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Volunteering Empowers the Community Building Professionals Give Back on Workdays BY STEFFI RAUSCH here are many benefits to volunteering: the social aspect of networking and meeting new people, the community aspect of helping others, the mental and physical aspect of learning new skills, and much more. One aspect that sticks out the most and yet doesn’t get mentioned often is the “happiness effect” — the idea that helping others kindles happiness. In fact, research shows that the more people volunteer, the happier they are. When compared with people who never volunteer, those who partake in a volunteer opportunity monthly tend to be 7 percent happier and those who do so weekly are 16 percent happier, according to a study in the Social Science and Medicine journal. As operations coordinator for Green Built Alliance’s Energy
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Phelps Clarke, construction manager at Pisgah Energy, felt inspired to volunteer for Energy Savers Network because of his passion for energy efficiency. DANIEL SUBER PHOTOS
Savers Network (ESN) program, I am always impressed when building professionals who do this work full time also volunteer to help with our weatherization efforts in their off time. “It feels good to give back,” said Phelps Clarke, construction manager at Pisgah Energy, who heard about ESN through his work as a member of the Blue Horizons Project Community Council. “You’ll be working on older homes and trailers for the most part, and it makes you appreciate how far building science has come over the years. Plus, they don’t ask you to go into the attic or the crawlspace, so that is a big plus.” Clarke said he felt inspired to volunteer for ESN because of his passion for energy efficiency. “I’ve made my career in installing rooftop solar systems,” Clarke said. “We always say energyefficiency should come first, then
Get involved VOLUNTEER If you are a contractor with downtime during your week, come volunteer with us. Energy Savers Network utilizes volunteers to empower people and restore the climate through free home energy-efficiency assessments and upgrades for low-income households. No previous experience is necessary to volunteer, and all tools and training will be provided. We can accommodate teams of up to 10 people, especially for our latest project with the Housing Authority of Asheville, through which we will be improving 1,000 homes over the next year. Volunteer shifts are four to six hours long, and take place on Tuesday through Friday, and sometimes Saturdays. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities by visiting energysaversnetwork.org/volunteer, or connect with us by emailing volunteer@energysaversnetwork.org.
SPONSOR Energy Savers Network offers a sponsorship program to nonprofits or businesses. We are very humbled and grateful for the support of our first sponsors, WENOCA Sierra Club and Sugar Hollow Solar. Their sponsorship funds enable us to provide more extensive home upgrades for our clients in need, and organize events and workshops. For more information visit energysaversnetwork.org/sponsors.
ABOUT ESN Energy Savers Network is a program of the nonprofit GreenBuilt Alliance under the umbrella of the Blue Horizons Project, and working in partnership with Buncombe County and the City of Asheville.
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