Chapter 13: Volunteerism support groups to child protection

and human rights advocacies, poll

Learning Objectives
or election work, peacekeeping
At the end of this chapter, the missions, and relief operations, to
learners are expected to: name a few.

1. give the meaning and benefits Some people consider

of volunteerism; volunteerism a pastime; others
see it as a vocation. Some
2. name the core values expected
volunteers have high-paying jobs
of volunteers; and
and stable careers, others are
3. explore volunteer opportunities well-known in their fields.
that one may engage in. Volunteers could be teachers,
doctors, lawyers, or celebrities.
Overview They could also be housewives,
This chapter takes up students, or retirees.
volunteerism's meaning and Regardless of age, economic
benefits, values expected of status, sex, and educational
volunteers, and volunteer attainment, volunteers work
opportunities. together toward a common cause
Volunteerism helps hasten and for which they commit their time,
strengthen community know-how and expertise, and
development as it promotes the sometimes even their own money.
active participation of individuals However, one does not become a
in different programs and projects volunteer by simply raising
that respond to the needs of his/her hand. A volunteer has to
community. undergo trainings and attend
Volunteerism seminars for specific functions or
tasks that he/she volunteers for.
Chapter 13: Volunteerism
Moore (2002) describes a
Volunteerism is the act, practice, volunteer as follows:
or principle of contributing one's
time, talents, and resources freely "A volunteer is a person who is a
to worthwhile purposes without light to others, giving witness in a
tangible compensation. It is mixed-up age, doing well and
considered the most fundamental willingly the tasks at hand,
act in the society. It is geared namely, being aware of another's
toward good causes that help need and doing something about
alleviate the suffering of others. It it.
promotes peace, solidarity, and "A volunteer is a person who
trust among citizens. strives to make other people
Volunteerism can serve in various happy, who takes the loneliness
areas ranging from medical, out of the alone by talking to
environmental, and educational them, who is concerned when
others are unconcerned, who has
the courage to be a blessing and Here are some core values
to say the things that have to be expected of volunteers:
said for the good of all.
1. Commitment. Volunteers are
"A volunteer is a person whose attached to, identified with, and
charity is fidelity, who is faithful in involved in community service.
an unfaithful world, grateful in an
2. Professionalism. Volunteers
ungrateful world, giving when all
observe work ethics in performing
are grasping, listening when
their
others need to tell about their
fears and problems." responsibilities with socially and
morally accepted behavior.
Volunteers are people from all
walks of life, all ages and stages, 3. Creativity. Volunteers search
having a common desire to make constantly for new strategies and
a difference in their community methods of doing a task for
and their own life by giving of improved results.
their time and expertise. For
4. Unity. A volunteer supports
young people, volunteering brings
teamwork to achieve the common
a new sense of confidence and
goal.
self-gratification. It is a good way
to interact in the "grown-up Volunteer OpportunitiesThe 2001
world." It enables them to develop National Survey of Giving,
communication, career-building, Volunteering, and Participating
and social skills that will be useful shares the following
in other facets of their lives. questionnaire, the answers to
which help determine what kind
Benefits of Volunteers
of volunteer opportunities will be
Volunteerism yields the following suited to the individual volunteer:
benefits:
1. If you have all the human and
1. Community development financial resources in the world,
what problem would you solve,
2. Development of the skills of
what would you change, and what
volunteers
would you create? Your answers
3. Peace, solidarity, and trust will tell you what matters the
among citizens most to you.
4. Career opportunities for 2. What kind of time commitment
volunteers are you willing to make? Are you
looking for a regular/weekly
5. Friendship among citizens
volunteer commitment or a short-
6. Experience and self-esteem term/one-time opportunity?
gained by volunteers
3. Would you like to volunteer
Values Expected of Volunteers with other people or by yourself?
4. Would you like to volunteer 5. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you
from your own home or would you can teach how to make curtains
prefer to volunteer in an or bedspreads, embroider
organization? pillowcases and towels, and make
unique fashion accessories at a
5. If you would like to volunteer
women's shelter, nursing home,
away from home, where is the
or orphanage.
best location for you near your
home, your work, or your child's 6. If you enjoy the outdoors, you
care center? can help organize a clean-up drive
in your street or park or help a
6. Do you have specific skills or
neighbor plant flowers.
talents that you would like to
share with an organization? 7. If you enjoy dancing, singing,
and acting, you can participate in
7. Would you like to develop a
your community's cultural show
specific skill?
group.
8. What are your personal goals?
8. If your grandparents have
Would you like to re-enter the
passed away or live far away and
workforce or meet new people?
you do not get to see them as
Potential volunteer opportunities often you want to, you can make
are as follows: friends with a senior citizen and
adopt him/her as your grandma or
A. Based on the interests of an
grandpa.
individual
9. If you are interested in foreign
1. If you like animals, you can
culture, you can volunteer at a
help out at an animal shelter or
school that accepts foreign
the nearest zoo.
students.
2. If you like working with kids,
10. If you are concerned about
you can get involved at a day-
people with disabilities, you can
care or preschool center or help
volunteer at an agency or
younger students with their
institution that care for people
schoolwork.
with physical or mental
3. If you enjoy playing sports, you disabilities.
can play games with the kids at a
B. Based on the future career goal
nearby sports complex or
of an individual
organize a mini-sports fest.
1. If you like to work in the
4. If you like to cook, you can get
medical field, you can volunteer
together with friends and teach
at a community health center or a
moms or housekeepers new
government hospital or clinic.
recipes, the latest about food
preparation and preservation, and 2. If you are interested in
entrepreneurship opportunities in teaching, you can volunteer at a
cooking. public school.
3. If you are interested in science, Conclusion
you can volunteer at the local
Community volunteerism entails
science museum or zoo.
identifying resources; building up
4. If you like to work in an office present strengths; empowering
someday, you can volunteer at a partners or individuals to reach
non-profit organization. their potential; facilitating new
connections within the community
Community Service
and strengthening such
Community service is identified connections; and fostering
by the higher educational relationships that enhance the
institution (HEI) in consultation ability of groups and individuals to
with the local government, have a sense of belonging and a
community-based organizations, desire to be involved.
and non-governmental
organizations as designed to
improve the quality of life of
community residents, particularly
low-income individuals, or to
solve particular problems related
to their needs. Community service
includes the following:
1. first aid training or health care,
preschool storytelling, social
welfare, social services, trauma
counseling, group dynamics,
crime prevention, recreation,
street cleaning, and community
improvement
2. serving in the youth corps as
defined in the NSTP Act of 2001
3. assisting students with
disabilities
4. tutoring, supporting
educational and recreational
activities, and counseling.
including career counseling
Volunteer community service can
be rendered in government
offices, private companies, or in
any place where services may be
needed. Volunteers can also work
from their homes.