Last year, over 190 million adults nationwide volunteered their time, energies, and talents to others. Their efforts ranged from mowing the next-door neighbor's lawn to coordinating a county-wide blood drive for the American Red Cross; from serving as a reading tutor in an after-school community program to monitoring pollutant levels in the local creek; from organizing a citizens' block watch to planning a state-wide campaign to stop drunk driving. Whatever your interest, there are opportunities to volunteer and other people interested in working with you. 

Research indicates that people volunteer because they "want to help others" and "see a need." Other reasons often cited include "it makes me feel good as a person" and "I want to make a difference."

Quantity and quality of time are often identified as potential barriers to volunteering. However, volunteering doesn't always require a long-term commitment. Many times, volunteering involves helping for a short period of time, hopefully on a return basis; this is called episodic volunteering. 

If you don't want to spend time away from the family, today many organizations provide volunteering opportunities for entire families spanning several generations to spend quality time together while helping others. In fact, there's a national "Family Volunteer Day," on Nov. 20. 

Many workplaces organize volunteer opportunities and some businesses even provide time during the work day for employees to volunteer. More and more volunteer organizations provide training and support for volunteers during non-traditional hours so that the volunteer can decide where and when to fulfill their commitment to service. If you live in an urban area, national City Cares organizations, known as "Cares" or "Hands On" groups, engage over 100,000 individuals in direct, hands-on service within their local communities each year.

So, this year, why not give the gift of time: Become a volunteer. For more information about volunteer opportunities in your local community, contact your local United Way or volunteer action center (VAC). Or, telephone the national Points of Light Foundation at 1-800-865-8683. For information on Family Volunteer Day in your area, call 1-800-VOLUNTEER. Also, visit the City Cares web site (http://www.citycares.org) for more information on urban volunteer opportunities.

by: R. Dale Safrit, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Human and Community Resource Development and Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Leadership Education.
 

LifeTime Tip
A good marriage needs a balance of separateness and togetherness. Follow these guidelines for a successful relationship:

• Allow each other room to breathe - to have privacy and quiet time. Possessiveness has no place in a healthy marriage.
• Try to do some activity together at least once a week. Plan to do something you both enjoy on a regular basis. It adds fun to your lives while also allowing you to be close.
• Always consider your partner's needs. Partners shouldn't have to sacrifice their personal desires or needs for each other, but they should always consider what kind of impact meeting their own needs will have on the other person. Be responsible for your actions.

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Every conceivable product can be purchased on-line today; from groceries to prescription drugs, clothing, furniture and yes, even automobiles. If you want to buy it, you can do it sitting at your computer. Shopping on-line can be a great time-saver for today's busy families. However, shopping on-line is not without its problems. Here are some key points you must keep in mind when shopping on-line:

• Shop at a secure site. A secure site is one that accepts your credit card for payment, then "encrypts" or scrambles the information so that no one but that site can read it. Most web browser software will provide a "pop up" box that will alert you about a potential security risk at these shopping sites. You should also check the browser for the security lock icon on the tool bar or at the bottom of your screen in the status line. If the lock is closed, this indicates a secure web site. You can safely provide your credit card number here. If the security lock icon is open, don't give out your number. 
• Always pay with a credit card. If there is a problem, you then have recourse through your credit card company. 
• Never give out your Social Security number. There should never be any reason you would be required to give anyone on-line your Social Security number or any personal banking information. Giving out this information opens you up to all sorts of potential problems. When filling out any on-line form, only give the required information. This is usually designated with an asterisk (*). If you are uncomfortable giving that information on-line, find out if you can call or fax in your order.
• Check the return policy of the company. Just as with catalog shopping, know what the return policy is before purchasing. Will you be reimbursed for shipping? Is there a time limit on returns? How long will you have to wait before a product is shipped? Will you receive immediate credit?
• Read company privacy policies. Most sites have a "privacy policy" included on the site. It may not be obvious at first, but find it and take the time to read it before you purchase anything. If you order something, some companies will sell your e-mail address and other personal information. This opens you up to getting "spammed," the electronic version of junk mail.
• Remember the saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." This is just as true with the Internet as it is with a door-to-door salesperson or a telephone solicitor. Don't be taken in by special offers, contests or other types of scams. If you receive e-mail about something, check it out first. You don't have to act immediately. You can check with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/) if you are suspicious. 

by: Eleanor Ames, CFCS, Instructor, Ohio State University Extension

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Traditions are also foundations for learning. Research shows that routines and traditions are part of healthy families. Traditions promote positive brain development for young children, give security to children of all ages, and help bridge generations if they are enjoyed and looked forward to by everyone. Children remember the things done together as a family far more than the gifts they've received. 

In effort to make traditions and routines memorable, take time to talk about the special things your family is planning for the holidays and why they are important to you. Include the children and make changes if necessary to meet your family's growing needs. Traditions are the daily threads of life that bind us together as a family unit. Make it a point this year to have special times to build upon. These are "memories in the making" for years to come.

by: Melinda Hill, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Wayne Co, Ohio State University Extension

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To combat this, give children appropriate ways to feel power.  (if you don't, children will find inappropriate ways to fee their power.)  Ask their advice, give them choices, let them help balance the checkbook, or help with household tasks - even if you can do these tasks yourself with less hassle.

Also, use natural consequences.  When parents consistently interfere in situations, they rob children of learning opportunities.  Allow consequences to do the talking, rather than constant nagging or reminding.

from: Ohio State University Extension's "Home and Away" fact sheet series (http://ohioline.ag.ohio-state.edu/hyg-fact/5000/homeaway.html)

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