Finding Your Cause.

Hello everyone!

My name is Danielle McNally, and I’m a new ONEin3 Boston Mayor’s Advisory Council member for the 2010-2011 year. As a prelude to blogging about various ONEin3er topics, I would like to introduce myself.

Short version: I’m 27, from western Massachusetts, live in South Boston, intern at a PR firm and go to grad school at Emerson College.

But what I really want to tell you is that I’m super excited to connect with all of you, serve you, and alongside my Council members, make Boston better for you. As a problem-solver, public servant, and enthusiast/publicist of all fun, affordable, and unique things to do in the city, I have been appropriately placed on the Social and Cultural Life subcommittee. I can’t wait to work on initiatives to facilitate more cultural engagement and make events and activities more accessible to you.

But I have to tell you - I’m am also really looking forward to working on the ONEin3 initiative as a whole. This is because its focus is so close to home for me.

I am very passionate about all issues that we work on here at ONEin3, including Jobs & Careers, Civic Engagement, Young Families and Education, and Affordable Housing because in the four plus years that I’ve lived here, I have personally felt the impact of many of these issues and opportunities that face our age demographic.  I could be considered the epitome of a ONEin3er in this city.

And for the few issues that I haven’t yet faced (raising a family in the city), I may do so in the future.  In my life here, I’ve contemplated career paths, looked  for a  job,  searched for an affordable apartment,  explored opportunities to volunteer and serve the community, cultivated new extracurricular interests, made new friends, worked to save money and set goals for the future. I’ve also encountered challenges in all of these areas, and I know you have too.

The recession, high cost of living (and enjoying social and cultural life), the salary of a young professional, and the dreaded “What do I want to do with my life?” refrain are all challenges that have caused me to question whether I could make this all work in this city for long-term.

But I stop there. I must assert that every time I have walked through the city on its coldest or hottest day, stared at the skyline and all of its amazing old/new architecture, experienced both its history and innovation, and have been inspired by the professional and personal ambition of the city-dwellers around me, my love and determination for the city is renewed. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I love this city, and despite the challenges, I know I’m going to make it work.

So, friends, because I am quite inspired I encourage you to find YOUR cause. Beyond work, home, and social life-sometimes you need something more.

This city is full of opportunities for you to work or volunteer for a non-profit or civic cause that you feel close to-and if you take advantage of it, you will feel immensely rewarded. The ideas you have and action that you can take are boundless. So, in an effort to promote “civic engagement” I encourage you. Go find yours.

There are so many organizations that want your involvement, and will be excited and grateful to have you. You can become a regular volunteer, committee member - even a board member! More and more organizations are launching “Young Professionals” committees that need innovative, energetic and forward-moving individuals like yourself to help sustain and promote the cause.

To get started, first think about what you care about. And then check out some of the following to get some volunteer or committee member ideas: BostonCares, Volunteer Boston,  Bridgestar, Network For Good,  or BoardSource.  To be added to an email listserve of opportunites, check out YNPN Boston.

There’s an organization for every cause, and they are waiting for you. If you’re passionate about it, it won’t feel like work. You’ll have fun, feel good, and make new friends along the way.

Danielle M