20 Reasons Why We Volunteer

Why do people volunteer?

I have thought of 20 reasons which I will list in this blog. However, seldom is there only one reason why a person gets involved in a non-paid undertaking. Most often it is a combination of two or more factors. In general, we volunteer simply to help. Sceptically, however, our motivations can be categorized along the following lines (Please note that these are not in any order of importance. Reasons 20 can be just as relevant as any of the others):

1. To support a candidate (as in politics) or a cause (Alzheimer's awareness, Autism education or cancer prevention, for example)

2.Out of gratitude (survivors of a disease or someone who has benefited from a treatment or support program)

3. To feel needed (a strong motivator for someone who does not feel vital elsewhere)

4. To give back for what they have received in life (those born to wealth, those who are in high stations in life whether by their own efforts or simply by birthright; athletes; or those who may simply have come upon good fortunate through no effort of their own, such as winning a lottery)

5.To feel appreciated (Some people work countless hours on the job and never find this.) 

6. To feel they have some value (This is particulaly notable among retirees or displaced workers whose identity has been their job or profession.)

7. To help some specific individual (We may be moved to assist the elderly widow who just seems to have trouble with the lawn chores.)

8. To make friends and create a social network (This is a way to take care of our social needs while also assisting others)

9. To share skills (Whether these be woodworking, plumbing, medical, legal, sewing or computer skills, we all know something that can be used to help others.)

10. Because it's the "right thing to do" (Perhaps it's stepping forward when there is neighborhood tension when a new family moves in.)

11. To keep busy (Boredom, particularly among the elderly and retirees, can be alleviated through volunteer work.)

12. To be around people of similar values (Church groups and service groups provide prime examples.)

13. To have fun (Nobody said that volunteering had to be serious or solemn.)

14. To have an impact/make a difference (It is a very powerful feeling to know that you are making a difference in someone's life.)

15. To gain some skill or experience (A college psychology student may gain much through assisting on a telephone hotline at a crisis center.)

16. To apply skills or talents that are not utilized or are underutilized in the work setting. (The teacher or other professional who has been downsized and is now working in sales may become a tutor.)

17. To gain a measure of intrinsic satisfaction (There is something to be gained by helping others that can surpass what we experience in our workaday world.)

18. To fill out our resumes (Employers will take note of volunteer work, not only in terms of the experience but also because of what that voluntary commitment says about the person making it.

19. To fill a void in a program where you see a need (Stepping in to coach a Cub Scout softball team when no one else steps up to the plate.)

20. Simply because we are asked (We don't need to have a specific skill set for many volunteer roles; we just need to be asked.)

I have left off this list the community service requirement often imposed by the Court for convictions on charges such as DUI or retail fraud because the individual really is not volunteering of their own volition. 

Let me know if you can think of other reasons to volunteer. Perhaps you have a story about volunteering that you think would be of interest to other readers.You can reach me at jmorche@wowway.com.