UUFSMA: “Volunteerism: It’s Challenges and Benefits”

UU Service

“Volunteerism: It’s Challenges and Benefits”

William Dalsimer and Jennifer Butz

Sunday, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m.

La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio #15

by Jon Sievert

Long-time social activist and attorney William Dalsimer and Jennifer Butz, an international consultant on good governance and environmental justice, examine the challenges and benefits of volunteerism at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service.

Bill will briefly trace the history of volunteerism in America, examine the reasons why UUs are so actively drawn to it, discuss some of his early heroes such as Dr. Albert Schweitzer, and of the many benefits and some of the dangers of service. He considers volunteerism a revolutionary act to fight for social justice, an act of love and compassion, and a tool of empowerment within a community. Researchers have shown that volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, depression, and anxiety and provide a sense of purpose and pride.

Bill and Jen are both life-long Unitarian Universalists who learned about volunteering as young children and have made it an integral part of their lives since. He joined the Peace Corps upon graduation from college in 1962 and taught English in the Ivory Coast of West Africa. Following graduation from the New York University School of Law, he entered practice in a federally funded program providing legal services in the South Bronx. He later directed a legal office of Mobilization for Youth on New York’s Lower East Side and, for many years designed union-sponsored legal benefit plans and directed law offices providing legal coverage for working men, women, and families.

Bill currently divides his time between New York and San Miguel and considers both his home. His volunteerism in San Miguel includes teaching English with a Feed the Hungry project in a rural school and hosting annual gatherings for returned Peace Corps volunteers living, visiting, or currently working in Mexico. He is also serves on the UUFSMA Sunday Service Committee, the Social Action Committee, and Board of Directors.

In her wide-ranging career, Jennifer has led, designed, and worked on development projects focused on strengthening civil society, building constructive relationships among local governments and citizens, and promoting rural and local economic development. She has been a volunteer for multiple SMA organizations and currently spends much of her time deeply involved in the creation and operation of Caminamos Juntos (www.cjsma.org) that provides guidance and support to help Mexican nationals deported from the U.S. successfully adjust to life in Mexico.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 and welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. For information about our Children’s Sunday Program, contact us at chris.chase1955@gmail.com. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs for hospitality and discussion afterwards. Wheelchair accessible. For additional information, visit our web site at uufsma.org.