Are you feeling like you lack a community?

Do you want to give back? 

Are you ready to give more than just your money? 

Feeling disconnected? 

Volunteering may be the solution. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know to get started.  

What is volunteering? 

Definition 

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or group freely gives time "to benefit another person, group or organization"

Origin 

The word originated in the late 16th century (as a noun, with military reference): from French volontaire ‘voluntary’. 

 

Why should I volunteer?

 Volunteering can be extremely rewarding, providing numerous benefits including: 

• connecting you to others
• improving your mental health
• improving your physical health
• helping you advance your career 

Volunteering and connectedness 

 Actively working to improve the world through volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share your desire to give back and make a difference. 

Working side by side provides a natural opportunity to get to know new people and the shared experience creates fertile common ground to help nurture new friendships. 

The experience can also serve as an opportunity to build social skills that can then be used to build new relationships in other settings.

 

Volunteering and mental health 

 

Volunteering can help to improve mental health in a number of ways by helping to: 

• fend off depression
• reduce stress
• provide a sense of purpose
• build confidence
• increase happiness 

Volunteering and depression

 

By providing a sense of accomplishment while simultaneously distracting your mind from negative thinking and critical self-talk, volunteering helps to fight off depression. 

Volunteering and stress 

Engagement in meaningful activity helps to shift our mental focus away from the worrisome day to day challenges that fuel stress in our lives. 

The more engaging the experience, the more significant the reduction in stress. 

Volunteering and our sense of purpose

 

Research has shown that a strong sense of purpose in life is associated with greater life satisfaction at all stages of life.

That is great, but we all feel adrift and purposeless at one time or another, how does volunteering provide a sense of purpose?

A recent study has shown that four fundamental experiences that increase our sense of purpose in life: 

1. mental and physical well being

2. recognition and belonging

3. personally treasured activities

4. connectedness and spiritual closeness 

By providing an opportunity to actively work with new people, take on new roles, help others, receive recognition, and improve our communities, volunteering incorporates these four key experiences into our lives and nurtures our sense of purpose. 

Volunteering and confidence

 

Volunteering provides an opportunity to build self-confidence by: 

• creating a positive new role of volunteer to use as a source of pride and identity
• providing a sense of accomplishment
• increasing self-esteem
• cultivating a positive mindset 

The self-confidence nurtured by volunteering can carry into the rest of your life to drive future accomplishment. 

Volunteering and happiness

 

The overall impact of the myriad mental health benefits of volunteering is that volunteers are generally happier than those that do not volunteer. 

Makes sense, right?  Less depression and less stress in conjunction with more confidence and an increased sense of purpose equals greater overall happiness.

 

Volunteering and physical health

 

In addition to the benefits to your mental health, volunteering can benefit your physical health as well. 

Overall health 

 

Researchers report that volunteers have reported better general health and have identified more positive changes in perceived health than those that do not volunteer. 

Longevity 

 

A large scale longitudinal study of aging, even when adjusted to consider other health factors, showed a strong association between delayed mortality and volunteerism. 

In other words, if you volunteer, you increase your chances of living longer. 

Volunteering and career advancement

 

In a competitive job market, any edge can be helpful in realizing your career goals and volunteering can be an excellent way to get what you need to take your career to the next level.

 Career benefits offered by volunteering include: 

• skill building
• network expansion
• leadership opportunities
• resume building 

Volunteering to build skills

 

Building marketable skills is an excellent way to advance your career, but it can be difficult to find opportunities to safely learn new skills in the workplace. 

Volunteering can be a way to develop and apply new skills in a safe environment where mistakes won't negatively impact your reputation with your employer, colleagues, and subordinates.

Skills that can be learned through volunteering include: 

• project management
• construction
• technology
• graphic design
• communications
• public relations 

Volunteering to expand your network

 

According to Matt Youngquist, president of Career Horizons, at least 70% of job openings are never posted and can only be accessed via networking. 

By expanding your network, you increase your access to those hidden jobs that require an inside track to land. 

Even if you have a great network in your industry or field, you may be missing out on opportunities to expand into new fields or explore new industries. 

Volunteering offers an opportunity to meet and connect with people outside of your usual network. These connections can help you expand your career in new directions you may not have even considered. 

Volunteering and leadership opportunities

 

Leadership skills are highly prized in the workplace, but they can be difficult to acquire and develop without practice. 

It's the same old story, employers want you to have leadership experience, but they don't want to give you the opportunity to lead and gain experience. 

Volunteering can offer you the opportunity to hone your leadership skills in a low-pressure environment where you can take risks and try out new approaches without damaging your professional reputation. 

Volunteering and resume building 

Your resume is still the most important document in your career journey.

 As the culmination of your professional experience, education, and skills, your resume is your introduction to a potential employer and can make the difference between a call for an interview and a politely worded no-thank-you email.

Volunteering is a useful opportunity to grow your resume with new skills, leadership experience, and references.

To get the most benefit, target volunteering opportunities that bolster weak areas in your current resume that are holding you back. 

How to choose a volunteer opportunity 

To gain the most benefit from volunteering, it is important to put time and consideration into choosing where to volunteer your time and energy.

Factors to consider when choosing a volunteering opportunity include your:

• passions
• interests
• skill set
• location
• available time 

Volunteering and your passions

 

Now is the time for introspection. 

Do you have any causes that you are passionate about? Now is the time to do something. 

Volunteering will definitely be more personally rewarding if your actions can help address an issue you feel strongly about. 

Volunteering and your interests 

Is there a topic you are interested in learning more about? 

Volunteering is an excellent way to embrace your interests and learn more about them.

Want to know more about wildlife? Volunteer to help at a wildlife rescue or sanctuary.

Interested in ecology and the environment? Volunteer to help with an environmental research project.

Want to learn carpentry skills? Volunteer for a home building project.

You get the idea. 

Volunteering and your skills 

Do you have specific skills to offer?

Non-profit organizations are always on the lookout for skilled professionals willing to donate expensive expertise and assistance to help improve the organization.

 In demand skills include: 

• graphic design
• copy writing
• legal 
• finance
• public relations
• web development 

Volunteering and location

 

It is important to take the location of the volunteer opportunity into consideration when making your choice. 

While it may be tempting to rationalize an hour commute to get to the volunteer job site, that drive will add an extra two hours to your commitment and could burn you out before you or the organization realize the full benefit of your contribution. 

Keeping it close to home will make it easier to stay engaged in the work. 

Volunteering and availability

 

When beginning to volunteer, it is essential that you take care to honestly assess how much time you are willing to commit to your philanthropic efforts.

It may be tempting to jump in with both feet and make a major commitment, but it is important to understand that it is better to start small.

Over-committing can turn a rewarding growth opportunity into an onerous chore that will ultimately lead to burn out and disengagement.

 

What is expected of me when I volunteer?

 

Doing almost anything for the first time can be a little stressful.

Knowing what is expected of you as you take on a new volunteer role can help you to prepare for the new experience and ease your mind.

The following guidelines will help ensure you meet the expectations of the project organizers and make a positive contribution. 

Be on time

Project organizers have many challenges and getting everybody in the same place at the same time is fundamental to success.  

It is important to respect the project and try to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to ensure you are ready to go at the officially scheduled time for the project. 

Dress appropriately

 

Different projects have different requirements, the key is to dress appropriately for the task.

If requirements are unclear, reach out to event organizers in advance for recommended attire for the project.

Expect to wear clothing to designate your role and affiliation. 

Use any protective equipment specified by project organizers. 

Follow the rules 

Every project has processes, procedures, and rules that have been established by organizers to ensure success. 

Be sure to follow the instructions you receive from the project leader to the best of your ability. 

If you are confused or uncertain, reach out to the project leader for clarification. 

Do your best 

 

Now this may seem like a no-brainer, you always do your best, right? 

Just remember that the work you are doing is important and necessary and be motivated to bring your best to the task at hand, no matter how simple or menial. 

Get along with the team 

Team members that can't get along and work together can throw sand in the gears of a project and block important work. 

Bring your most tolerant, least opinionated self when you volunteer and keep small talk bland and avoid conversational hot buttons like politics, religion, and money. 

Communicate 

 

Lack of communication leads to misunderstanding and potentially to mistakes and/or conflict. 

Be committed to communication and do your best to understand and be understood. 

Don't be afraid to speak up and ask questions when necessary. 

Use discretion 

 

If you are provided access to sensitive information, exercise discretion and don't share information outside the guidelines of the project. 

Be flexible 

Be prepared to take on whatever task you are asked to perform. 

Some jobs may look more fun than others, but every task is an important part of the project and you should be prepared to do what needs to be done with a positive attitude. 

Conclusion 

 

So now you know what volunteering is and isn't and understand the benefits of volunteering. 

You know what to look for when choosing an opportunity to volunteer and what is expected of you when you arrive. 

Now is the time to take what you've learned and be a giver.