by Tanner Francisco

In the literal sense of the word, volunteerism is the practice of someone working without financial gain (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2009). While this definition is very concise and dry it implies that people only work and only not-for-money when they are volunteering. Volunteerism does not have to be work nor without rewards. The concept of volunteerism is often associated with altruism, the act of doing something for someone else without any reward, i.e., selflessness. While altruism has been attacked by philosophers for centuries—because no one would help someone else for no reason—they are attacking it for its literal definition, not the idea it implies. Altruistic behavior is intended to promote good or to improve the quality of life for another person. Therefore, I would define altruism as volunteerism and vice versa in many instances or rather that volunteerism is altruistic.

The benefits of volunteerism have a broad range. The economic benefit of volunteerism is that activities undertaken by volunteers would otherwise have to be financed by the State or private capital. Volunteering thus increases the economic output of a nation/community and reduces the burden of government spending (Pifer 1987).

The social benefit of volunteerism is that volunteering helps bring people together and build a more cohesive community. Volunteering within a community fosters trust between members and developes feelings of reciprocity and solidarity. These traits are necessary in a stable community (Pifer 1987).

The career benefits of volunteering are that students can make contacts and gain experience working with people and in specialized fields (Pifer 1987). Volunteering allows people to gain experience and education without a financial cost to the individual or their employer. Scholarship applicants also benefit because a resume containing volunteer works in more impressive than one without (Swift 1991).

The individual personal benefits of volunteering include increased self-esteem, appreciation for one’s way of life, acquiring new skills, learning about how less fortunate people live, reduced ingorance and increased empathy, the opportunity to give back to a community which has helped you, and to simply do something good for someone else and knowing that they appreciate it. There are many more personal benefits to volunteerism than there are others.

If none of the other benefits appeal to you then you should still volunteer because it will make you FEEL GOOD. When life gets me down, I understand that it could still be worse because I have seen worse. I have helped people in much worse situations than my own. Even in our economic hardship, our tiring days of studying and tests, careers, families, and all the other stresses we face, somewhere in the world is someone who is poorer than you, lonelier than you, sicker than you, sadder than you, and that needs help. You can be that help. Helping someone less fortunate than yourself means a lot to them, and it can mean a lot to you as well.

If you have to give up a few hours of your day, or get tired, or miss the latest episode of “Tia Tequilla Wants a 4th Boyfriend”, the difference you can make to someone else is always worth it.

Give volunteering a try and I promise that you will enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes from making another human beings day, month, year, or lifetime better.

It is the holiday season, and the easiest gift to give is yourself.

This is a slide show representing my volunteer experiences over the last year.

Cutline: Volunteering is an act which both humbles and builds pride simultaneously. Few other experiences can rival the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing someone else’s dire situation, helping them when no one else will, and making a difference in their lives. Volunteerism benefits Ames by assisting with charities such as shelter services, in-home assistance, meal programs, clothing closets, litter removal, and landscaping in Ames’ parks. Volunteerism and community service frees up significant government funding which can then be spent on additional philanthropic programs.

http://courses.jlmc.iastate.edu/wp/pr305-1/files/2009/12/My-Volunteer-Experience1.mov

The 10,000 Hours Show

The Volunteer Center of Story County is part of The 10,000 Hours Show, which encourages volunteering in the community by offering a free and fun recognition event in the spring. This is an exclusive event for only those who provide 10 or more hours of volunteer service to an approved organization.

Past events have included concerts by big-name artists such as Cake, Jet, Ben Folds, Guster, and Augustana.

What are you waiting for?? Sign up!

Click the videos to watch.

FDR started the Civilian Conservation Corps, JFK created the Peace Corps, and Lyndon B. Johnson fulfilled JFK’s dream of a domestic Peace Corps by creating VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).

In his 1989 Inaugural address, George H.W. Bush said, “I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding.” And it goes on. He created the Commission on National and Community Service to support his service agenda.

Then President Clinton started the AmeriCorps program, which is increasingly growing in popularity.

Most recently, President Obama signed the Kennedy Serve America act into law, boosting the budget for AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service, launching the United We Serve Campaign, and making civic engagement central to his presidency.

Thanks to support from the national level, in recent years we’ve seen record surges in American volunteering. Schools engage their students in service learning, businesses support employee volunteering, and industries such as the entertainment industry shine the spotlight on service.

Michelle Nunn, the CEO of the Points of Light Institute, leaves us with this thought from her blog on the Huffington Post Impact page:

“With challenges like unemployment, the drop-out crisis, prisoner reentry and environmental degradation looming across our communities, the call to citizens to step up and make a difference has never been more important.

Stage One: service through government. Stage Two: service through community. And now Stage Three: Service central to our national priorities.

Twenty years after Bush’s Points of Light, Obama’s call to service comes not a moment too soon.”

Photos and Cutlines                                                                         Tanner Francisco

Photo illustration by Tanner Francisco.

The student run organization, Students in Action, invites high school and college students to volunteer within their community.  Students in Action is associated with the Volunteer Center of Story County. The office is located at 130 S. Sheldon Avenue just west of Campustown in Ames in the Collegiate Methodist Annex building. As the need continues to rise, Students in Action believes that everyone should volunteer to help their neighbors just by giving them their time and attention.

Photo illustration by Tanner Francisco.

Students in Action is a student-run organization founded on volunteerism and community service. The organization benefits Ames by assisting with charity such as meal programs as well as litter removal and landscaping in Ames’ parks. Every month high school and college students participate in at least one volunteering activity. Volunteers assisting with parks around Ames gives the community a pleasant and affordable place to go with their families. Picking up trash and litter frees up significant funding which can then be spent on more philanthropic ways.

Printable Version Here –>Photos and Cutlines

Students in Action

Fact Sheet

• The Ames community is not immune to the financial crisis our country is facing.

• Fifty percent of the Ames population are college students.

• Students have the energy and expertise to help others through volunteering.

• Few students volunteer except when they will get academic credit for it.

• Want to help others but can’t afford to donate to charity?          Volunteer!

• Volunteerism and community service goes beyond helping one person at a time. It gives people someone to admire and inspires them to help others too.

• Students in Action gives high school and college students in Story County the opportunity to develop leadership skills, volunteer experience, and philanthropic behavior while helping people their community.

• President Obama is calling to us to volunteer in our communities and strengthen our interpersonal and community ties.

• Your time, service, and compassion are more valuable than you will ever know without putting them to use. Increased volunteerism on the part of ISU students can greatly influence the Ames community.

• Now is the time for Action.

Fact Sheet — Students in Action

Attached is a memo template I created with a letterhead of the Volunteer Center’s “red heart” logo. Just fill in Your name and Your information and you are good to go. Feel free to use this for school assignments or when communicating between and within the organization.

–Tanner

Volunteer Center Letterhead Memo Template by T.Francisco