Overcoming “Couch Potato Syndrome” by helping others.
Summer is a time of the year that many charities see a downturn in donor giving. But summer is also a great time to give the gift of volunteer time to a local nonprofit . The time that volunteers give this year could make the difference between extending the work of that nonprofit to help others in the community or seeing their doors close. Volunteering is a core staple of American democracy and a key asset in solving some of today’s most pressing problems. The benefits of volunteering go beyond the community where the work is being done, however; it also affects the person providing the service. To summarize the conclusions of several studies, “Good health is preserved by volunteering; it keeps healthy volunteers healthy.” I
N THE U.S. VOLUNTEER
How do volunteers find the time to volunteer?
A 2008 report “Volunteering in America”, commissioned by the Corporation for National and Community Service researched how volunteers spend their time. Volunteers, on average, are about as busy as others, yet they make the time to serve others. In a typical day, the largest difference in how time is spent between recent volunteers is in how much television they each watch. Volunteers trade off more than an hour a day of TV watching, on average, to engage in service.
So how do Louisianans volunteer?
Louisiana has an average of 686,000 volunteers who dedicate 74.6 million hours of service per year. Annually, this provides an estimated economic contribution of $1.5 billion. More than 25,000 people participate in national service each year through 215 national service programs and projects across Louisiana.
Whether or not to volunteer is an intensely personal issue. People who feel a need to give back to their communities may face an overwhelming number of non-profit organizations who need their help. Where do you start and how do you determine where you can provide the best assistance? Regardless of where you begin your search for the appropriate forum for your volunteerism, remember that once you begin, your services will be depended upon. Choose your volunteer path wisely and reap the rewards that come with helping others and enriching your spirit.
Where to Volunteer
· Start with yourself or family members - have any of you received the services of a non-profit agency? Personal interest will create the greatest level of commitment in volunteerism.
· Where does your sympathy (empathy) lie? Homelessness, hunger, children's issues, domestic violence…most communities have one or more agencies that cater to these and other prevalent causes.
· Check with your place of work. Most corporations have established relationships with non-profit agencies and participate in special campaigns or projects. Volunteering through work can give you a no-risk opportunity to volunteer for a program without making a long-term commitment to a non-profit agency.
How to Volunteer
· Once you have determined which agency you wish to volunteer for, you need to let the organization know that you are available to help. Most non-profit organizations have a volunteer coordinator who can inform you of the volunteer opportunities available.
· Do you have special services or talents to offer? Non-profit agencies with physical locations often require the services of electricians, contractors, painters, plumbers, computer repair technicians, etc. Non-profits are required to do extensive mailings on a regular basis, so folding, labeling, stuffing are often required. Typing, data-input, and computer skills are always handy to have at a non-profit agency.
· Is your desire to help centered on dealing directly with the non-profit agency's clients? Volunteer training is frequently offered (or required) by the non-profit to ensure proper interaction with all agency clients.
Start small. Trying to resolve all the issues of your community in one action will lead to frustration and a sense of failure. Taking on a little bit at a time allows you to really determine where your interests and abilities to help lie. Have fun and know that you are making a difference in the lives of people in your community. Once you have committed to an agency, follow-through and be dependable. This is very important, one volunteer failing to meet commitment might not mean the end of the agency, but it can affect a client's ability to receive critical service.
This summer, give the gift of your time and talents to a nonprofit in your local community. It will help others and very likely – you.