Volunteer Spotlight
Mindi Searle
What other organizations are you involved with?
I volunteer on the Good Will of Northern Illinois Board of Directors, and am a member of their HR Committee.
What inspires you to do what you do for CASA?
I understand the delicacies and challenges of childhood, regardless of your family background; and desire to support children who have need of intervention and someone to promote their best interests.
What do you do for fun?
Travel – domestic and international, reading, and supporting my daughter Cassidy in her high school and softball programs. This high school period is round two (and final) for me as her older sister, Jordan is now a wonderful role model and mother.
What is the best advice you have ever received?:
It’s actually from an ancient quote:
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it
It grounds me and allows me to forgive myself for mistakes and move on, continuing to grow and develop.
What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced?
Being an extremely introverted person in the profession of Human Resources. When I first started out in the profession, I had extreme feelings of not fitting the “perfect profile” of an HR person. Now, several years later with much experience behind me, I have actually embraced my introverted personality as it has served me well using my natural tendencies toward deep reflection and intuition. Basically it took time, but I now realize what we perceive as weaknesses may indeed be strengths if we treat them that way.
What is something people are surprised to learn about you?
That I’m a complete sci-fi nerd. I own every episode of the Star Trek Next Generation, Voyager and Deep Space Nine series and rotate through them frequently when exercising on the elliptical.
What do you like the bast about your job as a CASA?
Watching the children go from mistrusting to slowly comfortable, then to actively discussing their wants and needs.
What is the most difficult part of your job as a CASA ?
Seeing things unfold in a way I don’t think is best for the children, and the worry that the next situation they are put in may cause more difficulties than good. But fortunately I know that children are resilient and with CASA supporting them, they may feel stronger and more able to cope.
We train new advocates each spring and fall. For more information, call the Winnebago County CASA office at 815.319.6880.
