Summary:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported a fall in the numbers of people volunteering during the past two years. While it’s a view held by many that volunteering is a completely selfless act, that’s perhaps not necessarily true. This short article looks at what the individual can gain from volunteering – or rather “exchanging” – their time.

Details or Sample:
Volunteering: An Exchange of Time

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people volunteering is declining. Between September 2006 and September 2007, 60.8m people volunteered at least once, which shows a fall in the numbers volunteering from the previous two years. This is perhaps a little surprising given that our leisure time is on the rise. But maybe if people looked at volunteering as an exchange of their time rather than a donation of it, those numbers might look a little different over the coming years.

There are a myriad of reasons individuals choose to volunteer. For most it’s a way of helping others, a desire to serve. Someone might choose to volunteer at a hospital or hospice as a way of saying “thank you” to those who helped them, or a family member or friend, during an illness. It is, of course, a very different way of giving than donating money to a charity; and while it may not be any more important than assisting an organization financially, volunteering does provide the individual with something that mailing a check to an organization doesn’t – and it’s a lot more than a thank you note and receipt.

In their desire to help others and make a contribution, many individuals probably overlook the benefits that can be gained from volunteering. Or rather they are uncomfortable with the notion that an individual might use volunteering for personal gain. But volunteering doesn’t have to be seen as a completely altruistic act; (and if you derive a sense of satisfaction from volunteering, can it be said to be a completely selfless act?). It’s perfectly acceptable to regard volunteering as an exchange: you receive something – be it a sense of satisfaction, the opportunity to meet people, or the chance to learn new skills – in exchange for your time.

Volunteering can give an individual the opportunity to use skills and talents that have lain dormant for many years – or that they never knew they possessed. It’s also a great way of meeting people from all walks of life that someone might never have the chance to meet in their social circles. Volunteering can be especially rewarding for people who have retired or are no longer able to work, and who have discovered that they miss the challenges they had in their working lives, as well as the interaction with colleagues, and even the routine and schedule that employment gave to their day. Volunteering can help fill those gaps.

One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is that it can change one´s perceptions and provide an individual with the opportunity to learn, not only through the work they carry out but also through the people they meet, something which should leave very few people uncomfortable with the idea of exchanging time in the name of volunteering.

Source: bls.gov

Purchase this content for your website...

Pricing:
Usage:	$15	[Add to Cart]
Unique:	$20	[Add to Cart]
Full Rights:	$30	[Add to Cart]

Downloads: 0
Written by: JD
Available File Types:Text
Words: 465