I've had a tough run here the last two weeks. I worked really, really hard for the Obama Campaign. And make no mistake - that was DEEPLY rewarding work, particularly here in Virginia.
I closed the last diary I wrote with a personal note, fearing that I was facing some serious job issues in a serious economy filled with issues. I'd like to say I worried about nothing - but that would be untrue. On November 10, I was notified that my entire group within my very large company was going to be laid off.
So much for enjoying the Obama victory, right? I had to drop into action mode and start working on what it is I was going to do. More over the fold.
My company is huge. Enormous. I choose not to disclose it here for obvious reasons - but I can allude to it generally. As with most huge companies, we have several operating divisions. Part of the process of being laid off from this particular company is that laid off employees have a period of time, a bucket of resources, and other assistance trying to find employment within the company itself. That means looking not only in the division where I currently reside - but also in other divisions. As layoffs go, I think my company handles it in a pretty decent way.
So, as of the day after the election, I was feeling pretty uncomfortable about my employment status. So even though I wouldn't know for another week that I was going to be laid off, I planned accordingly and set up an interview with another of our operating divisions. I also started discreetly inquiring as to outside employment through a variety of recruiters that deal with senior people like me.
Fast-forward a few weeks. This morning I got word from the other operating division internal to my company that my transfer had been approved. I still have to negotiate salary and understand commission, territory (I'm in sales) and total compensation - and there are a LOT of discussions that are going to have to take place around that - but a worst case scenario seems to be (knock on wood) that I have secured a place for myself within my current company. That means my benefits (which are excellent) won't be interrupted. That means that my 401K vesting, matching and accumulation won't be interrupted. That mans that my tenure, writ large, won't be interrupted. There's a great deal of benefit to that (knock wood again - I'm superstitious!).
So I decided this morning that I'm very lucky. I'm lucky to have one thing that is shaping up to be solid. I'm lucky that I'm not an auto worker. I'm lucky that I don't work for CitiGroup. I'm lucky on a whole bunch of levels.
And that got me thinking about all those people - who have been laid off and who do not have my prospects - and how much help they're going to need.
I was in the PetsMart the other day, getting kitty litter and cat food and the myriad of other things my fur friends require. One of our local rescue groups was there with a cadre of excellent dogs who are currently in foster care and who long for a permanent, loving home. Some of the dogs were wearing doggie aprons that encouraged shoppers to donate. I pulled a $20 bill out of my purse and handed it to the handler. She asked if I needed change, and I told her I did not. She thanked me profusely - she indicated that in these tough times, their donations and therefore their ability to do the good work that they do is really being pinched.
I also sponsor special needs cats in foster care through another local rescue organization. I make sure I renew my sponsorship every month. It enables them to keep these kitties in foster care and appropriately see to their needs. I got a very nice note from the organization when I renewed my commitment for another quarter. The sponsorship coordinator indicated to me that the hard times are really impacting their ability to maintain the foster animals they currently have in care, let alone expand to care for more worthy and needy pets.
So that's twice in the span of a week I heard directly from charitable organizations that they are seriously feeling the crunch. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
So - I was drawn back to the necessity of being thankful for my options (and hopeful that they work out the way I want them to!) in this economy. And I decided that I am required to set aside some money every month to donate to charitable organization that are struggling.
Here are my organizations:
Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) - these guys are local to my area. They rescue adoptable cats and dogs and place them in foster care, see to their medical needs, and find them permanent, loving homes.
The Humane Society - Helping animals nationwide.
America's Second Harvest - these guys help keep food banks alive for people across the nation.
So that's my commitment.
I'm sure I'm not the only one here thinking about this. But I really felt compelled to write about my commitment and encourage those of us who are decidedly more fortunate - even if it doesn't feel that way right now - to keep some of these critical charities in mind.
I'd love to hear stories and suggestions from others in the comments. That's all I've got!