The Benefits (and Joys) of volunteering!

Written and researched by Grace Okafor. Developed and edited by Ryan Hilary

Like many other organizations, we at PAWS/LA place enormous value on all our volunteers. They are crucial contributors to the effectiveness of our institution, often proving instrumental in executing our projects and initiatives. In short, we couldn’t do what we do without the many volunteers who donate their time and resources on a regular basis. But what does volunteering mean? What are its benefits? What impact do volunteers actually deliver? In this article, guest writer Grace Okafor explores the concept of volunteerism, uncovering its meaning and implications, and examining the substantial influence it can have on the non-profits that rely on it. 

Designed by Ryan Hilary on Canva

What is VOLUNTEERISM?

Volunteerism is the act of contributing free labor to conduct service or support for a nonprofit organization. Volunteering is similar to a job in that the volunteer willingly lends their effort and expertise to a company or organization, but differs in that compensation is not expected; there is no exchange of labor for pay. When an individual volunteers, they do so based on a willingness to aid those in need, to give back to a community or aid a higher purpose. To volunteer is to give up time, resources, and skills for a cause you care about. While valuable work experience may be a side benefit of volunteer work, it is not usually the principle draw, often secondary to a deep-seeded commitment to the cause at hand. People often exchange labor for pay in industries and organizations they do not care about, and some professional skills are developed solely to increase an individual’s professional market value, not because they enjoy the work itself. One can volunteer in a wide variety of ways, from working on-site, to assisting from the comfort of their own home. In both cases, they are lending a helping hand in some fashion to help those who need it most. ​

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING?

Volunteering has a truly vast array of benefits, some tangible, others more abstract, transforming the volunteer from the inside out. I have had the privilege of volunteering in several different industries around Los Angeles, including childcare, the elementary school system, medical clinics, public foundations, and human-service nonprofits. I can personally testify to how revitalizing and fulfilling it is to assist organizations that need help, and to see how this directly impacts the surrounding community. Observing this process motivates me to do more to help those in need and provides a sense of belonging and purpose within a wider community. Volunteering has also influenced my future career path, making me determined to use my interests in law, history, and public policy to benefit vulnerable and disenfranchised communities. In short, volunteerism has impacted my life for the better, providing fulfillment, happiness, validation, motivation, and purpose. It has inspired my thinking, future goals, and new career aspirations. It has even helped heal certain parts of my inner self. ​

WHAT IMPACT DO VOLUNTEERS HAVE?

The total impact that volunteers have on the organizations they serve is difficult to quantify. Few organizations measure volunteer productivity in the same way they might with a salaried employee. Nonetheless, volunteers often take on roles that the organization couldn’t otherwise afford to fill, and in such cases become as important as any paid worker. Volunteers can execute tasks that simply wouldn’t be possible without their involvement, enabling organizations to create new positions within their overall structure. But even in less extreme situations, which require a more casual level of participation, volunteers lighten the workload of often underfunded and overworked teams and enable them to function at a higher level. If not outright enabling a certain process or project, volunteers are almost certainly increasing its efficiency. In this respect, volunteer talent undoubtedly helps organizations expand their scope, reaching increased numbers of people in need and accomplishing more with the resources they have. Less measurable is the decisive human component of volunteer impact, especially when the volunteer is positioned in a forward-facing role, interacting directly with the community. In many cases, volunteers directly touch lives. Non-profits often offer a gleam of hope in this difficult world. By taking even an hour out of their day, a volunteer can amplify the reach and effectiveness of this hope. 

CONCLUSION:

Volunteerism has a significant impact on a number of levels. For the volunteer, the act of giving time and effort often has a transformative effect on their own being, constituting an important stretch of their personal journey towards better personhood. For organizations, the volunteer helps determine what is possible, expanding the scope and effectiveness of existing operations and enabling new initiatives to penetrate broader landscapes of need. For the more vulnerable members of our social order, there is maybe nothing more sustaining than witnessing the sheer humanity of someone who cares enough to help without immediate reward—not to mention the practical benefits of being aided by the kind of well-run, highly-functional organization that volunteers help enable. But the option of volunteering is also a privilege, usually more accessible to those with a reasonably wide latitude of socioeconomic freedom--those who have the time and resources to donate (although many will make considerable sacrifices in time, energy and financial security to break down barriers and "do their part"). The flip side is a richer, more ethically sustainable human experience and a more stable society for all. Make no mistake, anyone can transform lives. Many organizations like Paws/LA are actively looking for volunteers, and it is so easy to get involved! You can go to your chosen organization’s website and look out for messages about volunteering or contact venues via social media, phone, email, or mail. Volunteerism is a transformative experience for everyone involved — let's go out in the world and make it a better place!

To volunteer with Paws/LA, email [email protected] or check here for more info. ​