You may have noticed that at the end of my weekly column it says: “works at the Edwardsburg Area History Museum.”

I am not a worker.

One of the definitions of work says work is the effort applied to produce a deliverable or accomplish a task. That I do, sometimes. But I am officially retired from what I knew as work.

At least a job that I got paid for. But today I have no job, no work and no pay. Remember I said recently that at the museum there are low paying or no paying jobs. All of the jobs at themuseum are no paying.

Merriam Webster says a jobis an activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money. The Business Dictionary states work is a job, something done to earn money. A job is an activity, often regular, and often performed in exchange for payment.

A person usually begins a job by becoming an employee, volunteering, or starting a business. The duration of a job may range from an hour (in the case of odd jobs) to a lifetime. The activity that requires a person’s mental or physical effort is work (as in “a day’s work.”) If a person is trained for a certain type of job, they may have a profession. The series of jobs a person holds in their life is their career.

I am past the work stage, the profession and the career. Today I am a volunteer for the museum and for the Argus.

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect There is no financial gain involved for the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization and fun. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer as well as for the person or community served. It is helping, assisting, or serving another person or persons without pay.

Being a volunteer can be a joy, a hobby or a duty.  Sometimes the work is tedious but there is a sense of accomplishment that you are helping others.

The museum doesn’t have any workers as in paid employees. They have only volunteers that enjoy their accomplishments in providing a service for the community. Around 20 of them come each week to a causal meeting on Wednesday morning. There are no cookies or coffee or any incentive to be there. Why do they come? The gatherings are all about how to keep the museum active and the artifacts protected. It is a service to the community. This community is very fortunate to have so many volunteers  in all endeavors. It demonstrates pride and a commitment to making a better life for all. If I attempted to list all of the volunteers and their purposes it would fill this newspaper.

So if you think I work at the museum, I do not, I work for the Edwardsburg Argus.

Now as for the museum where I do not work, last week a power presentation was given  at the museum by Erin Souchick, a teacher in the Edwardsburg Schools. The school has many good teachers who should be showcased by area groups. They are very talented and informative. Let’s promote our local talent. Clubs and organizations can benefit from their knowledge and experiences. Contact the school for a good evening of information.

 

Jo-Ann Boepple works at the Edwardsburg Area History Museum