Dynamics of Volunteering
This morning I’m getting ready to go and volunteer at the Cincinnati Museum. Every fortnight I normally volunteer with a team that is running the Real Pirates exhibition. I’ve been doing this since the exhibition came to town in June and I love it. It’s a great opportunity to invest a Saturday morning and meet diverse people from within and outside the city. Beyond this, the act of volunteering has many other benefits.
Volunteering is life-changing. It is not only an opportunity to make a mark but it also enables you to develop your skills. I have met many people while volunteering who have added tremendous value to my life and received so much from me. Volunteering opens up new experiences that are key to a fruitful and effective life. The joy of volunteering, knowing that you are doing something for someone without any personal rewards, is so exhilarating. Choose to become a volunteer and you will experience life in a new way. Now, there are three ways to approach volunteering:
1. You can use your current skills - the same skills you use in your workday life as a teacher, doctor, lawyer, publicist, or accountant - to make a difference in society. There are many organizations and groups that are looking for people to volunteer in such a way daily. Many people do this because they don’t have to learn new skills and have an opportunity through which they can further utilize their current skills.
2. You can use volunteering as a way to develop new skills you’d like to put on your resume. Diverse opportunities exist for volunteering which can add tremendous value to your skill-sets. Put yourself in places where you can acquire additional skills that will enhance your personal and professional development.
3. You can approach it as a way to take a break from your daily life by doing something completely different. It can be an opportunity to meet other singles, spend time outdoors, be with children (or escape from them) or teach the spirit of giving to your own kids. Define what you’re looking for so that you can find the right opportunity.
Change your life. Discover the power of volunteering and make a mark!
