NewBonk

I like to volunteer with several different groups in my community. Friends and family often comment what a great person I am to volunteer, but what they don't seem to understand I get just as much, if not more value from the volunteering compared to the value I provide to the recipients of my time and effort.

Does anyone understand what I'm talking about or share my opinion of experience of volunteerism?

lafemmefatale

I know what you mean but.......well when you're a student no one ever takes you seriously, even when you're volunteering through the kindness of your heart [honestly ] people find reason to believe you're doing it for something...like reference, or experience...and not really sincere about the volunteering. Ugh. It's a sort of prejudice that anyone who's under 30 is lazy and refuse to contribute to a worthy cause in society. But i enjoy volunteering a lot. It's much more worthwhile than just milling about, and it's fun when you find a worthy cause.

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-poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another-

NewBonk

I actually encounter this in one of my groups quite a bit - the volunteer oppertunity looks great on a resume for college kids. The ones that behave like the work is beneath them because they plan on graduating and moving up in the world are weeded out quickly.

Those that took the oppertunity to volunteer because, while it does look good on their resume for when they get out of college, the work inspires them to learn, work hard and help people.

Rodney

Sure. Aside from helping a worthy cause -- and if you don't think the cause is worthy, you shouldn't be there -- volunteerism teaches you, stretches you, and (at its best) gives you something much more worthy and satisfying to accomplish than merely sitting behind a desk or counter all day and gathering money for the Man. And that's not even counting all the cool people you meet and getting to know better what's happening in your community.

Most of us live our lives in a narrow rut. Volunteerism gets you out of it, broadens you. By helping others, you grow yourself.

Cynthetiq

I used to volunteer a lot even after college. It's because I like to touch people and their lives.

I don't care what other people think about it. I've not done it in several years because I've been working on my own personal goals, but soon enough I will find a way to dovetail it back into my life because I miss it.

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ForgottenKnight

I volunteered through High School at the local chapter of the American Red Cross. It was great, and had soo many advantages! Then I went off to college and haven't had the time . Hopefully I'll have time to volunteer again sometime in the future.

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"People say I'm strange, does that make me a stranger?"

galaxygirl

I have volunteered since I was in middle school (as a candy striper at the hospital),. Last year I finshed up a year and a half as an Americorp*VISTA. They swear you in, which I thought was a bit hokey, but part of the oath you take is that your time in Americorps will be a year in a lifetime of service. I like that concept. I said yes to a few too many projects at my son's school over the last few years, so I am scaling back this year. I managed to only volunteer to man the phones to round up supplies for the holiday parties (i.e room parent).

New Bonk has a great point - seeing the results of your work is a wonderful feeling.

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Drawing strength from His acceptance, offering all that I am and ever will be