The Nonprofit FAQ

Why should I volunteer?

>From VOLUNTEERING...EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES! at http://supernova.uwindsor.ca/~cooper/file8.html Why do people volunteer? In the past, it was thought that individuals volunteered strictly for altruistic reasons. However, recent studies have indicated that there may be other reasons, including: CAREER - to build your resume; to develop skills or to learn new skills; to make career contacts ESTEEM - to feel better about yourself; to feel needed and feel like you are making a contribution SOCIAL - to act in a socially desired way (ie) helping those less fortunate VALUE - to allow you to act on deeply held beliefs about the importance of helping others PROTECTIVE - to relieve yourself of unpleasant feelings like loneliness and guilt UNDERSTANDING - to better understand the people and organization you serve; to better understand yourself ------- Susan Ellis said on ADVICE on Impact Online at http://www.impactonline.org/advice/why.html Why Volunteer? by Susan J. Ellis of Energize, Inc. People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. But it's also OK to want some benefits for yourself from volunteering. Some people are uncomfortable with the notion that a volunteer "benefits" from doing volunteer There is a long tradition of seeing volunteering as a form of charity, based on altruism and selflessness. The best volunteering does involve the desire to serve others, but this does not exclude other motivations, as well. Instead of considering volunteering as something you do for people who are not as fortunate yourself, begin to think of it as an exchange. Consider that most people find themselves in need at some point in their lives. So today you may be the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort. Even now you might be on both sides of the service cycle: maybe you are a tutor for someone who can't read, while last month the volunteer ambulance corps rushed you to the emergency room. Volunteering also includes "self-help." So if you are active in your neighborhood crime watch, your home is protected while you protect your neighbors' homes, too. Adding your effort to the work of others makes everyone's lives better. Copyright Energize, Inc., used by permission. Copyright © 1996 Impact Online, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.