Why Volunteer? Good Question!

GIVING AND RECEIVING
Volunteering... it's a way of giving and receiving
When you volunteer, you give part of yourself–your time, energy, skills and feelings. You give to your family and friends, to your neighbours, to your community. Sometimes, you are giving to people you don’t know, to people thousands of miles away.

Giving is one of the reasons why people volunteer. Their contributions to others and to their communities bring them feelings of self-fulfillment and the knowledge that they have made a difference.

Volunteering is also a way of saying thank you. It’s a way of recognizing the countless others who, in big ways and small, have made life richer and better through donations of time and effort. But there is more to volunteering than giving. As a volunteer, you also reap personal benefits and enhance your personal growth. You:

• increase social awareness
• learn through service
• enjoy better health
• gain self-confidence
• discover your strengths and talents
• build a sense of independence
• expand your social circle

And volunteering gets you ready for the workforce.
By volunteering you:

• develop skills
• gain work experience
• explore career options
• develop a job-finding network

With a strong résumé and new skills, you’ll find it easier to strut your stuff to prospective employers, fill out university or college application forms, talk to scholarship or bursary officers, or take on more challenging volunteer positions in the community.

That’s the thing about volunteering. You get as much out of it as you put into it! And often, you get a whole lot more.

So, roll up your sleeves and get involved. Start by reading this booklet. It will answer some of your questions and give you other ideas to think about. It will also show you ways of getting the most out of volunteering.

As a youth, you will find volunteering a great experience. But it doesn’t stop now. By catching the volunteer bug, you will be giving yourself a lifetime of rewarding experiences.

GROWTH CHART
Enhance your personal growth
Volunteering goes beyond your career search. You will find volunteering fulfilling in many other ways.

ENHANCE SOCIAL AWARENESS

As a volunteer working with others, you'll learn to appreciate and work with people's differences. As a result, you'll stay in touch with your community, its needs and issues. Your social awareness will grow through real experience.

LEARN THROUGH SERVICE

Service-learning refers to "helping" activities undertaken by students as part of the regular school curriculum. Service-learning offers young people opportunities to try new tasks and to take on new roles. It is active learning in the familiar environment of the local community. (And often, it gives you a terrific chance to compete in job markets after graduation.)

ENJOY BETTER HEALTH

Volunteering can give your mind, soul, heart, and body a jump-start! You'll be happier and healthier and have a purpose and greater sense of self-satisfaction. Volunteering can even lower your stress level, heighten your immune system and help you sleep better at night.

Many people report feeling healthy and content as a result of their volunteer activities. Go ahead. Give it a try.

GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE

One advantage of volunteering is that you get practice adjusting to new situations, people and experiences. The more practice you get, the greater your self-awareness and self-confidence. You develop the confidence you need when faced with new situations involved in looking for paid work!

DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS AND TALENTS

Volunteering can reveal hidden talents. You may be able to assume responsibilities or take on challenges you didn't know you were capable of.

BUILD A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE

Volunteering empowers you. Many volunteer jobs require you to act independently and take initiative. Such jobs give you a sense of control over your own life: you set your goals, make your choices and follow your routines. When you know your capabilities, you have the power to change your life and the lives of others.

EXPAND YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE

Ask some volunteers why they work without pay. They'll probably say they work for the fun of it. Yes, volunteering is usually fun. Remember, volunteers have chosen their jobs carefully and are appreciated for their contributions. They're doing something for the love of it. Volunteer at a music festival and you'll meet people who love music. Volunteer at a hospital and enjoy the rewards of giving comfort. Volunteer with a community theatre and exercise your talents- not just in acting but in lighting, sound, construction, directing, costumes, makeup, sales and promotion.

.

CAREER OPS
Increase your career opportunities

From a career perspective, volunteering has a lot to offer.

DEVELOP SKILLS

When you volunteer, you gain skills and knowledge that may help you get paid work. You also develop qualities useful in all workplaces: punctuality, dependability, the ability to work on a team and the ability to handle pressure. Then there are your self-management and work-readiness skills. Everyone needs practice in decision making, problem solving and leadership.

GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE

Do you have real, nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty, roll-up-your-sleeves-and- dig-in work experience? The kind employers want. If not, where are you going to get it? You can't get the experience employers want if you can't get a job in the first place…right?

Wrong! Volunteer jobs provide hands-on learning experience. They give you the experience and qualifications necessary to develop a résumé and portfolio.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE WORK WORLD

How are you going to find out which job environment is right for you?

Volunteer. You'll discover the realities of the work world. You'll gain practical knowledge about organizations and how they work on a day-to-day basis.

LEARN TO MARKET YOURSELF

Marketing your best assets will be easier after filling out job application forms and going to interviews in the volunteer world.

EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS

You've got the ability, but what about the suitability? Volunteering gives you a chance to discover whether or not you're really suited to a particular line of work.

Tackling a volunteer position will ease the move from school to work. And if you've been working and want to try something new, take a volunteer job to test the waters before you jump in.

To explore what's right for you:

• select assignments that place you in the type of setting you want to learn about;
• ask for as much training as you can get;
• ask to be promoted to more challenging tasks;
• work side-by-side with professionals who can answer questions about their careers.

NETWORK FOR SUCCESS BY VOLUNTEERING

As a volunteer, you'll meet people from all walks of life and communities. Introduce yourself and let people know what you're interested in and good at. You'll establish relationships you might not otherwise build. All of this is networking and it's the key to finding work. The more people you meet, the greater your chances of finding the work you want.

Network every chance you get. Each new person you meet through your volunteer work-a supervisor, client, supplier or committee member-is a potential lead to new career opportunities. Make sure that the person knows who you are and what you can do. And don't forget to network with other volunteers—their recommendation or tip can be the key to a job.

Find a mentor in your volunteer organization. Following the foot-steps of someone with experience and know-how can fast-track you through the paid employment door.

Networking doesn't require a lot of fancy footwork, but it will help you get a step ahead of the competition.

LIFE LESSONS
Volunteering... value it for life

Volunteering doesn't have to be a one-time experience. For many, it's a lifetime activity. What you gain from volunteering will change. There will always be new skills, new experiences and new feelings of satisfaction. Volunteering is often hard work but it is rarely dull. There may be times when life doesn't allow you to volunteer. But it will always be there when you need it to enrich your life. Take joy in the knowledge that you can always give.

But it will do a whole lot more. It will develop you as a person, too. You will discover new parts of yourself, make friends, try new experiences and know the satisfaction of helping others and being a part of a community.

It's time to think things over. Are you ready to join the work world? If yes, do yourself a favour: volunteer to get a head start. The effort will put you on the road to the job or career you're after.

What are you waiting for? Volunteering Works! You give a little... and you get a lot.