Connections Planet.com

As this web site nears completion, it will soon be time to start recruiting Zip Code Managers (ZCM’s).  Up untill this time, my efforts on this site have revolved around the technical and business aspects (ever wondered how log it takes to FTP 33,507 directories with 15 pages each to a remote server, or how long it toakes to create 550,000 web pages in the first place?).

Throughout this whole process, my thought has been, “If you build it, they will come”.  Now it is time to open the gates and welcome the ZCM’s to the site…

What is a ZCM?

This site contains a section for every residential zip code in the US.  I am looking for a person to take responsibilitiy for adding local news to their zip codes site and to sell local advertising.  The ZCM is an independent contractor, which means that they are in their own buisness.  They work their own hours and manage the site as they see fit.  In exchange, they receive 50% commission on all advertising they sell.

Is this a “get rich quick” scheme?

No, that is what I am competing against.  ZCMs can earn a decent income on their own schedule, but they will not be moving into a $1,000,000 house yet, at least not on what they earn here.  If they sell all advertising space in their site, they can earn about $2,250 a month.  In addition they can sell ads to local businesses for ads in multiple zip code sites, and earn commission on those.

Why would anyone want to be a ZCM?

Simple… to serve the community.  Help you friends and neighbors get the word out about school and church events.  Help the leaders of your community to show the good things your zip code has to offer.  Best of all, their is no one telling you what is or is not news in your community.  It is as though someone has given you a printing press and a distribution channel for your publication. 

Click on the link on the ConnectionsPlanet home page ( www.connectionsplanet.com ) for more information on becoming a ZCM, if you are this kind of person we are looking for!

Welcome to the Connections Planet Blog.  Since this site is based on serving the communities in which we live, I want to share with you my thoughts on why I volunteer my time to community projects.

~ Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. ~
Author unknown
http://www.finestquotes.com

 
Why should I volunteer?

As a Supervisor for a private security firm, it seems like there is always something to be done for work.  As a father of two teenagers,  It seems like there is always something to be done.  As a husband,  it seems like there is always something to be done.  So why do I give up one Sunday night every other week, plus occasional days off to serve as the Adult Sponsor to an organization of teenagers?

For the past two years, I have served as the Adult Sponsor for the Norfolk (Nebraska) Youth Leadership Council (NYLC).  This group of teens participate in city, county, state and national political events, they have volunteered to help a (religious)  Book Store do a “back to school carnival/concert for the community”, they have sponsored dances for 7th graders in the community, they visit the state legislature and voice their opinions, and they just finished holding a “Battle of the Bands” concert for the youth of the community. 

For the Battle of the Bands, they worked with City Council members to secure use of the City Auditorium, business owners for financial support, News media for publicity and posted flyers at all schools within a 100 mile radius (with assistance of the the owner of a local music store).

Why do I do it? 

Last Friday I visited a business in town that I had not been in for a long time.  The owner had taken his kids to the Battle of the Bands.  He recognized me as having been with the organization that sponsored the event.  He thanked me for our organization providing “something for the kids to do” .  He shook my hand.

Last Spring I went with the members of NYLC to the State Capital to talk to the senators and to be recognized on the floor of the Senate.  At one point I noticed that a couple of the “kids” were missing.  I walked back a bit, and saw them “holding the door” for a group of elderly people who were touring the Capital.  When the last person from that group entered the building, the “kids” caught up to our group and we continued on our way.  Later I had a State Senator approach me and asked me to thank the young gentlemen and ladies who had held the doors. 

So, I go back to the question, “Why do I do it?”. 

When a music store owner shakes your hand and says “thank you” from his heart, when a Senator takes the time to track you down and says “thank you” for providing leadership and guidance to a bunch of teens, you feel a pride that can not easily be put into words.

Most communities do not have a group like NYLC, but they do have Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, 4-H chapters, church youth groups and others.  And, if they don’t, the do have nursing homes, Veterans homes, Habitat for Humanity, rescue missions and more.  Talk to the owner of a Nursing home and ask if you can bring a Sunday School class or a boy scout troop to visit.  Help out in the kitchen of the rescue mission.  Or… just hold the door for a person who has their hands full.  The thanks you will receive will make you feel good.

In closing, years ago, someone once told me that the first indication found that man had evolved in to a caring creature was the first skeletin that was found with a broken arm that had healed.

Ask yourself, if you had lived back then, would you have given of yourself to help that person with the broken arm, or would his inability to hunt for himself have led to his death with the broken arm?