Give yourself the gift of volunteering

“It is more rewarding to watch money change the world than watch it accumulate.” Gloria Steinem 

This time of year, the spirit of charity and goodwill to all fills the air. We are motivated to do something to help those in need, perhaps because we realize how easily we could become “a person in need,” perhaps because we appreciate what we have and want to show that appreciation by giving: of our time, our money, ourselves.

And the fascinating aspect of this giving is that we receive something in return. By doing for others, we give ourselves a gift as well. Giving is good for spirit — it renews us and makes us feel connected to those around us. 

If you are filled with the spirit of giving, but not sure what, where or how to give that spirit a tangible form, then the insights provided by Robert J. Rosenthal, this week’s guest expert, will provide some useful insights.

Rosenthal is the Director of Communications at VolunteerMatch, the Web’s largest and most popular volunteer network, and a frequent public speaker on volunteering, nonprofit organizations, and technology. His specialty is the intersection of communities, communications, and helping to get people inspired to make a difference. 

(For inspiring stories about volunteers, go to Volunteer Spotlight) 

Change Coach Nancy: Now more than ever it’s critical that non-profits and community organizations receive donations. But with less money to donate, people may be looking for other ways to help, such as volunteering their time. What should people keep in mind when considering volunteering?

Rosenthal: The most important things to think about when you're considering volunteering is how much time do you have available and what kind of activities would you like involved in. However, even the questions about time commitment is less important these days because there are so many different kinds of ways to volunteer. There are short-term half-day activities, 15-minute online activities, year-round volunteer board opportunities, and everything in between. So many varieties, in fact, that what really matters is how much time you have available… not whether there are opportunities available.

The other question is, What kinds of activities do you want to be involved in? It’s so important to really think about what kind of skills you have to offer and, of course, what kind of environment you want to be volunteering in. Do you want to do what you know best, or try something new? Do you want to work from home, or go to an office? How about going outdoors? We suggest people start with the idea of volunteering their skills. That's because the average hour of skilled volunteering is worth so much more than the average hour of an unskilled volunteer.

Change Coach Nancy: What are some of the benefits one receives from volunteering?

Rosenthal: The biggest benefit that comes from volunteering is that you feel like you're making a difference. There are so few opportunities in daily life to really get the feeling we are part of the solution. That we are reaching out to other people. That we are connecting in a meaningful way with institutions that support our communities. Studies show again and again that the sense of feeling like you're making a difference is the number one outstanding benefit people experience when they volunteer.

Of course, there are so many other secondary benefits too. The biggest have to do with other people. You can make new friends, you can develop professional contacts, and you can even fall in love while volunteering.

And let's not forget the professional benefits of volunteering: you can learn new skills. You can develop leadership skills. You can even network with people who may one day be able to hire you. Or you can meet folks who can recommend you to somebody who can hire you.

And did I happen to mention that volunteers are usually healthier as well? Studies show that people who volunteer report better health, better attitudes and a stronger sense of personal well-being than people who don't volunteer.

Change Coach Nancy: Are there volunteer opportunities for families as well as for adults? What are the benefits of engaging in volunteer work with family members (for instance, your children or parents)?

Rosenthal: There are definitely lots about opportunities to volunteer with families as well as other groups of adults. Our Advanced Search page at VolunteerMatch allows you to check off whether you’d like to be part of group, or if you’d like to volunteer with families or with kids.

Volunteering together as a family is a way to create a new tradition of giving back in a meaningful way that also brings the family together. How many opportunities do we have to do something together as a group with our families that also has a great benefit for society? It’s pretty clear that volunteering is a special activity.

Change Coach Nancy: What are some of the misconceptions people have about volunteering?

Rosenthal: There're so many misconceptions about volunteering! If I had a quarter every time I heard one — especially from reporters! — I would be a rich man. The biggest misconception about volunteering is that it's some form of old traditional activity… the kind of activity your grandparents or great-grandparents might've done when they volunteered. But just as every other facet of our lives have been transformed by technology and new ways of thinking over the last generation, so too has volunteering completely exploded. 

Today it really has very little in common with the old form of service. While there still are ways to volunteer to put together direct-mail pieces, lick envelopes, or sell flowers, at VolunteerMatch we also have more than 60,000 other opportunities that will blow your mind.

Change Coach Nancy: How can a potential volunteer determine where he/she would fit best in the organization (for example, out front vs. behind-the-scenes)?

Rosenthal: We actually have a great free web training that we now offer for volunteers to help them figure out where they fit in. The best way for a potential volunteer to determine where they will fit in an organization is to take a critical look at him or herself. What inspires you to help out? When are you at your best? What kind of work do you enjoy? How closely do you want to work with others? Do you want to feel like you are helping people, or the planet, or both?

Also, what causes do you care about? Volunteering organizations have missions, and that means that they are dedicated to changing the world some way. How would you like the world changed? Chances are, there are organizations that share your interests that also need volunteers.

Ultimately, knowing yourself is the first step to ensure a great fit. Smart organizations put the most relevant information into their VolunteerMatch listings. If you know what you are looking for, you'll find it in the listing, or if you don't, you move on to the next listing and see if it's there.

Change Coach Nancy: How does VolunteerMatch work?

Rosenthal: It's very simple. Just come to VolunteerMatch, type in a few words that indicate where you live and the kind of activity you want to be involved in, and you'll be surprised what results come through when you click the Submit button.

The secret sauce is the fact that more than 80,000 different nonprofit organizations are putting their listings into VolunteerMatch system throughout the year. That means the more you know what you're looking for, the more likely you have you'll find something that's going on right now.

Change Coach Nancy: What are some reasons (if any) why someone should not volunteer?

Rosenthal: You definitely shouldn't volunteer if you don't have time to volunteer or if you haven't asked yourself what kinds of volunteer activities do you want to get involved in. The worst thing you can do is leave an organization hanging when they've planned for your commitment. And the last thing you want to do is start a volunteer role under the pretense that you could learn how to do that work when in fact you didn’t have the required talents or skills to tackle it. 

Change Coach Nancy: What are the three key takeaways you want people to understand about volunteering?

Rosenthal: Well first: volunteering isn't what you thought it was. There are so many other ways to volunteer these days. 

Second: it's really easy to find something great. That's what happens when so many nonprofits are actively looking for people just like you. 

Third, know thyself. It really is the most important component of making sure you increase the odds of you having a great experience. If you don't know what you're looking for, you can't expect to find it. 

Finally VolunteerMatch really is where volunteer begins. Why not get started today?

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Thanks to so much to Robert Rosenthal for sharing his knowledge and advice on the value and importance of volunteering. This season, open your heart and find the time to make a difference — somewhere, somehow. 

Every little bit helps, and every act of generosity lights another dark corner of the world.