Why Do People Volunteer?

Having volunteered with a variety of organizations and causes for the past 30 years (yikes!), I feel confident in helping others learn why some volunteer and others do not. Helping others usually is the prevalent theme during the year-end holiday season. What about the remaining year, though? There are ample opportunities to volunteer that help a multitude of others. So, why do people volunteer? There seems to be a variety of reasons:

Sometimes people volunteer because they feel something is lacking in their life. They feel that there has to be more to life than "me, me". This is usually the result of a life changing experience - such as the death of a close one. A good volunteer becomes involved simply because they want to help others. They do not want, nor expect, anything in return. The only thing they may want is a simple "thank you".

Sometimes people volunteer because they use their live experiences to help ease others afflictions. Life experiences make for great teaching tools. The volunteer wants to make someone else's life easier after having lived through it themselves. The cancer survivor making speeches a cancer support group is a great example of this.

Sometimes people volunteer because they were told it looks good on a resume. Too many times, I heard in college how important volunteering was on a resume. It gives the impression of caring, I was told. This is not a good reason. It, unfortunately, does happen. Volunteering must come from the heart and a sincere desire to help.

People volunteer simply because they are compassionate and put themselves into "other's shoes". This is the makings of a true volunteer. Compassion and caring are essential for good volunteering.

First of all, volunteering is not for everyone. Many a person has tried it and did not like it. It is not for the selfish, short tempered person. It is not for the impatient person. Volunteering is not for the glory seeker or publicity hound. (Forget the celebrities). There will be numerous frustrations. Literature may depict volunteering as the end all, but there will be many times the volunteer will want to throw in the towel. Sometimes it takes awhile for results to be seen. Sometimes one has to bite their tongue for the sake of the cause or less fortunate. Remember this - it is not an easy way out. Volunteering is work without pay. Every potential volunteer will benefit by knowing and remembering that. I have seen and heard far too many new volunteers gripe because 'the work' was not all fun and games. Get over it.

So, you have decided you want to volunteer but do not know where to start. First, look inward and find what gives you satisfaction. What are you hoping to accomplish? Do you want to help your community? Is it working with people that you like? Or, is it with animals? What cause do you believing in? There are so many organizations that would welcome your help. Go to your library to find a list of nonprofit organizations. They usually are broken down per category with contact information.

Once you have established an organization, What type of volunteering do you want to do? How will you become involved? For instance, do you want to be "hands on"? Do you want to be 'out in the fields'? Or, do you want to work in the administrative office? All organizations need someone in the office. Help out with fund raising, scheduling events, mailings, phones, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this.

Why do people volunteer? Perhaps to see the joy you have brought someone who could not help themselves. You may gain satisfaction in helping your favorite candidate win the election by being part of the electoral process. You may help an elderly, lonely person feel needed. Volunteering makes for good mental health. The list goes on and on.

Why do people volunteer? People volunteer so at the end of the day, their souls are enriched and their minds are peaceful. They do not think about it. It just happens. Volunteers can go to sleep knowing their work made someone else's life better. There is no better reward for why people volunteer.