About Carly Sother...
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Degree Objective:Anthropology and Environmental Studies
Expected Date of Graduation: Spring 2008
Current Volunteer Activities:College of Charleston Recycling Committee-a few dedicated members including myself set aside at least one hour a week to go around campus conducting “dumpster dives.” But we aren’t looking
for trash; we dig for recyclables and place them in the correctly designated bins. It’s a dirty job and we’re the ones willing to do it. Also during the basketball season I was present at many of the games with recycling bin in hand promoting campus recycling and the current Recyclemania competition that the college had entered into. I would stay
after the games collecting all the abandoned bottles and cans to make sure none were left behind.
What are you most proud of contributing to your organization? In and of itself I am proud to be a member of the few dedicated campus recyclers. Our efforts not only make a difference in the environment of CofC’s campus, but also of the city of Charleston and ultimately the whole
world. I am proud of the amount of time I dedicate to recycling and the looking after of our environment.
Previous Volunteer Activities:Conservation Volunteers Australia-last semester I studied abroad in
Perth, Australia and volunteered for CVA; Lowcountry Oyster Roast at Boone Hall-spent the whole afternoon with
trash bags in hand collecting recyclables by digging through the numerous trash cans. Also managed the recycling of the oyster shells; Keep Charleston Beautiful-took part in the recycling of the colossal amount of water bottles from the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Also picked up all the trash to keep Marion Square clean and healthy; LEEP-helped execute a 100 percent waste free oyster roast to benefit the
Lowcountry Environmental Education Program.
What do you enjoy about community service? I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with the selfless act of volunteering. In my experience with doing recycle dives on campus I have thoroughly enjoyed the reactions of the students. More often than not they are in complete disbelief that one I would pick through the trash to retrieve recyclables and two that I am
doing this voluntarily. However, what is rewarding about these reactions is that I am causing the onlookers to think about their own actions or lack of action towards recycling.
How do your friends/co-workers describe you?Hippie and tree-hugger tend to be the most common descriptions. But under the surface I know they would comment on my motivation and dedication towards saving the environment.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering?What is there to think about? Volunteering is donating time that people would most likely otherwise waste on selfish acts. So why not put this time to good use?
Anything else you would like to add? Yes. Volunteering is not just about helping out a certain organization or a special event. I believe that volunteering is an attitude towards your personal role in this world. It is knowing that you are only a small part of the whole and your actions affect all the other interconnected parts. It is about a continuous consciousness that opportunities exist for you to make a difference. It
is a dedicated volunteer who recognizes these opportunities and acts on them every chance he gets. Whether it be picking up trash on your way to class or giving your sandwich to a homeless person, volunteering is acting in a global perspective by seeing yourself as a tool towards creating a better world.

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