We have all been in Benjamin Zander's shoes. Every night as he sat down to dinner with his parents and high-achieving siblings came the seemingly innocent question: "What did you do today?" It was code for "What did you accomplish today?" and it produced extreme feelings of inadequacy and anxiety in the young Zander that lasted into adulthood.

 

Even as he became a renowned symphony conductor, his drive for success and his fear of failure gnawed at his self confidence and chewed up his relationships. Finally he gained a new perspective: "The game of success was just that, a game. I realized I could invent a new game, " he writes in the book The Art of Possibility.

 

The new game he called "I am a contribution." With that he realized that the questions: "Is it enough?" or "Am I loved for who I am, or what I have accomplished?" could be replaced by "How will I be a contribution today?"

 

Feelings of competition, scarcity, distrust and fear were replaced. "In the game of contribution," he writes, "you wake up each day and bask in the notion that you are a gift to others."

 

I am proud that Portlandia Club members consider "contributing" as one of three important reasons for our club's existence.  

 

And I am also encouraged by Zander's advice to all of us: "Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference. The contribution game appears to have remarkable powers for transforming conflicts into rewarding experiences." Words to live by.

      

Janis Collins
President 2012    

 

Over the years, I've learned that great experiences in volunteering result when I can answer "Yes," to several key questions:

• Is the program well administered, with clear oversight and support for my contribution?
• Is it sustainable as a place to put my energies, with clear and accurate time parameters?
• Is it of significant value to myself as the giver, as well as to the recipient of the service?

 

Portlandia's Mentor Program is a winner on all three counts! From the first, I appreciated the excellent orientation and background materials that new mentors receive. I and my mentee, Shannon, have also been aided by well-thought out forms that document goal-setting, action steps, and contacts. The time commitment is exactly what I was led to expect, and it's been a treat to hear of Shannon's accomplishments at our monthly in-person meetings and during in-between phone conversations.

 

Supporting Shannon is an honor, an inspiration, and a sobering reminder of the needs of women who are in transition from crisis to success. Shannon herself has shared some thoughts about our ongoing and mutually rewarding relationship:

 

"Karen and I hit the jackpot as mentor and mentee; we were perfectly matched for success! Karen is a strong, respectful leader, and we share similar values, ambitions and goals for life's best experiences. Karen is my sounding board. I am not reporting to the principal, priest or parent. I want to share progress with Karen, because she will not judge me. She will listen, guide, and provide me with food for thought. 

 

I hope that I will be able to give back to Karen as much as she has given and continues to give to me. Thank you, Karen! Thank you, Portlandia! Thank you, Dress for Success!"