Do you live in Montgomery County or do you do business in the community? Regardless of whether you have a business or you want to meet new people with common interests, you have to make the first move to interact in the community. People with strong ties to their community feel better about themselves, deepen relationships with others, and create a sense of empowerment. Not to mention increase their relationships to grow their business.

Where to Start?

Let’s start with the easy places-your home neighborhood, churches, and schools.

Is your home located in a homeowners association? Most new developments and subdivisions have a neighborhood association that plans events, sets guidelines for homeowners, enforces deed restrictions, and elects officials. Attendance at monthly meetings will show others you are invested and care -regardless of your viewpoint.

What is your faith affiliation? We are in the Bible-belt of the Southwest, but you can find a place of worship in every community across the county. Older churches, start up churches, mega-churches, and non-denominational churches. Most churches encourage visitors to come to a Sunday service or an event to see if it’s a good fit with your values, family, and beliefs. Some churches are listed in the Church Directory. Chambers also have a church directory. The Greater Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber serves Willis, Lake Conroe, Montgomery, and Conroe at 936.756.6644. The Woodlands Chamber can be reached at 281.367.5777.

Do you have children? Schools always need volunteers. Events, classroom readers, lunch help, and the PTO. You don’t have to have a child in school to volunteer! It shows your children that you care, have an interest in what they are doing, and that you consider school a worthwhile cause. By interacting with teachers, administrators, and other parents you will gain first-hand experience of your child’s education. Plus you will be able to grow and change with your child.

Around the Community, Expanding the Reach

Transcendence is the awareness of things bigger than ourselves. Volunteering adds value to the community and your own level of living, behavior, and achievement. But to be effective you must listen to your heart. What are your strengths? Do you have a passion for the underprivileged? Do you enjoy basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, or baseball? You can get involved by coaching at the local YMCA. Our local youth need businesses to be part of their mentoring. You know it takes a village….I am a Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Past Director of the Montgomery County Fair Association.

So many non-profit organizations could use regularly scheduled assistance or just one time for a special event. There are websites available to explore your strengths- VolunteerMatch and HelpOurCounty are both specific to our community. Have you ever considered joining a service organization? Kiwanis, the Lions Club, and Rotary all have chapters in The Woodlands, Conroe, Willis, and Magnolia areas of Montgomery County. I’m a member of The Woodlands Lions Club  and we have meetings every 2nd and 4th  Thursday at noon at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Come be my guest for any meeting!

And not be missed is joining the local Chamber of Commerce. There are seven throughout the county-Conroe/Lake Conroe, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery, Greater East Montgomery County, and Magnolia Parkway. I’m a member of The Woodlands Chamber and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce and love the networking opportunity they provide. If you want to connect business to business this is the place to make it happen.

Get Involved!

Once you decide what pulls at your heart it will be easy to get in the cycle to network, volunteer, and add value to all your new relationships. If you want to get connected in the community you have to make the effort to expand your environment.

Relationships are a big part of the community and business. You grow relationships and learn new things by getting involved.  I do a better job of helping my clients by growing my relationship with them first. Let’s chat and get to know each other! Email me.