| Motivating volunteers can be a challenge, but may | | | | are the types of friends that are usually the |
| not be if one understands the reasons people | | | | strongest and longest lasting. In addition, there are |
| volunteer. | | | | the new friends they develop in the group that |
| Volunteering means different things to many | | | | they are working to support. They truly |
| people; however, it usually come down to a | | | | appreciate their effort and time. |
| couple of basic reasons. Before we discuss those, | | | | E. They Love Making a Difference |
| let's consider some of the possibilities. | | | | The results are what they really enjoy. They can |
| A. They May Have a Special Reason for | | | | see that they are able to impact others, whether |
| Supporting the Cause | | | | it is providing a repaired or new house for a |
| It is possible that they have had a relative or | | | | family, the right medical apparatus to allow |
| friend that contracted a disease or some physical | | | | someone to function on their own, or a new |
| or mental defect. They see the struggles that | | | | facility to save a protect homeless animals. They |
| their relative or friend has had to go through and | | | | know that they are changing the lives of people |
| they feel that they must do something. It could | | | | and animals for the better. The impact may be |
| be possible to assist in some way to find a cure | | | | small or it could be great, but it is an impact that |
| or improvement in their situation or, if not, to help | | | | they helped produce. |
| someone else in the future that experiences a | | | | F. They Want the Amazing Feeling that Comes |
| similar situation. It becomes personal because the | | | | There is something deep down that we feel when |
| impact is so close to them. It will have a direct | | | | we are able to provide something to a person |
| impact on the volunteers organizations they | | | | that really needs it. That item could be any |
| choose. | | | | number of things, such as, a meal for a day, a |
| B. They May Have a Gut Feel for a Cause Due | | | | house for the rest of their life or the chance to |
| Its Impact on the Nation or the World | | | | learn how to improve their own lives. When they |
| They have had experiences in life that made | | | | do something unselfish for someone else, they |
| them who they are. Motivating volunteers come | | | | are rewarded with an amazing feeling of |
| easier through those experiences when they see | | | | satisfaction. Lo and behold, the next time they |
| their life and the lives of others in a certain | | | | perform some unselfish task, they get that same |
| perspective. That perspective can lead they to | | | | feeling again. It is addictive. |
| act for the greater good. Some examples of | | | | Some of they may be able to add more reasons |
| needs that they feel must be met could be the | | | | why people volunteer. These are six that are at |
| famine in Ethiopia or Aids in Africa. Or it might be | | | | the top of my list. When pressed, I believe most |
| closer to home in their desire to raise money for | | | | people do volunteer for the last two reasons, i.e., |
| a cure for breast cancer. They know they don't | | | | they want to make a difference and they really |
| have the resources to make a dramatic impact | | | | enjoy the feeling of satisfaction. Understanding |
| immediately, but with their help and the help of | | | | these can help in motivating volunteers. |
| others, progress will be made and success will | | | | Let me throw out some volunteer ideas for |
| come. | | | | consideration. |
| C. They Like the Compounding Results | | | | 1. Community Activitiesa. The Veterans |
| When people get together to work for the | | | | Administration Hospitals - care for service |
| benefit of others, there is this strange | | | | personnelb. Red Cross - disaster relief.c. Meals on |
| compounding effect that goes on. First, they see | | | | Wheels - for those in need.d. Generations United - |
| that some group or organization is already | | | | improves lives of children and youth.e. Experience |
| working to meet a goal. Then, they volunteer and | | | | Corps - helps disadvantaged youths.f. Executive |
| are given an assignment. As they work on their | | | | Services Corps Affiliate Network. - services to |
| part and complete the task, they find that their | | | | schools and agencies.g. Volunteers-In-Parks |
| efforts and the efforts of others total up to | | | | Program - help National Parks Service. |
| more that just their sum. It results in "2 + 2 = 5". | | | | 2. Business Areaa. SCOREb. Small Business |
| There is such a great feeling of participating in | | | | Incubators |
| that compounding to know that they are adding | | | | 3. International Opportunitiesa. Orphanage |
| more than just their part. | | | | Outreach - orphaned children in the Dominican |
| D. They Enjoy the Interaction with Others and | | | | Republicb. Global Citizens Network. - preserves |
| Friendships Developed | | | | indigenous cultures, traditions and ecologies.c. |
| The process of working with others that are all | | | | ServiceLeader.org - working via the internet as a |
| on the same page, working for the same goal | | | | virtual volunteer. |
| brings people closer together. One can find great | | | | Whatever reason we may have, it is worth it to |
| friends with some of the kindest people who are | | | | give it a shot and start volunteering. We will really |
| associated with volunteers organizations. These | | | | enjoy it. |