Volunteering may seem to some as a service to society for which they do not derive any benefit. You may feel why waste my time, energy and resources when I am not going to get anything in return. But that is not the case. Whatever the volunteering opportunity be, you are definitely benefited in several ways. The first reason why a person should offer to volunteer is because all that we have and are is by the grace of God and the more you give, the more you will receive. If you are at a crossroad and looking for some good job opportunity you may offer to volunteer for some time so that someone seeing your skills and expertise may offer you a good paid job.

You may volunteer in your free time. If you are free during weekends or evenings or your job gives you some time off, you may volunteer to do something for society. It depends on what you love to do and where you have the inclination. Volunteering to be precise comes from the heart, so do something very close to your heart, something you always longed to do but could not accomplish in your regular job. The satisfaction you derive from doing good is worth millions of dollars and the joy you see on a person for whom you willingly worked is really worth the effort. You actually feel nice about yourself and have the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile. Otherwise we just go on with our regular routine and do not stop to think of others…volunteering gives you an opportunity to think of others, serve society and as you pass through this life only once you make sure you are remembered warmly and with all respect.

Just imagine a world where no one volunteered…think of what would have happened if after the Tsunami hit the coasts of Asia, nobody bothered and everyone refused to help, if there were no voluntary doctors, no voluntary help rendered. It would truly have been a sad state of affairs. Volunteering has become a part and parcel of society and it is truly unimaginable to think of a world without it.

Let us consider some scenarios without volunteers. If there were no volunteer coaches or organizers, social and sport activities would be largely affected and there probably would be no sporting events, rugby matches, athletics, no Olympic games, the list is surely endless. Without voluntary fund raisers and organizers would it be possible to host music events, pop concerts or festivals? Imagine what we would do without the free medical advice available to people around the world with so many doctors volunteering? People would die in large numbers if we never had the Red Cross, cave and mountain rescue teams and the Samaritans. We may not have such a beautiful environment if people refused to volunteer and landscape, beautiful places and wildlife would surely be neglected. Huge numbers of old and disabled people and destitute children would be lonely and depressed.

Volunteering is important also because it helps you personally. Volunteering helps to alleviate stress helps you enjoy good health since you have a sense of achievement and satisfaction and studies have even proved that you get a peaceful night’s rest.

It was a bright day, all seemed great…but then I saw a little child peeping through the window of a toy shop with eager eyes looking at that lovely doll…I knew she could not buy it, but I could and then I found myself counting notes over the counter and believe me the ecstasy on that little face was invaluable…worth millions of dollars. This may not be called volunteering but is a small act of kindness to a little girl and when you commit your time, energy and resources to help and provide support to people in need and to organizations with no financial benefit to yourself it is called volunteering.

You may also say that by volunteering you express your citizenship and your commitment to the society as a whole. You commit your time and your energy for the benefit of society and the community as a whole. Volunteering is generally undertaken freely and by personal choice without any concern for financial gain. Volunteering may include a wide range of activities like self help, charity, citizenship, community service, public service, environmental awareness, trustee, member and helper.

Each one sees the act of volunteering in a different way…some feel they are doing an act of kindness, some feel that they should set things in place in society and still others do it to gain new skills and increase job prospects. Whatever it is, volunteering is a noble act where you part with your services free of charge with the goal of brightening someone else’s life or doing something good to society.

We’re just getting settled — so don’t expect too many updates today. In the next few days though, we’ll be starting this website off with posts about volunteer work, how to get started, and hints on how to be the best volunteer you can be! Keep your eyes peeled!