Commentary: Proud to wear the title 'volunteer'
I am a volunteer. The title "volunteer" is one of the most important in my life, just after "husband" and "dad." I wear the title proudly. Yes, volunteer.
Theresa, my wife, and I served as U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in Jamaica in 1991 and 1992. I have the honor and the privilege of volunteering with the American Diabetes Association, with the important Worcester Education Collaborative, with the amazing Working for Worcester, with my local parish’s Saint Vincent de Paul Society and with the Governor’s Anti-Hunger Task Force.
It seems much of my life has been spent as a volunteer, and my life is all the richer for it.
This coming week, April 19 through 25, is National Volunteer Week. Much as we celebrate all volunteers – sports coaches, religious cantors, Scout leaders, nonprofit board members, municipal committee members, those who give of their time to hospitals and environmental groups and health causes – I wish to use National Volunteer Week to amplify the benefits of volunteering.
Volunteering is good for the individual. Often the volunteer is able to learn, try and practice new-to-them skills. These skills may include public speaking, group work, fundraising and/or leadership. Volunteering may assist an individual in résumé building as new skills are learned and mastered, and it demonstrates initiative. Best of all, the Mayo Clinic informs us that volunteering is beneficial for both the physical and mental health of the individual. It creates meaning and provides a social structure and a social platform for the volunteer that may add to their well-being.
Volunteering is beneficial for the organization and its clientele. Many nonprofit organizations are financially stretched and need the added capacity that a volunteer may bring. The nonprofit may need administrative support and assistance. Perhaps the volunteer helps a program to expand and serve more people, and serve them better. A volunteer may also provide a boost or a spark to a nonprofit, bringing both their personal skills and their ebullient personality.
Finally and critically, nonprofits are governed by a volunteer board of directors who lend their expertise, their personal resources, their intellect and their compassion – all in supporting the nonprofit and its mission.
Volunteering builds community. In these days of anger politics and divisiveness, volunteering brings people together, fosters working together for community good and builds relationships that transform into friendships. Simply, we need people to choose to volunteer!
You may learn about and explore volunteer opportunities at our United Way website unitedwaycm.org/volunteer.
Better yet, this Saturday, April 18, you can see the beauty and the power of volunteerism in action. The Regional Environmental Council will host its 36th annual Earth Day cleanups. Drive around Worcester and see teams of volunteers taking to the streets, volunteering together for community good.
And, this Saturday, April 18, is also Working for Worcester’s 14th annual Build Day. Come to Worcester City Hall Plaza just after 8:30 a.m. and see close to 1,000 college students who are all giving of their time, their muscle and their sweat to construct 16 new recreational structures at our schools and nonprofits. I guarantee that you will be inspired.
Volunteering is good for everybody. Join us!
By: Tim Garvin, President & CEO, UWCM