The earthquake on Sumatra on December 26, 2004 was a major humanitarian response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami. You may have seen on news channels that 230,000 people were killed and thousands injured and millions of people were homeless. . Many countries had promised millions of dollars for medical and military assistance in collaboration with NGO volunteers as doctors and engineering teams. The immediate response to this natural disaster was of volunteers who came to the ground to help the affected people. In such a situation, volunteers are the best group of people, which one can trust.
What does volunteer mean?
Voluntary service is an inherent activity in which a person or a person is involved in a group of individuals who benefit from a group of individuals or groups without any financial gain. The benefit is to improve the quality of human life and promote goodness. This may be in the form of providing assistance to medical teams or setting up of cleaning process or rescue operation or homes. Volunteers are such individuals who voluntarily present themselves for the service in which they intend to participate and perform without any payment.
Generally, volunteers are trained in areas they want to provide education, provide medical assistance, or to participate in emergency rescue. But altogether, volunteering to acquire knowledge with new skills, to increase their career prospects, to meet the needs of the inner soul, to develop one's self-esteem, to engage with the community on a large scale and to bring mental satisfaction Provides the benefit of
What are the different types of volunteering?
Volunteer in learning the service:
This type of autonomy is evident in many educational facilities where it allows students to serve the community through the process of self service. As a means of earning credit, it is added in such a way that it can be encouraged among the students to prepare them for the future. Apart from this, it is said that carers and responsible citizens promise to serve the society. The educational institute intends to merge the academic study with the service of the community through its relations with the agency. It is a mutual benefit in which the student receives knowledge from the service agency and the community receives skills, intelligence, energy and commitment. Studies indicate that involving youth volunteering in learning the service motivates them to connect with their mind and soul. They participate with enthusiasm and learn better than traditional methods.
2. Volunteers using skills:
This kind of voluntary use of skilled personnel is because they have the talent needed to increase the infrastructure capacity. These activities are focused on non-profit groups to maintain and achieve their goals. When the work of general volunteer is compared, where skill is not used, then this type of volunteer is more important.
3. Volunteer in developing communities:
The countries that are in developing mode need help in many ways to increase their community. Many young people opt for self-service in countries who work on projects identified for teaching English, work with orphanages, assist non-governmental organizations, provide medical aid, special disease Treat and bring awareness on various socio-economic subjects. These types of volunteer volunteers of international communities increase the skills and knowledge of the participants, which benefit the society and the community.
4. Online Self Service:
It is also called e-volunteer or virtual volunteer. Work is done by partial or full-off-site volunteers who assist the organization. The way they work or the way is to be connected to the internet or internet device, which is kept at home or school or at work center. Comparison with online work involves a variety of services such as tele-monitoring, tele-tutoring, without any payment.
5. Volunteers in emergencies:
Natural disasters create displacement and havoc for the communities affected. This can occur in the form of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, sludge slides, forest fires, hurricanes, storms, droughts, cyclones, etc. To overcome the society, volunteers are the first to provide care and immediate feedback. Relief operation NGOs, government organizations and United Nations organize food, shelter and reconstruction of their volunteers. In fact, they are like mediators who pool resources from social media and seek help.
6. Volunteering in schools:
Educational intervals and financially backward schools look forward to this kind of volunteer work. In order to bring an intangible award to the school, there is a need for selfless efforts, in which there is no proper infrastructure and faculty to teach. Volunteering in such categories ensures that you add an extra skill to your resumption and help in finding relevant experience. These volunteers learn the culture and language of the place they serve. Apart from this, these students have the advantage of teaching teachers in different schools. The teaching process involves exchanging language and culture which gives great experience to volunteers and students.
7. Volunteer for the community:
It refers to working toward the community to support or involve in improving the community. For example, participating in recreational activities or sports matches, attending a building for the local area, participating in local area awareness campaigns of NGOs etc. activities are also organized through the church and local government officials.
8. Volunteer for Corporate:
It is considered a way for the corporate to contribute to society through its largest asset, its employees. By doing this, engaging with employees creates positive effects in communities, which creates opportunities for better teams. Employee volunteers are encouraged to increase social responsibility and participate in bringing stability. Even donations are given to non-governmental organizations to recognize them. Through this process, corporate businesses take advantage because they enhance their brand image, reputation, build loyalty and keep employees to reach their goals.
9. Volunteer for the environment:
Environmental issues are organized mostly through volunteers who conduct several activities to protect the environment. Those activities are mostly related to restoring ecological balance, especially in relation to the removal of weeds and vegetation, monitoring of environmental aspects, protection of endangered species and awareness of public and community about the preservation of natural habitat.
10. Micro-volunteering:
This type of voluntary work involves fulfilling short-term tasks, which gives the benefit of one cause. This can be done at home or at the place where long-term commitment is not involved in the process of training or application. Some examples, like collecting clothes to raise funds for rescue work, playing quiz for raising money for hunger, participating in computer games to donate food to needy, or donating a small percentage while shopping online etc.
Benefits of Volunteering :
Being part of a voluntary activity and participating in it brings joy and self-satisfaction. Allotting time and effort to help others is a wonderful aspect, so that we can see the impact on the beneficiary. It can be a restoration of a house, clean garbage on the street, provide food for the street children, provide houses for the elderly, can care for homeless, the list goes on. In the end, it is amazing to see gratitude in their eyes and a smile on their faces. More than that, there are many other hidden benefits that you can see now. Let's see what this can be.
Personal benefits of volunteering:
A. get a new job:
Voluntary work, whether it's on a work area or virtual, helps someone improve their work profile to enhance their skills, which makes them more confident. In addition, they create new networks, which help them to refer to another job. To get this quality started again, it is sure to catch the eye of the interviewer. Dive into self-service and see what difference it is!
B. Build your own job:
Through corporate volunteer programs, employees have the means to take advantage of their work area and brightness. Studies have shown that today's volunteers are considered as tomorrow's leaders because they used to participate in team activities. So if you are a corporate employee, lend your hand to the volunteer to see changes in your profile!
C. Get new skills:
Going through self-service is a new experience that allows a person to learn new things. Participating in activities that interest you or to include, you have to learn. Learning process is not only in classrooms, but it is also included in social work physically. Expand your knowledge to see changes in yourself!
D. Understand Team Building:
Most voluntary works involve working with different areas of the community and different types of people. Involve yourself with various members, encourages working together for one reason. By which, the purpose of working as a team is fulfilled. Take part in one reason and learn how to interact and bind members to team up. Want to know about team building, join a volunteer activity and build your skills!
E. Get the Completion:
The term self-service is part of social work and involves the search for someone's interest and passion. Through this fun activity, one achieves fulfillment. Volunteer helps a person to relax and activate himself. It brings them out of bore of day-to-day activities and other personal commitments. It provides creativity to the brain, motivates you to come out for higher goals in life. Find the fulfillment of your life through joining self-service!
F. Increase confidence:
Being a volunteer enhances one's self-esteem and is a healthy booster for self-confidence. Playing as a volunteer brings a feeling of pride because you are doing well for others, because you feel good about yourself. It enhances a positive eye on life and future goals. Increase your self-confidence by participating in a program in volunteer service!
Health benefits of volunteering:
A. Reduce stress :
As is the voluntary community involved in any section of the society, it is a means of connecting with people in their daily lives. By coming out of the real world comfort zone, you will understand what to present life. Apart from this, seeing through accomplishment or saving life or reconstruction of a home is internal self satisfaction. Feel free to experience spiritual lift!
B. Be physically active:
Working as a volunteer involves physical work unless it is a virtual volunteer work. By leaving out to work field work, working with people and participating in activities, your mind is more active and more related to physical work. Due to the time, you would like to work physically because it keeps you fit. By doing this, such people live longer. Volunteerly be physically active!
Social benefits of volunteering:
A. Join others:
Voluntary activity is a mode where the introverted person will become extrovert to make more social. This is a way where people get involved with those who share similar thoughts. Learning to cope with and tolerate other members is also another additional feature. But the most important criterion is that you can get involved with many categories that will help you learn more. Want to be extrovert, join volunteer!
B. Find new friends:
By sharing the activities of volunteer, one person gets new friends and gets a chance to meet new people. Apart from this, it is a way of connecting with the community, thus expanding the networks of people with similar ideology. It also brings people from various communities together. Do not get new friends, then join a volunteer program and find out who you are!
Where to find volunteer opportunities
- VolunteerMatch – Find opportunities that match your volunteer interests, from location to type of work. (VolunteerMatch)
- Idealist – Find volunteer opportunities in your local area or internationally. (Idealist)
- National and Community Service – Federal organization offering volunteer positions across the U.S. (National Service)
- Volunteer – Directory of environmental volunteer opportunities. (Volunteer.gov)
- U.S. Peace Corps – Offers volunteer opportunities overseas and includes a 50 Plus division. (Peace Corps)
- American Red Cross – Volunteer in any of the Red Cross’s key service areas. (Red Cross)
How to Find the Right Volunteer Opportunity
There are many volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a situation that you will enjoy and able to do. It is also important to ensure that your commitment matches the needs of the organization. Ask yourself the following:
- Would you like to work from adults, children, animals or away from home?
- Do you like to work alone or as part of a team?
- Are you better behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visual role?
- How much time are you ready to give?
- What skills can you bring in a volunteer job?
- What are the reasons for you?
Consider many volunteer prospects
Do not limit yourself to only one organization or a specific type of job. Occasionally an opportunity feels great on paper, but the reality is quite different. Try to travel to different organizations and feel what they like and if you click with other employees and volunteers.
Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities
- Community Theaters, Museums and Monuments
- Library or senior center
- Services organization like Lions Club or Rotary Club
- Local Animal Shelter, Rescue Organization or Wildlife Center
- Youth Organization, Sports Team and Post-School Programs
- Historical Restoration, National Park and Conservation Organization
- Place of worship like church or synagogue
- Online databases such as below are contained in the Resources section
How much time should you give?
To be beneficial is not voluntarily handling your life. In fact, research shows that only about two to three hours per week, or approximately 100 hours in a year, you can provide the most benefits for both you and your chosen cause. The important thing is that only voluntarily do the amount of time that makes you feel comfortable. Volunteer should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby, and not another anger in your to-do list.
Getting the Most Benefits of Self Service
You are donating your valuable time, so it is important that you take advantage of yourself voluntarily. To ensure that your voluntary status is a good fit:
Ask questions. You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you spend. Sample questions for your Volunteer Coordinator can address the commitment of your time, if any training is involved, what you are working with, and what to do if you have questions during your experience.
Make sure you know what is expected. You should be comfortable with the organization and understand the commitment of time. Consider starting a little so that you do not commit yourself to the first time. If needed, give yourself some flexibility to change your focus.
Do not be afraid to change. Do not force yourself into a bad fit or feel compelled to stick with the role of a volunteer whom you dislike. Talk to the organization about changing your focus or explore a different organization that is better.
If you volunteer abroad, choose carefully. Some volunteer programs abroad can do more harm than good if they take very much paid jobs from the local workers. Find voluntary opportunities with reputable organizations.
Enjoy yourself. The best volunteer experience benefits both volunteer and organization. If you are not enjoying yourself, then ask yourself why. Is this the work you are doing? The people you are working with? Or are you just uncomfortable because the situation is new and unfamiliar? Help to tell how you are upset, how to move forward.
Volunteer is an activity in which a person or group of individuals is involved to benefit another community. It is said that to increase the skills of a person or invite someone to enhance their skills through the process of doing good. There are also positive benefits for the volunteer who have been expanded. The social skills of the volunteer are improved, which helps in getting new friends, increasing the job profile and even moving forward in their careers. Apart from this, taking part in one reason relieves one person from his stress to be mentally satisfied. But over time, volunteers should be trained in their field of work, whether it is medicine, education, natural disaster or emergency rescue operation.
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