Big Brothers Big Sisters or other volunteer organizations?

[WiltOnTilt]

The title basically says it, but I'm looking for information/experiences from anyone who has been involved in this or other volunteer organizations either as a Big Brother/Sister or as someone who was the "Little" Brother/sister.

Being an online poker pro, I don't get out of the house much, and I think I should start volunteering to help out people less fortunate.

Admittedly, there is also some self interest involved. I was in software consulting for several years before I "turned pro" and I'm somewhat concerned that it might be tough to get back in after a 6 month+ hole in my resume...so I thought at least if I did some volunteer work, I could spin my "poker pro career" as a time where I took time away from the 9-5 grind to travel and help out other people (in an effort to show the anti-gambling crowd that I'm not some lazy scum bag).

If it makes a difference, I just turned 26 years old and I've been out of software consulting for about 2 months now. The money from poker is going to be tough to give up, but I don't want to completely lose out on my "real career" as I'm getting married this summer and kids are probably 2-3 years away.

Thanks,
KoW

[Skoob]

Be a Big Brother.

Committment: 2-4 hours per week.
Result: Make a huge positive impact on a young boy's life.

You don't have to be cool or a good role model, just be there for the kid.

[XXXNoahXXX]

Do Big Brother in addition to something else. Big Brother is literally a couple hours once every week or two and all you are doing is taking a kid to dinner, movies, sports games, so its not exactly work.

Then find another charity for another day a week.

[Wes Mantooth]

I looked into Big Brother Big Sisters program not too long ago and they mentioned that the greatest need for them is men volunteers for the Big Brother program. They are looking for volunteers 20 years old or older.

[WiltOnTilt]

Do you guys think they would frown upon me being a professional poker player?

[mattw]

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Do you guys think they would frown upon me being a professional poker player?

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of course they would. they are looking for good role models. pro poker players are not seen by the majority of society as good models.

go for it, add some other organizations, and never mention poker in interviews. you're a self employed programmer.

[nate_b_17]

I'm involved with a Big Brothers program called "lunch buddies". A few of us from work go to an elementary school once a week in a less than desirable part of town to have lunch with a 1st-3rd grader. They get to sit at a special table with the others in the program and eat lunch first.

Very rewarding program and i'm considering becoming a "big" in the traditional out-of-school program.

[She]

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Do you guys think they would frown upon me being a professional poker player?

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It probably depends on the person. When I went in for an interview, I told the girl that was interviewing me that poker was one of my hobbies and she wrote down "cards" just to be on the safe side.

[jalexand42]

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Do you guys think they would frown upon me being a professional poker player?

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They'll probably frown on your heavy drug use too....