The Fresh Look Editing 5 for September 2021
Being able to freely offer time and energy is a privilege not everyone has. Through that lens, volunteering is not an endeavour to be taken without thought. Volunteering often comes with the goal of enriching the lives of others, including our own in some way, so it’s important to maximize what we do to make a difference. In spite of its benefits, giving part of yourself isn’t always easy. Here are some tips on how you can make the most of the volunteering experience.
1. Chose an organization you believe in
When you make the choice to volunteer, it should be for meaningful reasons. Organizations you feel you identify with — either because of personal or professional interest, or both — will be a better fit than those you feel you “have to” volunteer for to gain a specific outcome. The organization doesn’t have to be large. Volunteering for a local group is a great way to give back to your community and get to know people in your area. Don’t be intimidated if you have an interest in volunteering for a national or international group, though. If you have aspirations of being on the board of a country-wide non-profit, go for it! Still, many groups have local chapters that would love to have your help with running meetings, event planning, or organizing their day-to-day operations.
2. Play to your strengths
You don’t have to take on a leading role to be an effective and valued member of a volunteer team. Many organizations typically have a variety of roles available. If you’d like to help a group but are unable or reluctant to take on a large or ongoing position, think about how the talents you bring to the table can be utilized, especially for one-off projects. Perhaps you’re a graphic designer and your local theatre group needs programs created for an upcoming production; maybe you’re an editor and your child’s parent council need their bylaws revised. Whatever task you take on, make sure it’s something that feels fulfilling to you. Volunteering shouldn’t be a chore; when you have the opportunity to share your time with others, make sure it’s done in a way that feels right to you, and helps you utilize your best to help others be theirs.
3. Create your own opportunities
Much like the hidden job market, hidden opportunities to volunteer exist. A group may not always advertise for volunteers on their website, and they may not even know there’s a need you can fill. Imagine you used to receive a quarterly neighbourhood community league flyer in your mailbox, but you’ve noticed they have stopped. You think they’re important to your community, so you decide to contact your league to find out why the flyers no longer exist. You find out the person who used to write material for the correspondence is no longer able to and the task is too big for the other volunteers. You, being a writer, think this is where you can help! There’s no harm in asking a group you may be interested in volunteering with what you can do to lend a hand. Get to know the organization. The answer may be right in front of you.
4. Put it on your resume
Your decision to volunteer may not be for anything other than a personal desire to help a cause or meet new people. Even so, every duty completed is a chance for learning and growth. Tasks completed while volunteering can help you gain skills that translate to solid employment experience, especially if you’re involved with a group that is related to your chosen vocation. Just as you would with a new job, keep track of your volunteer duties and update your resume while the experiences are fresh in your mind. Putting time and effort into a worthwhile endeavour is attractive to potential employers and clients, and may help put you in touch with fellow volunteers or patrons within a community who could connect you to paid opportunities later on.
5. Know your limits
Sometimes, there can be too much of a good thing. The people who regularly volunteer often have many other irons in the fire and know the feeling of being stretched too thin. As many benefits as there are to volunteering, burnout is a real thing. Try to look objectively at the situation yourself or have a trusted person help you evaluate — you believe in the work organization X does, but is the effort you’re investing becoming a bit too much? Are volunteer commitments taking away from time spent with your family, or preventing you from taking on other interests? If this happens to you, reassess. Take a step back by decreasing your duties, saying no to new ones, or stepping away from them altogether. It doesn’t have to be forever. Having some time away from volunteering when you need it can help you recharge your batteries for your next pursuit, and help you come back stronger when you’re ready to invest yourself again.
Have you had a memorable volunteer experience? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #FreshLookEdit5.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash