DOWNSIZE MATTERS

Some 50, 000 Americans were laid off  just yesterday.  They join hundreds of thousands of others who have lost their jobs in recent months.  They have so much to contribute.  Is there some way to harness their skills--and help them--while they search for new work? I got to thinking about this after reading Margot Pritzker's Huffington Post description of an organization she helped found, WomenOnCall.org.

According to the organization's website, "WomenOnCall.org is Chicago's first online network that matches Chicago-area women who are committed to sharing their professional skills and expertise with non-profit organizations that have specific and immediate volunteer needs."  These good souls are helping non-profits "one hour at a time."  A terrific idea...and we suspect one hour often generously turns into two or five. Visit: http://womenoncall.org/index.cfm

What does this have to do with layoffs?  It occurs to me that those who have been laid off also have skills and expertise that might benefit non-profits...and sadly they may have a little more time for this than expected.  Perhaps on days when they are not fully busy looking for jobs, such men and women might find it rewarding to lend their expertise to non-profits.  Such volunteer work might have the added benefit of networking and helping in the job search.

And so an idea that I hope someone will be interested in following through on: creation of an organization or website that pairs laid off men and women, professional and non-professional, with non-profits that could use their skills.  Possible name: Downsized But Not Out.

A final thought: this is not intended to put the burden of public service on the unemployed.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to be working have an added responsibility in these tough times.