Monday Top 10: Kate Trompetter, tops in service

The Monday Top 10 delves into the minds of some of the Modesto region’s movers and shakers. This week, Kate Trompetter, an active volunteer in the region, shares the Top 10 things to know about volunteering.

Trompetter is the marketing/PR director for the Center for Human Services, a local nonprofit. She is known for her philanthropic work throughout Stanislaus County, where she’s been on several boards, has supported local nonprofits, promoted Music in the Plaza, Mod Shop and other communitywide events and co-founded the Bette Belle Smith Day of Service.

Here are Trompetter’s Top 10 suggestions for giving back to your community:

1. Start with why: Figure out your passion. Ask yourself what you care about and why.

2. Give your passion: You are capable of the most impact if you are doing something that matters to you. Don’t give because that’s what you should do. Give because it feeds your soul.

3. There is no lack of opportunity: There are many people and organizations in Modesto that need you. There is opportunity for you to give everywhere. As an aside, I believe Modesto is a “right size” community, meaning, in my experience, it’s still small enough that you can really see your impact.

4. Educate yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about the needs in our community by talking to people who actually know what they are and who might suggest effective ways of meeting those needs.

5. There are resources to help: Check out resources such as United Way of Stanislaus County. They have an online volunteer database. It’s a wonderful resource. And when I Google “Volunteering in Modesto, CA,” the opportunities are abundant.

6. Use your passion creatively: At Center for Human Services, we view volunteers through three familiar lenses: time, treasures and talents. We all have the ability to give one or more of these things. As examples, I give my treasure (money) to Center for Human Services. I give my time to Leadership Modesto, Music in the Plaza, Mod Shop, Friends of George Rogers Park Committee, etc. And, I give my talent (music) to the retirement community that wants a piano player for a Sunday dinner.

7. Engage others: In 2010, our Leadership Modesto class hosted the Bette Belle Smith Day of Service. It was a lesson in collective impact. Look at the large-scale impact a movement like Love Modesto has had in just a few years. And think of what you can teach your children and others about giving back by doing it together. It’s really about partnerships which should be valued by all of us.

8. Be a “brand evangelist”: Local efforts to meet local needs are often operating with very little resources, making it hard for the need, and/or the effort to address the need, to be visible. You can have huge impact by finding a cause you’re passionate about and telling people about it every chance you get.

9. Do it for your/Modesto’s health: It’s no secret. Research suggests that giving back provides physical and emotional health benefits. I choose to give back for my health and for the health of my community. I challenge you to make giving in Modesto a daily exercise. And, if you’re in a position to do so, make giving part of your organizational culture. I’ve seen it have huge benefits.

10. Find balance: Most givers give too much of themselves away. I am capable of the most impact when I am also focused on me. Recently, I’ve been working to maintain balance and, in this pursuit, I am more open, and able, to have the impact I desire in my community. Be in service to Modesto in a way that is still in service to you.

This story was originally published June 19, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Monday Top 10: Kate Trompetter, tops in service."