Do we volunteer enough?

Question

As a people do we volunteer enough in the US?

Where can we help out more?

Why don't people volunteer enough?

What motivates you to volunteer?

Answer all or just one, I'm happy with any input

Answer 1

We most certainly don't volunteer enough. Most "established" volunteer organizations have significantly lost efforts in the past years.

I'd like to help out more directly in my community with senior and environmental projects.

My motivation is a finished project.

Answer 2

no we dont volunteer enough.

because people keep to themselves and are selfish in america.

even though there are so many homeless people and whatnot people like to think of it as not their problem....and that irks me to no end.

Answer 3

A large percentage of the poplulation volunteers in one form or another, but there are some who never volunteer, and every charity can always use more help.

I think that some people are raised to value giving to the community and others are not. Our focus in the US on getting rich prevents many from volunteering - they are so focused on getting ahead that they feel they can't afford the time to volunteer.

I am motivated to volunteer by the feeling that it gives me. I also think that I should share my blessings.

While I agree with Jayne in large part about volunteering for non-profits, I think there are many opportunities for volunteers that don't require tremendous resources.

Schools are generally happy to have guest readers or guest speakers, if the volunteer has experience to share which is relevant to a lesson.

Ditto for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

Libraries often have programs for a volunteer to "adopt" a shelf and keep the books orderly.

Civic centers, recreation centers, and similar organizations often seek volunteers to serve on committees and organize activities.

All-volunteer organizations like the PTA, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Lions Club, and other service organizations always welcome volunteers to serve.

And volunteers who want to take it upon themselves to raise funds or awareness for a cause are always appreciated.

Answer 4

Too much emphasis is put on motivating people to volunteer. Observe most organizations answering the phone and their email and you will find many are overwhelmed with requests by people who want to volunteer. The problem is that the organization does not have the resources to involve volunteers.

Volunteers are *never* "free" -- **someone** has to come up with activities for them to do, an orientation for the volunteers to go through about the organization and about the service they will provide, a way to supervise the volunteers to ensure their service is helpful (and not destructive or distracting), a way to recognize the volunteers for their efforts, and a way to report their success to the rest of the organization.  

That "someone" should be a volunteer manager, but that's a very hard position to fill -- it's too much time for a volunteer, but funders think volunteer management is oh-so-simple and don't want to fund the position.

So, campaigns keep being launched again and again to get more people to volunteer... but nothing's ever done to actually make sure organizations can involve all these people.

Answer 5

This is a very good question and no, we do not volunteer enough.  There are so many things we can do such as help someone take their groceries to the car, help in the meals on wheels, volunteer at the nursing homes to just read or sing to the residents there, ask the school if there is a need that you might do to help, help in the church, (I could go on and on)  I think people don't volunteer because they don't think they have that extra few minutes to give and do not realize what gratification they are depriving themselves of by not doing it.  Children are not taught to do it, therefore we have a generation who is not going to know or want to do it either.  I am motivated to do for others by the things that I have seen people do for others and the things people have done for me.  I am so blessed to be able to make a persons days just by smiling or staring a conversation and listening and by doing that I realize that person may have a crisis in their life and need just a little boost.  I hope that you are one of the people in the world that makes a big difference.  God bless you.  -:)

Answer 6

some people don't volunteer enough because they are not aware of what they can contribute and how big their help would be.. i am motivated by the people who are being helped by my volunteer efforts..