Why I Choose to Volunteer
We are so pleased to welcome Ali Alzahrani as our guest writer this week. You can read more of his work on his page.
Volunteering is the power that may bring the social change we all crave.
In an era characterized by growing individualism and digital isolation, I prefer to give my time and energy free of charge. This is a courageous human gesture and a great way to connect. I am not doing this only for leisure or to pass my idle time; instead, it is my strong protest against the wave of selfishness that puts our unity in jeopardy. As Winston Churchill wisely noted, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give". This idea is a good example of the reason why volunteering happens to be the main blueprint of my life.
The process or the desire to volunteer was a result of witnessing the growing consumer culture in our society. I have seen that we can often be disconnected from others, both in childhood and adulthood, since we feel separated in our daily digital interfaces. This not only impacts the tangible community needs but also builds tines of isolation and sorrow. One of the remedies against this is the volunteerism idea, as it provides us the possibility of reconnecting not only with our shared human nature but also with the local communities we live in. This was a great opportunity, a huge spark for me that I could not resist, so simply I’m jumping in. Joyce Bertram (2015) said in her TEDxVilnius "If you come across something that sparks something in you, that sparks a passion that fills you with excitement, that you feel should happen, don't wait for others to take the initiative. Step up and do it."
I agree completely with Joyce Bertram (2015) when she correctly claimed that volunteering is a good place to call home for skill and character development. She said "Every single individual, regardless of their backgrounds, has valuable information that is worth sharing." This democratic view of knowledge and skills is what makes volunteering unique. From my volunteer work, I have discovered a number of talents I never thought I was capable of having and have also been taught valuable lessons by others in ways that I could never have experienced in my professional or personal life.
The concept of volunteerism really is a prominent part of the idea of altruism, but at the same time, it is not just selflessness. The concept of volunteering is about the reciprocal relation of giving and getting that nurtures both the volunteer and the community. According to research by social scientists, volunteers usually report better mental health, increased life satisfaction, and stronger social relationships (Wilson, 2000). The mutual benefit of volunteering lies in its promotion of a more compassionate and interconnected society.
Moreover, volunteering is one of the mighty methods that can bring about social change. I mean real change. People will join organizations because they want to do something a little bit better than themselves. This willingness to be a part of a project that is bigger than oneself is the chief engine of a huge number of volunteer activities. Instead of being content with surviving the world's massive waves, by volunteering, I attach myself to the efforts of remarkable human beings who are not mere spectators but really are active participants in the movement to solve these issues once and for all from the grassroots level on up.
The influence of voluntary work goes far beyond the immediate gains individuals and organizations experience from it. Volunteering plays a significant role in developing social capital and building the social fabric. In the United States alone, the economic evaluation of volunteer time is around $33.48 per hour (Independent Sector, 2021), which translates to billions of dollars in support for causes and organizations that would have otherwise gone unfulfilled. However, the true essence of volunteering cannot be determined monetarily; it is found in the skills that it instills in people, like compassion, the ability to understand, and excellent social connection.
But when I Look towards the future, I see the landscape of volunteering most likely to evolve with technological advancements. There are going to be a Virtual or remote volunteering opportunities for those interested to be part of the volunteering community from the ease of their home or offices. These ways may become more known and used in the future, but the fundamental human need to connect with no doubt will remain fixed, because this this what it means to be a human.
When I choose to volunteer, I made a conscious decision to be part of the treatment (hopefully) to the challenges facing the whole world, I mean not me as a person, but me as an individual, as one part of our world population. It is a rejection of the notion that individual success and comfort are the ultimate goals of life. Instead, it is an embrace of the idea that real fulfillment comes from being one part of the well-being of others and building towards a more just and equitable society.
Volunteering stands as the hope, when we face global challenges that require a collective action. Volunteering is a testament to the potential power of our human compassion and solidarity. It works as a reminder that we are all connected and that each action from each one of us can have far-reaching results, and long-lasting outputs. The anthropologist Margaret Mead, once said "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. (r)" - Margaret Mead. Used with permission. (Institute for Intercultural Studies, 2009).
In conclusion, I chose to volunteer because it offers a great opportunity to create a difference, meaningful one. This difference is not going to impact the world or only the community, instead it is going to simultaneously enrich my own life and the lives of those around me. It is our powerful tool we peacefully may use to combat the ugly individualism in the society and instill the values of connected humanity, empathetic society, and a very socially responsible community.
References
Bertram, J. (2015). How volunteerism can change your world. TEDx Talks. [Link]
Independent Sector. (2021). Value of Volunteer Time. [Link]
Institute for Intercultural Studies. (2009). Margaret Mead quotes. [Link]
Wilson, J. (2000). Volunteering. Annual Review of Sociology, 26(1), 215-240. [Link]