Why Volunteer

Volunteering may be described as giving your time and energy freely and by choice without concern for financial gain. It can describe hundreds of different activities that people choose to do to benefit or support others in the community.

The word “volunteering” is used for a range of activities, such as community service, self-help, charity, neighbourliness, citizenship, public service, community action, community involvement, trustee, member, and helper.

There are many reasons why someone decides to make time to volunteer. The catalysts may be personal, professional, community or society driven. Motivation trends change and evolve over time.

It is important for individuals, non-profit organizations and volunteer centres to understand what motivates volunteers, because this affects the success of the future mutual experience. Motivations determine how, why, when and where volunteers are most fulfilled, and are therefore most effective in their chosen voluntary positions. A positive volunteer experience leads in turn to the success of community services and programs.

Individuals (and groups) volunteer to:

• experience personal growth, learning and satisfaction;
• pursue professional growth and development;
• create employment skills;
• expand his/her professional network;
• enjoy social interaction/meet new people;
• master a new language;
• learn about a new society, country or community;
• fulfill a sense of empathy/connection with a cause;
• be a part of positive change in their community;
• have fun;
• build personal empowerment and self-esteem;
• instill the values of giving and caring;  and
• complete education or work-experience requirements;

People may not realize that volunteering can improve their own health. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, to develop new skills and abilities, attain valuable employment experience, and to broaden one's perspective. It also improves quality of life and the health of communities.

Whatever your age, interests or background, whether you can commit regularly or occasionally, there is likely to be something suitable for you. There are opportunities to volunteer in a wide variety of settings (for example, out-of-doors, in community centres or care homes, offices, or your own home), and you can take part in many different activities, such as fundraising, sports, befriending people, administrative work, or practical help and support to children, young or older people.

What you do as a volunteer depends on what you want to achieve. Everyone has a personal reason for volunteering, and you should choose something that will help you fulfil your personal goal.

Yes. Volunteering is so much a part of society that it is often easier to describe the difference that volunteers make by imagining a society where no one volunteered:

• social and leisure activities would be significantly affected, as there would be no rugby matches, sporting events or athletics, no Formula One motor racing or Olympic Games without the input of volunteer coaches,  organizers and marshals;
• there would be no music events, pop concerts, or festivals without volunteer fundraisers, organizers or St John's Ambulance volunteers;
• there would be little medical research or advice and support to people with specific problems;
• much of the landscape, wildlife and areas of natural beauty would suffer neglect; and
• many older, disabled and vulnerable people would be isolated and lonely.

As a volunteer you can have a real impact on peoples' lives and the community around you, as well as making your own life more fulfilled and rewarding.

An organization can expect a volunteer to:

1. choose an organization the volunteer can respect. The volunteer's values need to match the organization's mandate;
2. accept a volunteer position that the volunteer believes in and feels will meet his/her skills, interests and available time;
3. ensure that the volunteer understands and adheres to the organization's mission, policies and procedures;
4. know that the volunteer will ask for additional information and/or training as needed. To be effective the volunteer needs to fulfill work assignments using policy and procedure guidelines
5. give and take constructive feedback. Co-operate with organization staff to improve the success/effectiveness of the service/program provided;
6. work as a team member within the boundaries of the volunteer position. Understand the function of paid staff. Treat staff and volunteers with respect
7. respect the confidentiality of client records and the personal information of volunteers, staff and service recipients;
8. provide service to the public with care, dignity and respect;
9. to be dependable, prompt, honest, patient and flexible; and
10. to be an invaluable source of caring, compassion and motivation.

For more details on volunteering and reasons for volunteering, please visit:

• Youth Canada - Volunteer Work
• National Capital Commission - Volunteer centre
• Volunteer Canada