NSTP MODULE 7:

VOLUNTEERISM
Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Be exposed to people who are at a disadvantage (socially, medically, economically, or

otherwise);
2. Realize that you can make a difference and that you have the tools to do so;
3. Develop awareness and better understanding of the communities you live in; and
4. Support community development;

Ponder on these:

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping
yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi

“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life
without someone else’s help.” – Heather French Henry

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to
turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college
degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You
don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only
need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re
priceless.” – Sherry Anderson

CONCEPTS/ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEERISM

People the world over engage in volunteerism for a great variety of reasons: to help to eliminate
poverty and to improve basic health and education, to tackle environmental issues, to reduce
the risk of disasters or to combat social exclusion and violent conflict. In all of these fields,
volunteerism makes a specific contribution by generating well-being for people and their
communities.

Volunteers are motivated by values like those of justice, equality and freedom as expressed in
the United Nations Charter. A society which supports and encourages different forms of
volunteering is likely to be a society which also promotes the well-being of its citizens.

More than 1 billion people volunteer globally, the majority of them serving in their own countries.
Many are in the forefront of efforts to improve the way they and their fellow citizens are
governed and engaged. Moreover, volunteers are playing a vital role in making governments
worldwide more accountable and responsive to their citizens.

They are working with governments and civil society to hold those in power to account and to
represent the voices of those who are often left out of development decisions such as women,
youth and marginalized groups. The end result is more inclusive –and ultimately more effective–
development.

Volunteerism is a basic expression of human relationships. It is about people’s need to

participate in their societies and to feel that they matter to others. We strongly believe that the
social relationships intrinsic to volunteer work are critical to individual and community well-being.

The ethos of volunteerism is infused with values such as solidarity, reciprocity, mutual trust,
belonging and empowerment, all of which contribute significantly to quality of life.
Basic Concepts:

 Volunteerism is the practice of providing time and skills for the benefit of other people and
causes rather than for financial benefit.

 Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place.
And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the
cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new
friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.

 The essence of volunteerism is in giving back to the society, but that's not what it's all
about. It teaches you many valuable things – Develops your skills – Volunteering exposes
you to a whole new world of opportunities and at the same time helps you in honing your
existing skills.
Characteristics That Every
Great Volunteer Has In Common
 They have a fearless approach. To
be a volunteer requires a lot of
courage.
 They have infinite patience.
 They can think creatively.
 They are eager to take initiative.
 They stay humble about their work.
 They are driven by passion. They
can work in teams.
5 Reasons Why Volunteering Is More than Just Giving Back

Volunteering may not be at the top of the priority list for students, but ask those who have done
it and they will tell you how fulfilling the experience is. The essence of volunteerism is in giving
back to the society, but that’s not what it’s all about. It teaches you many valuable things:
1. Develops your skills: Volunteering exposes you to a whole new world of opportunities
and at the same time help you in honing your existing skills. It teaches you things that
can’t be taught in classrooms. Take for instance, the ability to work in teams – we can’t
stress enough how important that is in today’s job market and volunteering more often
than not, involves working in teams. It brings out new hobbies, interests, and helps form
opinions. You’ll be surprised at how good you’re at things you have never done and a
volunteering internship can give you opportunities to try all of them out. A volunteering
experience can actually help you decide your career!
2. Meeting diverse groups: Volunteering brings together people from diverse fields.
Interaction with co-workers presents an excellent networking scope. It enhances your
cross-cultural understanding and develops your people skills. It’s a common pain point
that students lag behind in their communication skills during their internships. A
volunteering stint could help you curb that.
3. Discover yourself: Volunteering widens your personality horizon by exposing you to
different kinds of situations and environments. It’s one thing to watch under-privileged
children study in an open school in a television documentary and a totally different
experience to actually be present in such a school and teach them. It gives you a new
and appreciative perspective in life, which nothing else can do.
4. Sense of achievement: Imagine the satisfaction you get when a charity event ends
successfully or when the kids you taught pass with flying colors. Volunteering can be
immensely fulfilling to people who want to be the instruments of change. As already
pointed out, the essence of volunteering is about giving back to the society.
5. Facilitate Respect: As you grow, you develop a more refined sense of self-awareness
and an awareness of others. You must put your own needs aside to address the needs
of others. Doing so will also make you learn to value and understand yourselves
throughout the process. Empathy and citizenship were developed during your childhood
and adolescence. And participating in activities like caring for the elderly or addressing
homelessness from an early age introduces you to the process of confronting moral
dilemmas and thinking about social change. Exposure to meaningful volunteer
opportunities will help you foster lasting empathy and inclusivity, qualities necessary in
cultivating safe, unified communities.

6. Boosts your future career: When applying for future internships, without much prior
work experience to show to your employer, volunteering stints could vouch for your all-
round abilities – organizing events, making optimum utilization of the scant resources
available, handling operations, managing people, and many more; these experiences
will help you boost your CV.

7. Collaboration and problem solving: vital to succeed in academics, the workplace, and
their personal lives. Whether it’s collecting donations or caring for elderly, youth develop
an understanding of citizenship that extends into adulthood.

9. Make real change. Work through real challenges and make meaningful change. These
transformative experiences encourage you to confront moral dilemmas, investigate
solutions, and employ innovative thinking. As you begin to notice real changes as a
 result of your effort, you establish a cognitive connection between effort and positive
outcomes. Young people who volunteer regularly develop a civic identity, as leaders and
change makers, and therefore become more socially and politically active adults.

3. Develop a more refined sense of self-awareness and an awareness of others. You,

as volunteers, must put your own needs aside to address the needs of others. Doing so
will also learn to value and understand yourself throughout the process. Empathy and
citizenship are developed during childhood and adolescence. And participating in
activities like caring for the elderly or addressing homelessness from an early age
introduces you to the process of confronting moral dilemmas and thinking about social
change. Exposure to meaningful volunteer opportunities will help foster lasting empathy
and inclusivity, qualities necessary in cultivating safe, unified communities.

The Benefits of Youth Volunteerism for Communities

The benefits of youth volunteerism are plentiful, and our volunteer organizations and
communities reap just as many benefits when we encourage volunteerism among our nation’s
youth, like incorporating new skills and ideas into your programs, fostering a community of trust,
and encouraging lifelong volunteerism.

1. Build Safer Communities. Teens who volunteer are 50% less likely to participate in
risky behaviors, are less likely to become pregnant and use drugs, and are more likely to
experience psychological well-being. Thriving communities provide an infrastructure that
supports civic participation (such as volunteerism and voting), health, education and
work-life. Second only to youth disconnection, increased incarceration levels is an
indicator most associated with opportunity deficiency for young people. Young people
who are supported by their communities are less likely to become incarcerated as adults
and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. By providing opportunities for youth
volunteerism, your organization can work to strengthen trust and build a sense of unity
among your community’s diverse members.

2. Spread the Good. 34% of our population is under the age of 25, and a quarter of the
population is under the age of 18. Communities can tap into this substantial population
and significantly increase your volunteer pool. With their vast social networks and
technological savviness, youth make for great volunteer recruiters! Encourage
teenagers and young helpers to invite their friends, and you’ll be amazed at what they
can accomplish together.

3. Introduce Fresh Perspectives. By welcoming youth volunteerism, the organization

invites energetic perspectives and new ideas. Generally, involving a cross-section of
volunteers can help community programs move forward. According to research, young
people are well-suited to solve complicated social problems. Between the ages of 12 and
25, when their brains are fast and sophisticated, teenagers and young adults are
especially wired to seek new experiences and take risks. They can adjust easily, are
naturally inquisitive, and are more likely to discover creative solutions.
4. Foster Lifelong Engagement. You’ll not only increase your volunteer pool in the short-
term, but you may also build lifelong relationships. That’s because those who volunteer
when they’re young are more likely to become philanthropic adults invested in their
communities. Today’s youth just may become biggest supporters for years to come!

Participation in volunteer and civic opportunities from an early age instills empathy,
inspires a sense of citizenship, and helps youth find pathways to meaningful education
and work. In fact, young people who volunteer help to improve the present, while
ensuring healthy, secure futures for themselves and their communities.