L.A. Works Thanks it's Project Leaders

L.A. Works Makes it Easy to Volunteer in Los Angeles

We Salute our Project Leaders
October, 2004

Project Leader of the Month

Russell Ali

Almost every project leader at L.A. Works will recognize this month's Project Leader of the Month - Russell Ali. Why? For several years now Russell has been leading our Project Leader training. Russell has a buoyant enthusiasm for the power of positive works, and he's inspired several years worth of new Project Leaders with the tips and insights he dispenses in our monthly PL Training.

In addition to the trainings, Russell has led a wide-range of L.A. Works projects including the International Center for Gibbon Studies, Bethesda House (now Alegria), LA Mission, St. Thomas Transitional Living, Aviva Center, Angel's Flight, and Reading to Kids (Mar Vista).

In addition, Russell has been involved in four L.A. Works Days, the United We Stand project, TeamWorks, BusinessWorks, and virtually every committee at L.A. Works! His enthusiasm and involvement have been extraordinary. He tells people about L.A. Works everywhere he goes!

Russell is a Los Angeles Native -- Loan Officer and E-Commerce Business owner by day, volunteer and percussionist by night. In addition to L.A. Works he volunteers on Political Projects and as a teacher with 6-11 year olds at his church.

For the last two years, Russell has primarily focused on training new Project Leaders. We asked him why: "I love to lead these for many reasons. The two main reasons: One, to increase the number of monthly projects to 75 and beyond! Two, my personal goal of speaking and causing 10,000 volunteers to take on community leadership!

I love to talk with volunteers about leading from where their passion lies in our community. From passion you can inspire the masses with charisma and love. I also enjoy showing them the Project Leader checklist and relating the checklist to Paint By Numbers. I call it Leading By Numbers. Through the monthly trainings I have met some great volunteers. I enjoy the calls and emails I get from new PLs about the first experiences. And then to see them a few months later sharing about their experiences as veteran PL's. Awesome! I would love to see the Project Leader trainings grow to 20 per training twice a month!

Russell is an eloquent spokesperson on the power of voluneerism. We asked him why he chooses to volunteer:

"Being born and raised in L.A., I love my community! I love working with people and being of service. I love seeing family/friends volunteer together creating a deeper connection. I consider it an honor to be able to speak with volunteers about leadership. The experience is complete joy. Being a Project Leader has brought my organizational and interpersonal skills to new levels. TEAM WORK...that is what I love to generate...seeing people, total strangers, working together for a few hours and creating a loving impact in our community is what keeps me leading!"

Here's a few Project Leading tips from Russell that should inspire those of you who haven't had a chance to attend one of his recent trainings:

"...I would say that calling people back promptly and thanking them for signing up with excitement in your voice is the best way to get each volunteer to your project. I always look to involve 1 or 2 volunteers in the project set up or execution of the project. Having "Ice Breakers" that generate thought for the project you are about to do contributes to the success of your projects. On the day of your project, it is up to you clear yourself mentally to be present to your volunteers and to bring the level of excitement, love and passion UP to the next level. Acknowledge your volunteers always, and always have a closing meeting to thank them and get their feedback.

On February 4, 1968, Dr. King gave a speech titled the "Drum Major Instinct". This is an excerpt about being of service and greatness. This will blaze a fire under your leadership.

"If you want to be important - wonderful. If you want to be recognized - wonderful. If you want to be great - wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness."

This means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.

So Project Leaders unite and find the potential PLs in your volunteer groups because L.A. Works and our community needs them -- and you know what it takes to be one!"

We salute Russell and his wonderful evangelism for community service and leadership! Everyone who has trained with him has been amazed at his energy and enthusiasm! Thanks Russell!

This Month's Project Leaders

Thanks to all these Project Leaders leading projects during the month of October.

You are the real leaders in our community! The Staff & Board of Directors of L.A. Works thanks you for being the real superstars of our community!

Andrew Abeyesinghe
Bobbi Marin
Cindy Finocchi
Cynde Knerr
David Trilling
Dustin Manhart
Ed Simon
Elizabeth Amini
Helga Hung
Henry Meyer
Howard Weiner
Jacquie Moreno
Jay Ross
Luis De Avila
Marc Weinberg
Margaret Conway
Mary Lawler
Mia Farrell
Michael Hicks
Russell Ali
Sandy Boscarino
Shamon Chettle
Suzanne Studer Iselt
Suzanne Wiener
Teresa Castelli
Timothy Dickey
Veronica Cruz
Viet Hoang
William Wira

Want to join the ranks of L.A.'s most involved citizens? Become an L.A. Works Project Leader.

It's easy, it's fun, and it doesn't require a huge amount of your time.

Go to the Courses section of the website and sign up for Project Leader Training.

Past Project Leaders Of the Month

September, 2004 - Suzanne Wiener

August, 2004 - Veronica Cruz

July, 2004 - Margaret Conway

June, 2004 - Ellen Dugas

May, 2004 - Luis de Avila

April, 2004 - Mandana Dayani

Mar, 2004 - Cindy Finocchi

Feb, 2004 - Viet Hoang

Jan, 2004 - Teresa Castelli

Dec. 2003 - Mary Lawler

Nov. 2003 - Jose Valencia

Oct, 2003 - Dustin Manhart

Sept, 2003 - Marc Weinberg