Volunteering is giving and getting
Volunteering is not only good for those receiving your time and energy, but volunteering can also be good for you!
Research shows that generous people live healthier and happier lives. Live it up!
When considering volunteering, choose something personally fun and rewarding for you. Otherwise you will not likely continue to volunteer over time. Your motivation is your own and it is fine to expect something for yourself in return.
By volunteering, you may gain in many ways.
- Get to meet new friends.
- Meet community and business contacts.
- Develop personal, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Experience a change from your daily routine. Have some fun.
- Learn new things. Challenge yourself.
- Enrich your CV. Build your experiences.
- Gain recognition. Build your profile and reputation.
Volunteering allows you to
- To share your talents. Help others. Be a part of the solution. Live up to your civic duty.
- Feel proud. Feel good inside knowing you are making a difference.
Considering your choices
- What charitable causes interest you (kids, animals, health, environment, seniors, sports, politics, performing arts, homeless)?
- What do you personally want to experience or get from volunteering (change of pace, to learn, meet others, and so on).
- What amount of time can you offer, when, and for how long into the future. How much time and energy can you reliably commit?
- What skills do you have? Are you good at organizing, listening to others, fund-raising, physical labour, teaching/coaching?
Reach out
- Ask others what they are involved in and if they can connect you.
- Check the internet for organizations in your community.
- Call on some interested charitable organizations and ask if they need volunteers.
Grab a friend. Perhaps consider a volunteer circle with several friends, neighbours, or work colleagues all working together to support one needy cause. Volunteering should be a pleasurable, fun, social, and rewarding endeavor.
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