Want to learn about your new community…….get involved!

Volunteering your time, money, or energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better—it also makes you better. Studies indicate that the very act of giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being, and enhances an individual’s overall sense of purpose and identity—particularly if they no longer hold a life-defining role like “worker” or “parent.” Very simply, HELPING OTHERS GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND SATISFACTION. 

Volunteering is a great way to:

• Make a difference
• Meet new people
• Influence change. 
• Build confidence and self-esteem.
• Keep your skills up-to-date. 
• Get connected 
• Find your passion.  

There is perhaps no other charitable investment more efficient than the arts.  The payoff touches more sectors than any other.  Where do you want to make a difference?

Education/Children:  Here is a list of skills that young people learn from exposure to the arts:

1. Creativity 
2. Confidence/Self Esteem
3. Critical thinking/Problem Solving.
4. Perseverance 
5. Focus 
6. Communication skills (verbal and non verbal)
7. Receiving/giving Constructive Feedback
8. Collaboration/Teamwork 
9. Dedication 
10. Accountability 
11. Good Judgement
12. Perspective 
    

Economic Development /Job Creation.  The arts bring in visitors and make the Lake Country a destination, which leads to the opening of shops, restaurants, and services; this creates jobs and makes the area attractive to companies.  Increased revenue to the counties allows better roads, better public safety services, better hospital care, better schools, higher real estate values.

Recreation.  We already have an incredible lake and 9 great golf courses in the Lake Country, but what is there to do for people not into fishing or golf?  What does anyone do when it rains?  

Historic Preservation: Many of our arts venues are in historic buildings in a historic district. All are part of the architectural fabric of the town.

Specific arts passion?  Here’s who to contact to get involved:

• Performing Arts:  OPAS (Oconee Performing Arts Society, www.opas.org), PAPA (Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts, www.plazacenter.org), The Plaza Arts Center (www.plazacenter.org) ,  Lake Country Players (www.lakecountryplayers.org) , Festival Hall (www.festivalhallga.com)

• Visual Arts:  The Artisans Village (www.theartisansvillage.org)

• Museums: Georgia Writers Museum (www.georgiawritersmuseum.org) , Uncle Remus Museum (www.uncleremusmuseum.org) , Old School History Museum (www.oldschoolhistorymuseum.org) 

• Education:  Putnam Charter School System (www.putnam.k12.ga.us), Andalusia Institute (www.gcsu.edu/andalusiainstitute) 

We need volunteers for every facet of what we do, and there is something that should satisfy everyone.  Join a committee and pitch in!  Whatever your background, the most important skills you can bring are enthusiasm, dedication, and curiosity.  But if you want to use some expertise you have, we all need help in:

• Marketing/Communications
• Retail operations
• Community outreach/PR
• Database operations
• Web site development and management
• Social media positioning
• Event planning
• Financial
• Fund raising
• Membership