Why do you volunteer?

Whenever this question is asked, I would often hear these words “passion”, “empathy”, “contribute back to society” and “do good” in the answers.
Do all these mean the same to different individuals who may have hidden agenda, those who advocates for a certain cause or those who genuinely want to help?

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Observing the people and friends that I know who volunteer for various causes and in different organisations, there are a few reasons that I can conclude on why people volunteer.

One group will comprise of volunteers who cannot wait to tell the whole world that they have distributed food ration to the seniors or organized a party for the low income families through photographs on social media like Facebook. Carefully angled and posed photographs showing the happy faces of both beneficiaries and volunteers (in their organization T-shirts) will be shared and posted on social media after every event.

The photographs on social media are excellent platforms for volunteers’ recruitment and to promote the good cause of the organization. On the flip side, volunteers may use the photographs to glorify themselves especially if an important guest or a renowned public personality was also involved in the project. A common observation is that such volunteer will not be seen if there is no presence of a prominent guest.

Sad to say, it is a known fact that these ‘street-smart’ volunteers will only be seen ‘busy at work’ where they are visible to many or when the President is around. More so when there is media publicity for the event, this person can know how to position himself in the limelight. I do take my hat off to this individual who puts in effort to strategise his every move and action.

Sitting on the same side of the fence are volunteers who compete with one another to gain power and position. Titles and senior designations play an important role to these volunteers who manipulate other volunteers to gain popularity and form cliques in order to fulfill their goals.

It is however positive and motivating to know of volunteers who are so passionate in what they do that they give their all - time, energy, money.
They are committed to the cause of the organization and most of the time, are initiators to new projects. Many of these devoted volunteers are the ones that work silently that sometimes, they seem non-existent. Without the commitment of the volunteers, non-profit organization cannot operate to provide targeted services to the beneficiaries.

I have full admiration for the volunteers who continue to help despite the challenges they face in their own lives. They do not vie for fame or power but understand the plight of those they help. It is reflected through one’s actions and words whether you volunteer with your heart or just ‘feel good’ to be in the same flock.

Needless to say, the people (volunteers) and management in an organization can be a pulling factor to attract and retain volunteers or a ‘push off’ where volunteers will not stay long with high management turnover.

Are you volunteering in any organization?
Do share your thoughts and experiences.

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