Written by T.J. Mitchell, VYP Chairman, Land Use & Zoning Attorney at Quarles & Brady LLP
April is National Volunteer Month which means there is no better time than now for us to think about the best ways to get involved in our Phoenix community! In addition to positively impacting your community, volunteering is good for you: a 2021 study by the Journal of Happiness Studies showed that people who volunteer are happier than those who do not – and volunteering can also improve your mental health over time. In order to maximize your impact, here are three tips I try to apply in my own life regarding volunteerism:
- Find a cause you believe in. Sure, you can make a positive impact in your community by volunteering one afternoon for an organization you’re not passionate about, but real change is generally made over time via gradual, systematic investments. We’re much more likely to stick with an organization and a volunteering commitment if we are passionate about the goal the organization is attempting to solve/combat/alleviate. In addition, there are so many different worthy causes you can volunteer to support – from working to improve childhood literacy, to spending time with animals in an animal shelter, to serving the hungry in a food kitchen, to building homes for people that need them. If you have a passion, chances are there’s a non-profit that aligns with that passion!
- Be realistic about your commitment level considering your current activities. We’ve all been there – you find out about an incredible new organization and you overcommit, which leads to falling through on your new commitment or current commitments you have already made to work, family, or other organizations. By realistically engaging from the outset, you are increasing the chances that you will remain involved with an organization for the long haul. Depending on your preexisting work and life commitments, maybe volunteering once a week on Saturday mornings doesn’t work for you – or maybe it does. I know in my life, I gravitate to volunteering opportunities that give me the flexibility to fit the volunteering time in between my other work and social commitments. Find what works for you!
- Don’t be afraid to try something new. Nearly any organization you volunteer with is going to be thrilled to have you on-board. However, not ever volunteering opportunity is going to be a fit for every volunteer. As I mentioned previously, real change is made through gradual investment over time – so if you are losing interest in your current organization, don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new – you may just find something that better aligns with your interests.
In 2021 only 23.2% of Americans engaged in formal volunteering, which was down about seven percentage points from the 30% of Americans who volunteered in 2019 before the pandemic. As a result, if you’re even considering volunteering that puts you in the admirable minority. If you need help finding a volunteering opportunity that aligns with your passions, don’t hesitate to reach out [email protected] to put you in touch with some of the Chamber’s many non-profit members. Thank you for making our community a better place to live, work and play!
You must be logged in to post a comment.