When was the last time you volunteered? How was your experience? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says “26.8% of the population volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2008 and September 2009.”
Volunteering in America has some more interesting statistics. In 2009, each resident volunteered an average of 34.4 hours over the course of one year, with the most common activity being fundraising, followed by food collection and distribution. Funny how that works: money first, food second.
Since I’ve been volunteering almost every weekend at a community garden, I’ve experienced some real personal benefits. I’m learning a new skill – organic gardening, contributing to my community, meeting new and diverse people, getting some exercise, and making a positive impact. All of these things give me a greater sense of empowerment, personal satisfaction, and happiness.
If you write about personal development, you know that action is the key to progress. You can talk about making progress as much as you want, but without taking that first step, you’re stuck in the same place.
The same can be said for creating positive social change. I can write and talk about how badly I want social change to happen, but if I, the vocal advocate for a better world, don’t actively engage in making progress, how can I expect it to come about?
That is why I have been volunteering, as it is one path to a more eco-friendly, local, and vibrant community.
But so far I have been loosely committed. While also considering the low national participation in volunteering, I’ve decided to step up my commitment. I am officially beginning a 16 hour volunteer challenge, where I commit to 4 hours a week of volunteering. I have already volunteered about 16 hours over the past two months, so this would simply be a step forward. If I continued this for one year, I will have contributed 192 hours, which is 5.6 times more than average.
Many of you gracious and generous people are already volunteering much of your time, or working in a field that enhances communities. But most Americans are not accustomed to regular volunteering. Instead of your regular Saturday routine, in the spirit of my personal step forward, I challenge you to give 2 hours of your time to a cause of your choice.
Laid off, unemployed, need a job? Consider taking 6 months or more to volunteer with an organization such as AmeriCorps. Or spend some time interning on an organic farm, via WWOOF. It will be a great way to find shelter from the recession, learn new skills, become a community leader, and make new friends.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of volunteering:
- Contribute value to your community
- Gain new experiences
- Meet new, diverse people, possibly to network with
- Learn and develop a new skill
- It looks good on your resume
- Explore new potential career fields
- Combat depression
- All of these benefits can grant you a sense of empowerment.
I also have some exciting news: I will be participating in the Fall 2010 Gardening and Composting Educator Training Program, hosted by Garden for the Environment. Every Saturday and Wednesday I will be learning about techniques and concepts in organic gardening and agriculture, community food systems, as well as food security. I will also be engaged in a 50-hour community outreach project. This will fulfill my volunteer challenge. After the program, I will still commit to volunteer for 4 hours a week.
I don’t mean to seem like I’m ‘cheating’ in any way by using this education program as volunteer hours. Though it is educational, it is oriented towards community engagement and enhancement. I will be training to become a community educator, spreading the love of organic gardening. The community outreach project will also directly benefit the local food community in some way.
The goal of the volunteer challenge is to foster community engagement and connection, so my educational project would fit that bill.
Until this program starts, I will be committed to volunteering 4 hours a week. I will be mostly focused on community gardening, but may branch out to serve the local food bank as well.
If you want to get acquainted with the environment, choose an environmental organization. If you are more inclined to help with social services, by all means go for it. All good is interconnected, in my mind. A sustainable world is also defined by social justice.
Awesome challenge, Lynn! And congrats on your acceptance into the Gardening and Composting Educator Program. That just sounds amazing.
In my experience, growing food is one of the BEST ways of engaging Life in all its awesomeness. Such power in a tiny seed. Such a vehicle for bringing together people and ideas.
It doesn’t have to be a huge garden — even a few pots on your patio or deck or windowsill will do. The process of nuturing this Life and then partaking in its bounty just keeps it real.
Be well!
Thanks, Bill! I agree, growing food is one of the best ways to get connected with life and nature! One plant is enough to see the miracle of soil and life.
I’m very inspired by your volunteer challenge, Lynn. I don’t think combining volunteering with self-education is cheating at all! It’s a great way to develop new skills so you contribute even more skillfully to your environment. Thanks for sharing all the tremendous benefits you find in volunteering.
I’m actually impressed by the amount of time that American’s do actually volunteer. As a former non-profit direction, I know so well that the very heart and soul of most non-profits only beats vibrantly due to the generosity of volunteers.
Thanks, Sandra! Yes, it is nice to know that American do volunteer.
What a great post Lynn! It is so important to give to others in any way we can. I am impressed by your 16 hour challenge-keep us posted. It is difficult for most to dedicate a consistent amount of time each week. It’s always refreshing to see how many people are truly generous-as Sandra said many organizations continue to thrive due to the generosity of others.
I continually try to get my children involved so they can learn from a young age that it is important to give to others. I am always looking for new ideas and age appropriate activities.
Thanks, Lori! I will keep you posted on my volunteer pursuits. That’s great you’re introducing your children early, I think they will be much more likely to give service as adults.
Definitely a great post, Lynn. This is one of those things that I always think about doing but never follow through with. It’s something I need to get working on!
I’d love if there was an organic gardening organization around here but I have yet to find one. The program you’re joining sounds awesome! Good luck!
Thanks, Vanessa! I know how tough it can be to get yourself to volunteer. I signed up for a few listservs to organizations I was interested in – beach cleanup, community garden/farm, and just kept trying to make the dates. Just a few months ago, before I really got into the groove of volunteering, I was on a few listservs, and pumped about going to beach cleanups, but then the night before I would totally lose motivation, or something else would come up.
I just kept trying. Now that I’ve been volunteering more regularly, it’s easier to go, and I really feel it if I don’t end up going. My body now loves the garden and craves the experience, so I feel lackluster if I don’t go to garden.
Also, it’s really important that you ENJOY the activity. If you absolutely HATE picking up trash, you won’t want to volunteer for a beach cleanup or street cleanup. Instead, do something else like play with rabbits in a shelter, or work at a science museum.
Thanks for your comment, I’ll keep you posted on my pursuit!
I’ve never volunteered, but that’s going to change when I get back to the States! I’m definitely going to try WWOOF one of these days and I’m also really interested in becoming a Volunteer Search & Rescue.
I think we should all be as prepared for any situation as we can be, with as many practical skills as possible (farming and growing our own food being one of them!). I think volunteering is an excellent way to pick up such skills.
Hi Raam, you are doing great work in Nepal right now! It should be easy for you to volunteer when you get back :] Thanks for your thoughtful comments!