People often think about the question: “Volunteer - who is it?” But not everyone knows the exact answer. This is a volunteer who does publicly useful work for free, without demanding anything in return. Areas of activity can be quite diverse, but a volunteer always brings kindness, hope and love.
Who is considered a volunteer?
Sometimes people substitute concepts, calling volunteers those who have done a certain job for free. But it is not so. The essence of volunteering is not to not take payment for labor, but to benefit people. Although gratuitousness is considered the principle of volunteerism.
The organization of volunteers will successfully exist only when all volunteers have morality and spirituality. They do good not only in words but also in deeds, doing good deeds and helping people in need. Volunteers want to live and charge others with this energy. To understand why a volunteer is needed, who it is, and how it carries out its activities, it is worth talking to him personally.
The Universal Declaration of Volunteers suggests that a true volunteer should be an example of morality, tolerance, selflessness and be able to cooperate. Helping people, volunteers gain peace of mind and peace, internal discomfort leaves them. This feeling is so attractive and pleasant that a person wants to feel it again and again helps those in need. Social activity not only brings spiritual euphoria, but helps to feel necessary and useful for the world.
The word "volunteer" is of French origin and literally means "willing." The volunteer club can carry out activities throughout the country, improving life and showing an example of a humane attitude. These are voluntary unions of people united by a certain common interest and goals.
Misconceptions about volunteers
Unfortunately, voluntary and unpaid activities are a rarity today. People reflect not only on the question: “Volunteer - who is it?” - but they often sincerely do not understand why he needs it, and why he spends his personal time. This is due to the presence of myths that prevent us from appreciating all the virtues of voluntary work.
The first error
Many people believe that charity is an activity for millionaires or their wives, who have nothing to do. But real volunteers are not those who can help financially. Very often, people who have lost their jobs or are looking for their own way in life are engaged in this activity.
The second error
Voluntary labor is the duty of schoolchildren and students. This is exactly what many people think, remembering the “Subbotniks”. A volunteer who acts at the behest of the heart, prefers to do good deeds constantly, and not participate in one-time forced actions.
The third error
There is an opinion that volunteers are heroic and sacrificial people who are ready to “work hard” for the benefit of others for free. Naturally, it is unlikely that an ordinary average person will be able to engage in socially useful work around the clock, since he also needs money. Volunteering takes a few hours a week, it can be equated with a hobby. Volunteers made their choice: instead of lying on the couch, they help others, enjoying it and exchanging positive emotions with others.
Why become volunteers?
Numerous studies have helped identify the main reasons that encourage people to engage in public affairs for free.
- Awareness of self-worth. It often happens that in their usual work people do not feel that they are in demand. They carry out job duties mechanically, but this does not bring them satisfaction or management praise. Quitting work is not always possible, so people are looking for themselves in other areas. Helping those in need allows them to feel their usefulness, which causes pleasant emotions and increases internal confidence in their own abilities.
- New horizons for communication. This kind of work helps people find new acquaintances, friends and satisfy their communication needs. Volunteering is a great opportunity to improve communication skills and get rid of excessive shyness.
- Career. Sometimes the help of volunteers is useful not only for those in need, but also for the volunteers themselves. Many charitable organizations provide the opportunity for free training, can give recommendations for subsequent employment, or confirm experience in a certain type of work. For future professionals such as psychologists or sociologists, volunteering is the most appropriate way to gain certain skills or improve existing ones.
Where to start helping people?
You can do good deeds on your own, but it’s more advisable to become a member of some non-profit organization. Choosing her is not so easy, so be patient.
After a person fully understands the question: “Volunteer - who is it?” - you need to decide what exactly he wants to do. For this, you can make a list of all organizations and find out the specifics of their activities. It is worth paying attention to those areas that cause the most powerful emotions.
A properly written resume will help to leave a good opinion about yourself. In addition, the organization’s employees will be grateful that their time has been saved, and they even know about the person’s experience and skills before starting a joint activity.
Communicating with other members of the organization will help you learn more about the practical side. Do not be shy to ask questions, volunteers will be happy to tell you everything. The conversation will help the newcomer to form an opinion about the organization and understand what atmosphere reigns inside.
Do not overestimate your capabilities. Often, starting to help people, volunteers are ready to turn mountains or save the world. But this attitude is not very productive, since free work should not interfere with making money. So that enthusiasm does not disappear with time, you need to correctly evaluate your own strengths.
Help animals
To protect animals, special clubs are created in which volunteers gather. Animals are protected from cruelty, promoting a humane attitude towards them.
The main tasks of such organizations include:
- Creation of shelters.
- Sterilization of animals.
- Prevention of cruelty to animals.
- Ensuring the implementation of all requirements and rules for the care of animals.
Everyone can become a member of such organizations; any help is much appreciated. You can walk the animals, help with their transportation, provide them with food, find owners for them or treat them if you have the necessary knowledge and skills.
All the best for children
Social movements, the main purpose of which is to help orphans, are organized by volunteers. Children, in addition to the attention, which is very important for them, give gifts and provide various feasible assistance.
Volunteers are trying to solve the problem of orphanage at all levels. In families that are considered dysfunctional, volunteers carry out so-called “preventive measures”. They help parents realize that if they don’t change their behavior, the appropriate organs will be taken away. And volunteers help orphans to find families.