|
|
ARTICLES
International Volunteer Day is December 5thPosted: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009  In 1985, the United Nations designated December 5th as International Volunteer Day to thank volunteers around the world and to raise awareness about their contributions. What can volunteering mean for you? Be part of your community How do you stay connected and remain part of a larger community? Volunteering is the single most important thing you can do. There are many opportunities in your community, through professional associations as well as neighborhood, arts, historic, and social service organizations. If you feel strongly about something that is happening or not happening in your community, get involved. Having doubts about your skills? You may be surprised at what you have to offer (including a lifetime of experience and maturity, two extremely valuable qualities). If the job requires a specific skill, the organization will make sure you have training and supervision. Remember that many volunteering jobs involve just being there to talk to someone or providing an extra pair of hands. Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing. What better way is there to connect with your community and give a little back? As a volunteer, you can return to society some of the benefits that society gives you. (Read about someone who dove into volunteering and is enjoying it immensely,; check out our December 09 Vancouver Island article "A New Start".) Help yourself while helping others. In today’s busy society, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous, both to you, your family and the community. Volunteering can help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills and sharpen old ones. It can even enhance your mental and physical health. Meet a diverse range of people Volunteering brings together people from all backgrounds and walks of life and offers an incredible networking opportunity. Both the recipients of your volunteer efforts and your co-workers can be a rich source of inspiration and an excellent way to boost your social skills. The people you meet or new information you learn can have a powerful impact on your life. New interests and hobbies Contributing time and energy to a cause can be an escape from everyday routine and create a balance in our lives. Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing. Sometimes a volunteer experience can lead you to something you never even thought about or help you discover a hobby or interest you were unaware of. Learn or develop a new skill A volunteer position is the perfect vehicle to retain and sharpen old skills, or to discover something you are really good at and develop a new talent. It’s never too late to learn new skills and there’s no reason why you should stop adding to your knowledge just because you’re over fifty or no longer in the work force. Volunteer as a family Consider volunteering with your children and grandchildren. By giving back to the community, you show them the effect one person can have and how good it feels to help others and enact change. It’s also a valuable way for you to get to know organizations in the community and find resources and activities for your family. Gain self-confidence Your role as a volunteer can give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life. Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others, which helps protects you against stress and depression. Support your physical health Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who don’t, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease. Home-based volunteering If you no longer drive or you have limited mobility, you may prefer to volunteer via phone or computer. There are many opportunities to contribute in this way. Where to find volunteer opportunities There are infinite possibilities, but here are some avenues to explore: Museums Art galleries Community theaters Libraries Senior centers Service organizations such as Lions club or Rotary clubs Youth organizations Sports teams Schools and colleges After-school programs Historical sites and parks Community gardens Religious organizations Local charities and community groups Hospitals Day care centres Neighborhood watch groups Rehabilitation centres Retirement centres Meals on wheels Homeless shelters Soup kitchens Shelters for women and children Community choirs and bands Food banks Animal Shelters Several online databases list volunteer opportunities as well. Check out: Main Street at Charity Village® How to get started • To make your community a better place • To meet other people with similar interests • To meet people who are different from you • To try something new • To do something with your spare time • To see a different way of life and new places • To do more with your interests and hobbies • To do something you’re good at • To learn a new skill The most valuable skills you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed, and a positive attitude. Volunteering around a personal interest or hobby can be fun, relaxing and energizing. That energy and sense of fulfillment can carry over into the rest of your life and give a new perspective. You may choose to volunteer in your own community, or you could even volunteer in a developing country. All it takes is a commitment of time and energy and you are on your way to new adventures and a new sense of achievement and belonging. To read about someone who dove into volunteering and is enjoying it immensely, check out our December 09 Vancouver Island article "A New Start" This article has been viewed 942 times. Comments |    |
 |
 |
Showing 0 to 1 of 1 comment.
Six provinces in Canada have stated their plans for reductions with poverty.Where is B.C. plans.?
With 12%of B.C.'s children living in poverty--Higher than the National Average.Its time all who do
care --gets involved.Let your political Reps know B.C.needs a plan now &creates Gov.for the
people &help aleviate social problems which is lot less costly for Tax payers.
Posted by: Barry Hingley | September 17th, 2011
Mark as Violation