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Newsletter
Lead Article
Why Do People
Volunteer?
People volunteer for many reasons, sometimes
altruism, sometimes personal, but always for a purpose. We need to understand
that purpose in order to attract and retain the volunteer. For many it's a way
of giving back. You will hear volunteers say, "My mother received excellent
care in this hospital and I want to repay some of that kindness." Another
volunteer will say, "When I was growing up, there was a Boy Scout leader who
made a difference in my life, and I want to be one of those who makes a
difference to a young boy." The concept of giving back is strong in most
volunteers' minds.
Many volunteers will tell you that they want to
meet people. They are new to the neighborhood, have been home raising children,
or haven't met the kind of people they would like to have as good friends. Do
you remember the old days? You would move into a new neighborhood and out came
the welcome wagon, neighbors brought over bread and cookies, and you stood
talking to these people for hours. Where are these people today? They are
probably still there, but like us, they are working two jobs and raising
households. Time is the most precious commodity among all of us.
Other people are looking to learn new skills. They are looking for skills that
they can use in the workplace or to enhance their job possibilities. They will
ask you about the possibility of working with your agency's computer and e-mail
system. Many people, who having been home raising the kids, feel out of touch
with the technology of today's business world. E-mail, web sites, computer
operating systems, networks, these are all a foreign language and they are
looking to help and learn at the same time.
Some people are looking
for relationships. They want to meet the kind of people that they can share
time enjoying the same kinds of interests. Many people today are alone and
lonely. Where do you make these kinds of close, meaningful relationships with
people like you? For some, it's at a gym, for others it's in the workplace, but
for many it's the volunteer setting.
Sometimes volunteers are looking
for a connection. For the parent, he/she gets to know the teacher on a
first-name basis and feels free to ask about homework assignments and might
even learn how to do that new math! For the teacher, the parent volunteers are
a wonderful connection with the community outside their classroom. It brings
support from the parents and from the business community. It's sometimes easy
to forget that these moms and dads are the business community. And they have a
strong interest in making that classroom prosper.
Some volunteers are
there to spy! Truly, and I say this with love. People sometimes volunteer to
gain an insight into an organization. Parents might be curious about what
really goes on inside today's schools. Citizens wonder about the functioning of
city hall. A volunteer wonders if a career in healthcare might be an option,
and volunteers to see how it feels for him/her. Just as people volunteer to
gain workplace experience, people volunteer to assess the environment and see
if it fits them.
Some volunteers are looking for a job! Watch out, it
may be yours! I am teasing, but in reality, many volunteer coordinators started
as volunteers in a place similar to where they are now paid staff members.
Other volunteers are career sampling, trying a workplace on for size. Police
Explorer Scouts are young people trying to find out if a law enforcement career
might be for them. Many volunteer firefighters are searching for a paid
firefighter position, and many fire departments are open about the fact that
they try out new candidates as volunteers.
Some people are looking for
a place where they can use those skills and talents that they have developed in
the paid workplace. Many people today are frustrated in their paid jobs because
they are not given much opportunity to try different things or to make
decisions. They are ready to jump into volunteer leadership roles and would
find the chance to be refreshing. The lack of promotion in their paid job
allows them to search for ways to move ahead in your volunteer environment.
Some folks are just looking for some fun! One of the frustrating things to
me is how little lightness and outright fun is to be found at many volunteer
places. Remember that many people work all week long without having a good
time. This should never happen in the volunteer setting. It is okay, in fact it
should be standard that the volunteer place be a fun environment to work in.
Yes, we can really enjoy what we do even if the work is serious and
meaningful.
We have just touched on a few of the hundreds of reasons
why people start their volunteer careers. The important thing to remember is to
ask the volunteer why he/she is volunteering. And listen.
Past Articles
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