Saturday, April 26, 2014

April is Volunteer Month


Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer


  1. It's good for you!
It provided mental and physical rewards:
Reduces stress- Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
Makes your healthier- Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immune system.
  1. It saves resources!
Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.
Estimated value of a volunteer's time is $15.39 per hour!
  1. Volunteers gain professional experience!
You can test out any career.
  1. It brings people together.
As a volunteer you assist in :
Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
Building camaraderie and teamwork
  1. It promotes personal growth and self Esteem
By helping foster empathy and self-efficacy.
  1. Volunteering strengthens your community
As a volunteer you help:
Support families
Improve schools
Support youth
Beautify the community
  1. You learn A LOT!
Self- Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on our self worth.
Government- Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
Community- Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs
  1. Give you a chance to "give back".
People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.
  1. Volunteering encourages civic responsibility
Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.
  1. You Make A Difference!
Every person counts!


Everyone knows that volunteering benefits the place your are volunteering for, but did you know it helps YOU too?! 


Volunteering can offer you the opportunity to practice skills and talents that can further your career, or even teach you a new skill that can change the direction of your life. It the tight economic situation we find ourselves now, everything we can do to make ourselves more valuable can be the difference between being laid off and a promotion. 

For those of us who are unable to work, the opportunity to help others can provide us with a sense of achievement. Depression is a major issue for us, and we have generally had to give up our favorite activities. Volunteering gives us the chance to so for others, to give back, and to find new hobbies and interests.

Studies have found many physical health benefits that come from volunteering. Did you know that it can minimize chronic pain? What about it's ability to reduce levels of disability? Or even relieve depression? All of these things not only help us feel better, but also have been found to make us LIVE LONGER!  

Making new friends, meeting new people. These are difficult, especially in an technology driven society. When you get out and volunteer, you are given the chance to meet other people with at least one interest in common with you, I mean… they are there too!

Sometimes, all you need is to get out into the world, a re-charge. Exercise, fresh air, sunshine, and a little wildlife  can make your day so much better. Depending on your "job" as a volunteer, you may be able to do any one of these while helping an organization.

Even people with a disability can be a huge asset! There are opportunities to volunteer without even leaving your home. Think about your skill set. Were you a professional in your "previous life"? Some organizations are just getting started and need help with the foundation, the "executive" side of things. Do you know how to budget? Are you familiar with contacting potential funding sources via phone, email, or mail? Are you a graphic artist, web designer, or artistic? To volunteer doesn't always mean doing physical work!

So you have decided to volunteer, here comes the hard part! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?! Helpguide.org has offered a list of places to look for opportunities:
  • Community theaters, museums, and monuments.
  • Libraries or senior centers.
  • Service organizations like Lion's Club or Rotary Clubs.
  • Youth programs, sports teams, and after-school programs.
  • Historical restoration and national parks.
  • Places of worship, churches, synagogues.
  • Online databases like PHA (hint, hint!!).

They also have some things to keep in mind while you volunteer:
  • Ask questions. Make sure the organization is looking for your skills, and that you are looking for that opportunity.
  • Make sure you know what is expected. Know who you are volunteering for, and understand what they want. Know what time commitment they want. Start small, DON'T OVER DO IT!
  • Don't be afraid to make a change. This is supposed to be a good experience for both of you! If it isn't what you expected, then you may need to look for something different.
  • ENJOY YOURSELF! If you are not enjoying yourself, ask why. Is it the "what"? Or the "who"? Are you stepping out of your comfort zone? If you know the issue, you can make the correct decision on a course of action!

So join me, be selfish! You can definitely make your like better by helping others do the same!

There are so many ways to help the pulmonary hypertension community, and many of them don't require you to leave your home.  Go to www.PHAssociation.org/GetInvolved for ideas and information!







Sources
World Volunteer Web. "Benefits of volunteering". October 19, 2005. www.worldvolunteerweb.org/resources/how-to-guides/volunteer/doc/benefits-of-volunteering.html
Helpguide.org. www.helpguide.org/
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)