Spring 2004

Melanie Martin

Melanie Martin considers herself a professional volunteer.

��I find the most contented people, the people I personally admire and respect, are the ones who contribute to the good of the whole,� she said. �It�s not important how much you do, just do something.��

The list of volunteer organizations Martin is affiliated with reads like a Who�s Who in the field of philanthropy � the Junior League of Lafayette, the Family Tree, Leadership Lafayette, United Way of Acadiana, Lafayette Junior Leadership and the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, just to name a few.

Surprisingly, she does it all without the aid of a cell phone, electronic date book or a computer.

It�s the human connection Martin enjoys.

�I favor the personal touch. For me to be effective, I need to be out in the community. No email for me.�

Martin attended USL in the early I 970s, but left when she and her husband, Jimmy, had their soil, Max. She was a stay-at-home mom until Max started kindergarten. Martin then began to dabble in volunteer causes.

It wasn�t until 1985, when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease and her
husband�s aunt learned that she had terminal cancer, that Martin immersed herself in volunteer work.

�It was then that I became more aware of having a more purposeful life, a life filled with meaning, a reason for being,� she recalled. �Those two terminally ill women really taught me the true meaning of giving. That was definitely a pivotal point in my life.��

She soon joined the Junior League of Lafayette. Although she was already a member of the Ladies Civitan Club and the Kiwanis Club of Acadiana, Martin said Junior League launched her career in volunteerism.

She called her affiliation with Junior League a �springboard�� that expanded her vision as a volunteer. She also began to network, making invaluable contacts that would eventually lead to joining other non-profits, such as the United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana and the Boy Scouts of America�s Evangeline Area Council.

It was through Kiwanis that she met Dan Hare, executive director of the UL Alumni Association. She volunteered to help with Homecoming activities and chaired the silent and hive auctions at the association�s Spring Gala two years ago.

�I carry the UL auction form with me at all times,� Martin said. �When I run into or meet people, I find out if they would consider a request and if I can contact them. I am inspired by every
�yes� that I receive.�

She uses her powers of persuasion to get people not only to contribute, but to volunteer, as
well.

�Start somewhere, anywhere. Volunteers have different skills, talents and contacts to bring to the table. Charity begins at home, but it shouldn�t stop there.�