Michelle Nunn was waiting for her Peace Corps application to go through when she decided to help a start-up volunteer organization instead. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1989, she was hired as what she calls a “glorified executive director/intern” for Hands On Atlanta, the first of what would become dozens of Hands On affiliates in cities across the nation and world.
Since then, the Hands On Network—which began when about 20 friends decided to invite others to participate in service—has become one of the largest community-based volunteer organizations, with more than half a million volunteers. Efforts include everything from rebuilding communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina to meeting needs in schools, parks, senior homes, food banks, pet shelters, and low-income neighborhoods. The projects vary, ranging from teaching reading to building wheelchair ramps. In 2005, Hands On completed more than 50,000 projects.
“I think we all thought there was a big potential to make a difference in our community,” says Nunn, adding that she and the other co-founders probably didn’t imagine that their idea would have resulted in Hands On affiliates as far away as Manila or Zimbabwe.
Nunn attributes much of the organization’s growth to a hunger among residents who desired to be part of a community and who wanted to be involved in something larger than them. Those desires have only increased, especially in light of national events such as 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina.
“I had a real passion for community service and volunteerism, so I had a real passion for the work,” says Nunn, daughter of former Georgia State Senator, Sam Nunn. She and the other board members also shared a willingness take different approaches, and to be bold in their thinking. But, they also faced challenges. One initial obstacle was finding a way to get others to buy into the idea. Also, they needed to figure out how to turn the vision of a small group of people into a vision that reflected a large group of people.
“Really the beauty of how we grew was that it was very much organic,” she says, noting that some affiliates were created when people involved in Hands On in one city moved to another city and wanted to start one there. “It sort of took shape and grew roots in an organic way.” Hands On affiliates currently are in sixty-six communities.
Nunn notes that corporate partnerships in particular enabled them to grow, with Atlanta-based companies such as Home Depot, Coca-Cola, UPS, and Delta Air Lines providing financial support. In fact, their Corporate Service Council of CEOs and civic leaders launched a corporate month of service in 2005, which occurs yearly every September. It’s part of the Hands on Campaign, an effort to mobilize 6.4 million volunteers over the two years in projects impacting children and education, health and wellness, and the environment.
Everyone has the capacity to do something for the community, even if it’s a small step, Nunn says. “The first steps are the hardest,” she admits. “Being of service to others and making a difference, being connected in the community, is one of the best ways that you can have a meaningful life.” She adds that there are ways to give back while integrating your family life or pursuing your passions. For example, if there’s an outdoor activity you enjoy doing, think of ways to do that while involving others.
Sometimes one-on-one opportunities can be the most fulfilling. Nunn began mentoring a girl, Giovanni, when she was 6 years old, a relationship that’s deepened over the last 12+ years. Giovanni even joins family vacations with Nunn, her husband and two children. That story is among many in Be the Change! Change the World. Change Yourself, a book Nunn edited that includes photos and stories about volunteerism from folks such as U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Cokie Roberts, Tom Brokaw, and Deepak Chopra as well as citizens, business and government leaders.
