The Art of Volunteering!

When a person lives with moderate to severe chronic pain, they are forced to give up many activities of daily living (ADL) by default. 

One thing I didn't give up though, was volunteer work.  I had done various types of volunteer work long before I was injured and I continued to after; it was as helpful to me as those I hoped to help. 

When you go through the things that millions do who walk in these shoes, it is easy to feel defeated. 

That's why I advocate, strongly, doing volunteer work even if you live in chronic pain. 

It is so healthy and helpful to you,

to put your focus on someone else's needs rather than your pain and

its numerous byproducts. 

Don't get me wrong.  I am not saying that if you are having a day, week, or month, where just getting out of bed to go to the bathroom challenges you, go volunteer. 

I am saying go do it even on the days where you'd prefer to stay in bed because it is so much healthier to your mind, body and spirit to not do that.  This applies to EVERYONE, able bodied or not.

There are a few important factors to consider before you become a volunteer.  First and foremost, what do you enjoy doing?  If you don't like kids, don't become a big brother or sister!  If you love kids, then yes, that is a great choice. 

The more a non-profit touches your heart, the more invested you will be in your time and efforts. 

Find the non-profit(s) in your area whose mission(s) align(s) with your values and contact them to see what their volunteer requirements are. 

Some may suprise you in their requirements and not all will be a good fit for you.  Only you know what works for you.

Depending on the organization you may or may not be required to attend an orientation. 

Secondly, most nonprofits do not pay their staff well and are also severely understaffed; thus, the help that they get from volunteers is as critical to their success as every other aspect of the organization.

Please be sure that you

choose a schedule that you

will honor because "good intentions"

are not good enough when it comes to signing up, but not showing up.

Thirdly, in my experience nonprofits that don't have enough staff and/or volunteers, are often disorganized.  Disorganization leads to wasted time and an inefficient operation that will likely lose out on keeping good volunteers and/or gathering as much cash and other donations as they can.  If you are a highly organized person, that skill alone can benefit many nonprofits.

If you are a computer programmer and/or social media butterfly, these skills are also a major benefit to any nonprofit. 

There are many other needs that volunteers fulfill, each organization's need will vary from nonprofit to nonprofit. 

Once you determine which you are interested in helping, simply call them, explain that you are looking to volunteer and ask what their needs are so that you can determine together if you would be a good fit.

The bottom line is that volunteer work

is not about you;

it is about the organization

that you are helping. 

Be sure to be respectful by not just showing up

as promised but consisently bringing a good attitude

and being a team player.

Many nonprofits hire top notch volunteers

so you never know what it could lead to

if you are seeking work or a job change!

Also, as a former hiring manager,

I can tell you that I am

far more impressed by and

interested in hiring candidates

who, while unemployed,

showed the self-motivation

and good heart, to go volunteer,

than those who did nothing.

 With that said, please volunteer for the right reasons; just know that it can benefit you in ways that you may not even realize!

 

 Be upfront with the non-profit about your availability. 

Also, some people may only want to volunteer over the summer or over the winter, etc...that's okay; again, just be clear about your availability.

Others may just want to volunteer for a specific project such as an annual fundraiser.  This is also fine as long as you make that clear as well.

How often you volunteer does not matter nearly as much as how reliable you are in showing up as promised. 

The fact that I've spoken of the importance of showing up repeatedly is your hint that this is a vital commitment that needs to be treated with the same respect as employement.

As a former manager I can tell you right now that I'd rather have had 40 P/T employees who could all only work one or two set days a week or month that I know I could count on consistently,

then 20 F/T employees who called off regularly, at the last minute and left their co-workers, me and our guests, hanging.

Dog Rescues

I have great admiration and respect for every person involved in any capacity with rescuing and saving animals.

If you are an animal lover please contact your local rescue organization to see what needs they have.

The old towels, sheets and blankets that you may currently be sending to goodwill or other nonprofits are greatly appreciated as well as needed by animal rescues.

PLEASE ONLY GIVE CLEAN ONES! 

These rescues are already challenged and do not have the personnel to deal with receiving dirty donations.

Need exercise? 

Volunteer to walk dogs.

Everyone needs love!

Go play for with shelter/rescue animals that would otherwise, spend 24 hours without any.

Not shy about asking for cash and other donations? 

Maybe they can use you to solicit donations for them.

Are you an excellent party planner?

Most of these organizations hold fundraisers;

ask if you may be of assistance in this capacity.

Use common sense when going to work with animals.

Don't wear nice clothes and then get upset if and when you get covered with fur, mud or other undesirable things during the course of doing your volunteer work.

Don't wear good jewelry either. 

Skip the earrings too because puppies love to chew on people's ears and the last thing the rescue needs is the unnecessary drama and expense of the surgery to remove earrings.

Remember your volunteering is not about you;

it is about making a POSITIVE difference by showing up

as promised, consistently to help the non-profit.

Leave your drama at home and don't create any while there.

Be professional, polite and cheerful.

From my Tyndale Life Application Study Bible, NLT version:

Luke 6:38 "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

Hebrews 13:16 "Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God."

 Read Philippians 2 -"Joy in serving"