Volunteering – Getting More Than You Give

“Volunteerism – the policy or practice of volunteering one’s time or talents for charitable, educational, or other worthwhile activities, especially in one’s community” – that’s what volunteerism is all about according to the dictionary. What happens, however, when we take the ‘worthwhile’ out of ‘worthwhile activities’? The Ph.D. student in sociology and volunteer Ian Breckenridge-Jackson asked the same question in his presentation ‘Getting More Than We Give – Realities of Volunteerism’.

Back in 2006, Ian became one of the many tourist volunteers who went to New Orleans with the plan to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. However, it turned out that volunteering turned out quite different than what he expected. Instead of helping the victims settle back in their homes in the historical neighbourhood Lower Ninth Ward, Ian and the other volunteers had the task to demolish what’s left of their houses, leaving people to wait for the government to rebuild it and give them some financial help.

This experience changed Ian’s life. Expecting to go and give his time and efforts to the people, he ended up getting a free trip to New Orleans, an award, a valuable entry in his CV, recognition and the feeling that he did something good. This volunteering experience completely changed Ian’s life. The simple calculations he made helped him see that volunteer tourists, although driven by good will, are mostly a waste of time and money.

Ian found out that if the funds used to get volunteers to New Orleans was used to build new houses instead, it would have been enough to rebuild a neighbourhood twice the size of Lower Ninth Ward (for reference, so far only about 1/5 of the houses in the neighbourhood have been rebuilt). So Ian decided to contribute to the victims in a different way. Firstly, he partnered with another volunteer – Caroline Heldman – and together they co-founded the Lower Ninth Ward Museum where everyone can go for free and learn the story of the neighbourhood’s inhabitants. Secondly, he focussed his Ph.D. dissertation on the impact of volunteers who flocked to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

And while we are waiting for the results of Ian’s dissertation, we can’t help ask ourselves some of the questions bothering him. When is volunteerism turning into a pointless and even a detrimental activity? Before taking part in a volunteer project, you need to find out if your efforts will actually help someone. Volunteerism exists to help people in need, but it often takes an unfortunate turn which helps no-one. There is nothing bad in getting something back from volunteer work – experience, new friends, new connections, knowledge etc., however, for it to be worthwhile, you need to give more than you get.

Ian is not the first one to doubt the usefulness of volunteer tourists. Many specialists are of the opinion that a worthy cause could do better to invest the money for volunteer tourists in local specialists and companies (depending on the situation), who will be able to do much more for the people in need than those coming from all over the world. Some people even think that volunteer tourism is becoming a whimsy, a sort of amusement for some people.

We know it is the volunteers, not the tourists, devoting their time and efforts with good intentions. However, before you choose a cause to volunteer for, ask yourself what you will be doing, why you will be doing it and who you are really helping. If the answers to these three questions are satisfactory – go for it! If not, maybe you should consider another cause or project.

Good luck! 

Lessons From Geese

This is a popular story across the internet and it’s easy to see why. I’m not alone when I say that the animal world has a lot to teach us if we just pay attention. This story is filled with lessons which apply to the way we work in teams and particularly as volunteers for not for profit organisations. Sometimes it seems as though our voice is the only one trying to bring attention to the cause but, as you read this, you will realise that you’re not alone, and your team is with you. Learn how to work with it for better results.

Lessons from Geese

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird behind it. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down. They stay with the goose to help and protect it until it is able to fly again or it dies. Then they launch out with another formation to catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other.

Whenever a goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging - not something less than helpful.

Now that you’ve read the lessons, take from them what you can. Volunteers are amazing people – you are an amazing person – so stick together like geese and move forward as one. You have more chance of being seen and heard if you fly together as one.

Why Do People Volunteer?

Although volunteering is a term dating back to the middle of the 18^th century, it is a thriving practice in the modern world. People all around the world volunteer for certain causes and events and a lot of charities and activities are constantly recruiting volunteers.

Have you ever wondered why people volunteer?

Certainly volunteering has a lot of advantages. For example, volunteers notice an increase in their self-esteem, feeling that they are doing something good and making a difference. Moreover, a lot of people volunteer to do things they like, which means that they are having some fun while doing it. It also brings them into the company of new friends and acquaintances who are connected by the commitment to the same good cause.

Of course, there are other reasons that make people volunteer. For example, volunteering is now widely recognised as a strong point on one’s resume, university or job application. Moreover, by participating in certain activities, volunteers develop various professional and personal skills that may come handy in their later life and career. Working in teams may also have benefits for the volunteers, improving their social skills and leadership qualities.

We should not forget that lots of the events recruiting volunteers aim to make the world a better place to live. This is surely a strong motivation for a lot of volunteers, who are up for bringing about social change and improving the world. Working for a charity or an organisation with a good cause certainly looks like a good way to spend your free time instead of wasting it.

Of course, there may also be other reasons why people volunteer; the reasons are different for everyone. When asked about why they participate, volunteers share various reasons; for example, because they were asked, because they wanted to impress someone, to relax or take their mind off of something or because they wanted to help people.

Volunteers are amazing people who make a significant difference to the world. Let’s make sure we appreciate them.

You Are Never Too Old To Volunteer

Walk into most op shops and you’ll be greeted by a woman in her ripened years. She’ll readily help you find what you need, rifling through boxes of clothes or sorting through kitchen utensils in her bid to assist.

 

It is a common perception that this job is restricted to ‘old ladies’ or, quite the opposite, that this is the only role these women can fulfil.

 

With 6.4 million people volunteering across Australia, it’s the Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) who do the most.

 

With more life and work experience than the younger generations, older people bring a range of skills that make them perfect to cover all manner of volunteer roles that are otherwise hard to fill.

 

Although hands on roles, such as volunteering at a local nursing home, community garden or Scout group feels more important, becoming a member on a community board is just as important. These board roles require different skill sets, from treasurer to fundraising and events coordinator, looking to make things happen or change the local community for the better.

Regardless of your skills you’ve developed over your lifetime, and whether you prefer hands on manual work, working with people, or managing the finances or ensuring the behind the scenes runs smoothly, your volunteering brings attributes organisations can’t access from the younger generations.

You have the power to change the world you’re living in for the better, and to leave a better community for younger generations.