undeniably energetic, this is a band who you won't want to miss in 2011! For more information on Foster The People visit: http://www.fosterthepeople.com/
SOURCE: Foster The People
NEW YORK, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster The People have announced a partnership with the transportable community services venture: The Do Good Bus. In effort to pay it forward, Foster The People have asked the Do Good Bus to join them in participating in local community service work on their fall tour, which starts September 13th in Scottsdale, AZ and ends on October 20th in Los Angeles, Ca. In each of the 22 cities on the tour, The Do Good Bus and Foster The People will work alongside local do-gooders to give back to the community.
With the recent success of the band's debut release, Torches, Foster The People have chosen to relay that success into creating an extended sense of community by asking fans to support local causes. Each day-of-show on the tour The Do Good Bus will transport local do-gooders to a secret location to participate in community service.
"We've been looking for a way to help the communities we visit on tour by giving back locally. We're really excited the Do Good Bus can help us achieve this and also get our fans involved at the same time," says Foster The People.
To kick-off the Do Good Bus' adventure on the road they are asking for fans and supporters to help make the trip happen by supporting their cause via Startsomegood.com. Check out the site for more information on how you can support the cause and give back locally with your favorite band and their fans!
ABOUT THE DO GOOD BUS
The Do Good Bus promises altruistic adventurism to a bus full of passengers by taking them to a mystery volunteer activity to help local causes in a fun and social environment. During each ride, The Do Good Bus strives to create awareness for local causes, create community amongst passengers and encourage continued support of the causes we visit. For more information, please contact Rebecca Pontius at rebecca@dogoodbus.com or visit http://www.dogoodbus.com/.
ABOUT FOSTER THE PEOPLE
Los Angeles based indie-pop trio, Foster The People, released their chart-topping, acclaimed debut Torches this May. The album made its Billboard debut at #8 and includes the bands certified gold single "Pumped Up Kicks." Foster The People will continue to tour the world this summer and well into the fall. With sold-out shows in nearly every market and a live set that's undeniably energetic, this is a band who you won't want to miss in 2011! For more information on Foster The People visit: http://www.fosterthepeople.com/
SOURCE: Foster The People
quote: ayn rand
"Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world - to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want." - Ayn Rand
18 July 2011
blog post: sharon tewksbury-bloom and jay holt are service driven
It was an honor to be able to share Sharon and Jay's voluntourism story in this month's Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide Jane Air blog. Read all about this couples' do good efforts here.
16 July 2011
article: new york times - budget excursions for volunteers
Check out this fantastic article in the New York Times today: Budget Excursions for Volunteers.
05 July 2011
quote: the little prince
In one of the stars
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
And so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night
and there is sweetness
in the laughter of all the stars
and in the memories
of those you love
The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Thank you, Jeanette for sending sparkly love and the perfect sentiment. xo
30 June 2011
27 June 2011
blog post: sometomes voluntourism is found in unsuspecting places
Read my latest post for Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide about my recent trip on Aqua Expeditions M/V Aria: "Sometimes Voluntourism Is Found in Unsuspecting Places."
22 June 2011
16 June 2011
today's top three happy list
Peonies blooming in my yard
Manita (a.k.a. Mimi), the rescue pup I brought back from Guatemala, turning into such a sweet beast
Wine-on-the-deck-worthy sunsets in Seattle. It's nights like this that make all the winter months of gray and gloom absolutely worth it.
media mention: dog's life magazine
All paws up to Olivia LaBarre at Dog's Life Magazine for featuring my volunteer work with dogs at AWARE Animal Rescue in Guatemala in the Summer 2011 issue.
The article features several voluntourism trips around the world that involve helping our four-legged friends. It's a thrill and an honor to share ink company with Nola Lee Kelsey of The Voluntary Traveler and animal advocate extraordinaire. Be sure to visit dogslifemagazine.com/voluntourism or TheVoluntaryTraveler.com for more animal voluntourism ideas.
The article features several voluntourism trips around the world that involve helping our four-legged friends. It's a thrill and an honor to share ink company with Nola Lee Kelsey of The Voluntary Traveler and animal advocate extraordinaire. Be sure to visit dogslifemagazine.com/voluntourism or TheVoluntaryTraveler.com for more animal voluntourism ideas.
15 June 2011
read: tbex 2011 review by go, see, write
Usually, I'm the one who says what everyone else wishes they had the chutzpah to say. Well, Michael Hodson of the blog Go, See, Write beat me to the publishing punch with this spot-on review of this year's TBEX conference in Vancouver, B.C.
"When the guy running the local food cart knows your conference is unorganized, you have a problem" sums up TBEX's dysfunction, although I'd have to put co-founder, Kim Mance's tacky opening remarks pretty high on the list. During the first few minutes of the weekend-long conference, Mance called out a travel blogger who had demanded the Presidential Suite at a nearby hotel. For free. I've crossed paths with plenty of travel bloggers who behave badly (ditto for PRs), so such a scenario isn't unfathomable. But, there are two sides to every story, and whether this story is or isn't true, starting a conference on a note of public humilation for one of its attendees is pretty crappy.
Sure, there were many positives to attending TBEX, but for me, the most memorable interactions did not take place within the confines of the conference center. It was about the people and the place, seeing old faces and making new friends. Being in Vancouver for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals was an absolute thrill. And for those moments, I am grateful.
But would I do it again? Hmm...I doubt it.
"When the guy running the local food cart knows your conference is unorganized, you have a problem" sums up TBEX's dysfunction, although I'd have to put co-founder, Kim Mance's tacky opening remarks pretty high on the list. During the first few minutes of the weekend-long conference, Mance called out a travel blogger who had demanded the Presidential Suite at a nearby hotel. For free. I've crossed paths with plenty of travel bloggers who behave badly (ditto for PRs), so such a scenario isn't unfathomable. But, there are two sides to every story, and whether this story is or isn't true, starting a conference on a note of public humilation for one of its attendees is pretty crappy.
Sure, there were many positives to attending TBEX, but for me, the most memorable interactions did not take place within the confines of the conference center. It was about the people and the place, seeing old faces and making new friends. Being in Vancouver for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals was an absolute thrill. And for those moments, I am grateful.
But would I do it again? Hmm...I doubt it.
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