Simple Serve

This is what the people said via Ootsav! 2015- Of course I support the library! Because people like us do things like this! People came out and supported the effort by the community.  I was quietly surprised when I saw the ambush of the volunteers at the first volunteer meeting at the library. We did not have a clear agenda for the day of (we had one for the meeting). We did not know how and what we would do eventually- but we all knew one thing- we all wanted to give back to the community. To give back to the library in manifold ways, in ways that cannot be quantified.  Paraphrasing Seth Godin- the reason for the existence of donors/ volunteers and non-profits is that we don't know how to solve some problems in the world. Problems that are unprecedented -like the economic recession and what it did to our economy and then to our library. When we move to volunteer and fundraising for a cause, we take risks which don't make profitable sense. This risk basically pu...

on my tea box to do another program of classical indian music would be a dream come true. It is here that I love to be creative with what I would like to do.  >>>>I wrote this in November of last year and it is coming true!

It's a delicate line between asking a woman what she wants and telling her what's good for her. It is something I learned the hard way (and got trained) as a women's advocate while working with women who seek out help. Initially- after the first feelings of "doing-good" you get to another plane where you see a pattern of women going back to abusive relationships (with good reas ons- stigma, children, financial stability -and those are real ones). Then all you want to do is be there for them. Be there. Be there. Without judgement. Secondly, as an advocate- you take a few calls everyday and meet a few women; a lot of them desperately seeking help and sometimes asking for shelter. You need to have a better handle on your own understanding about the fact that you are not the judge of what is to be the right thing for someone else's life. Meaning you counsel as a peer and not as a "helper" or a "fixer" of problems. The training I did as a...

This is a project to encourage Seniors and eligible Juniors at the High Schools to vote during election time in the Fall. The process involves the following steps that can be taken on by volunteers at the High School: 1. Bring the registration papers to their focus and help them become voters.  This process involves getting in touch with the high school authorities to take permission, publicize about the sign-up program and be ready to register the students during school hours. 2. Another aspect of this process would be to create videos to explain the mechanics of voting and the importance of it on how to do it while in the voting booth. 3. An added initiative would be- if most students are going to be in college the following year, then they will need to be made aware of the process of voting by mail. All this in an effort to boost civic participation at a young age.

There has been much said about the quality of the Cafeteria food in the public school lunches. Have you wondered why it is an issue? Have you thought there could be alternatives to what you and all your friends are eating everyday? If so, find out more. Sue Sheff writes  here  about all that is wrong with our food in the schools. The Lance Armstrong foundation supports this venture. It is a great way to find your element and balance to better health. This involves getting in touch with the school authorities, taking necessary permissions to enable the project, write proposal and seek approval. The venture can be published at the local newspaper as well. One aspect of it would be to detail the sources of food being served. Who the caterers are, how far is the location of food, what is the carbon footprint of the food being served? In addition, the nutrition value of the food can also be a case for study.

Back to Tap Encourage residents to reduce the number of disposable water bottles used and thrown into the trash in Montgomery .  Ask residents to switch from bottled water to tap water, to use reusable water bottles when possible and to recycle.  Publicize the quality of tap water (Elizabethtown/NJ American Water can provide data).  Educate residents on health reusable bottles, for example, plastic BPA-free bottles, stainless steel and glass.  See www.back2tap.com for more information. Municipal Representative : Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or 908-359-8211 ext. 343 Improve Recycling in Montgomery Township Visit the Somerset County Recycling center, research businesses not recycling, work with the Montgomery Township Recycling Coordinator and Montgomery Sustainability Committee to send letters to those businesses, track success, encourage residential recycling.  Participants wi...

Heart Health Fair Organize and carry out a Heart Health fair during the month of February (Heart Month) at the Otto Kauffman Community Center .    Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Health Officer  email: Scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us  or 908-359-8211 ext. 245 Great American Smoke Out Organize and carry out an event related to the Great American Smoke Out in November for awareness of the dangers of smoking. Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Health Officer email:  Scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us  or 908-359-8211 ext. 245 Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Screenings for Fathers Organize and carry out a Father/Son baseball game in which cholesterol and blood pressure screenings are available to the fathers. Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Health Officer email: Scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us  or (908) 359-8211 ext. 245 Blood Drive Organize and carry out a Blood Drive . Municip...

English/Spanish Bike Safety Brochure Develop a brochure on bicycle safety in Spanish and English for use at the Princeton English as a Second Language Class. Municipal Representative: Sarah Roberts, Pedestrian Committee Chair email:   kops-and-robs@comcast.net or (908) 359-4837 Pathway Distance Work with the Open Space/Pathways Committee to determine the length of all pathways in the Township.  The scout could also erect mile markers on trees or stakes. Municipal Representative: Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or 908-359-8211 ext. 343 Interpretive Signs on School Link and Canal/Boardwalk Trails Research the information that should be displayed on interpretive signs that are required by the DEP for two public trails. Township will cover expenses for the fabrication of the signs. Municipal Representative: Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp...