The Joy of Volunteering
Like many non-profit organizations, Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) relies heavily on the hard work of volunteers. A volunteer board of directors oversees the Society’s strategic direction; dedicated volunteer facilitators make our support groups pillars of hope in their communities; and passionate individuals organize local events to help raise funds for the Society’s services.
Many of PSBC’s long-time volunteers are either individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or have a personal connection to someone with PD. Some may be puzzled as to why people who have already taken on so much can afford to do even more. Recent studies have spawned broad social conversations about the tangible benefits of volunteering.
Physical Benefits
Some studies (and subsequent articles in popular news outlets) have claimed that volunteering can improve physical health.
According to a study led by Sarah Konrath at the University of Michigan, not only do volunteers tend to live longer than people who don’t volunteer, but volunteers who are motived by selfless reasons tend to outlive volunteers who may be active out of self-interest.
In a separate study that focuses on the effects of volunteering in older adults, researchers concluded that adults who volunteered at least 4 hours a week tend to have lower blood pressure than their peers (Santi, 2016). It is important to keep in mind that correlation does not equal causation; adults who are engaged with their community might simply be physically active, likely increasing their chances of lower blood pressure. With that in mind, it can’t hurt to get out of the house and to feel good about the work you are doing!
Emotional Benefits
Evidence continues to build in support of the theory that volunteerism has strong emotional benefits. A long-term study published in the British Medical Journal discovered that there is a positive association between volunteering and good mental and emotional health, especially in individuals over 40. In a study of 600 individuals conducted by the Australian Meals on Wheels Association, respondents reported that volunteering contributed to their overall sense of belonging and purpose while establishing friendship and social ties (Broer, 2016).
Three Steps to Volunteering
Choose a cause that is near and dear to your heart.
The greater you care about a cause, the more likely it is that you will volunteer for a longer period of time. Additionally, many organizations have a mandate to directly engage with individuals who have a connection to their mission – making your involvement mutually beneficial.
Assess your skillset.
This can go one of two ways. If you have a strong skillset that is in high demand, you may want to search specifically for roles that require your expertise. Is there a gap in your knowledge? This could be an excellent opportunity to learn and grow, but you may want to be up front about wanting to learn and work alongside a mentor.
Be realistic.
We’ve established that volunteering is a valuable activity for many. Before getting swept away with any type of project, it is important to honestly examine your current lifestyle. How many hours a week can you reasonably commit to? Are there times of the year you are unavailable? Are you willing to commute to and from a volunteer position? These are just some of the questions you should take into consideration before you begin to reach out to others about volunteer roles.
Additionally, once you’ve taken on a position, be honest and self-reflective about the role. Sometimes, a volunteer opportunity that seems ideal at first is just not a good fit. Don’t be afraid to communicate clearly with your supervisor or volunteer coordinator. It is more likely that they will try to find another way you can help rather than recruit someone entirely new.
Sources
Broer, S. (2016, October 6). Volunteering has knock-on effects for health and wellbeing. Australian Ageing Agenda. Retrieved from: http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2016/10/06/volunteering-knock-effects-health-wellbeing/
Ramos, R. et. al. (2015). Busy yet socially engaged: volunteering, work-life balance, and health in the working population. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 52(2), 164-172. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25654517
Santi, J. (2016). The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving (2nd edition). New York, NY: Tarcher Perigree.
This content was published in the Winter 2016 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.