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College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Volunteering Essay

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Disclaimer: This paper has been submitted by a student. This is not a sample of the work written by professional academic writers.

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Topic: From what frequent activity do you derive your joy? Why is this activity meaningful to you and how does it shape your perspective on life?

My Volunteer Experience

I personally enjoy helping people with other problem they have because I always try to picture myself in another person’s shoes. I don’t enjoy watching people suffer or being unable to do certain things because I feel that it is every human’s responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s day by just providing my assistance is very important to me because I can help bring ease to people. Volunteering to help others is where I derive my greatest joy from.

In the past few years, my volunteering experiences has allowed me to gain new perspectives on life. For example, when I volunteered at my local hospital, Nassau University Medical Center, in the summer of 2014, I was able to realize why I was such a valuable asset to a hospital as a volunteer. When I originally signed up to volunteer at the hospital, it was because I had to meet a service requirement for my school’s honor society, the Scholar Service Institute. However, after my first week of volunteering, I started to develop a love for helping people.

I realized that in the hospital, volunteers are very much needed because a hospital is a community of people working together to ensure the lives of hundreds of people. In that community of the working people, you have people such as pharmacists, who work hard to make sure that every patient gets their correct medication. However, for the pharmacists to deliver that medication to the different floors of the hospital is very time-consuming, but as a volunteer I was able to ease their job by delivering the medications to all the different floors of the hospital. Reflecting on this experience still brings me joy because I was able to help imperative people of a hospital efficiently get their job done and help patients get better with proper medication.

Another experience of volunteering is the bake sale my friends and I organized on Valentine’s Day of 2016 for Make-A-Wish foundation. We held a bake sale at the parish of our school, St. Mary’s Church. I feel that this experience was one of the most joyful volunteering experiences I was able to have. I felt that my friends and I could aid children of terminal diseases such as Lymphoma by helping them to experience some joy in their life. With the help of the funds of the $334 we raised at our bake sale, Make-A-Wish was able to grant the wishes of these ill children.

Whenever I volunteer, I never think of the personal benefits I will get. I always consider how others will benefit from my assistance. The pleasure of knowing that my assistance in the lives of others can make a difference is all the convincing I need to get out and volunteer.

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My Volunteering Experience

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 721 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, volunteering experience 1: habitat for humanity, volunteering experience 2: local food bank, benefits of volunteering, implications for social change, references:.

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Essay on Volunteering

Students are often asked to write an essay on Volunteering in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Volunteering

Introduction.

Volunteering is a selfless activity where individuals give their time and energy to help others. It’s a way to contribute to society without expecting any monetary rewards.

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering has many benefits. It helps develop new skills, build strong relationships, and foster a sense of community. It also boosts self-esteem and happiness.

In conclusion, volunteering is a noble act that benefits both the individual and society. It’s a great way to make a positive difference in the world.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Volunteering
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Volunteering

250 Words Essay on Volunteering

Volunteering, an altruistic activity where individuals or groups provide services for no financial gain, is a cornerstone of modern society. It is a means of promoting goodwill, fostering social cohesion, and enhancing personal development.

The Essence of Volunteering

Volunteering is not just about giving. It’s a two-way street, offering profound experiences that can change the way we view the world. It provides a sense of purpose, a chance to contribute to a cause we’re passionate about, and an opportunity to connect with diverse communities.

The Impact of Volunteering

The impact of volunteering extends beyond the individual, influencing societal structures. It can bridge the gap between different socio-economic groups, fostering understanding and empathy. In addition, it bolsters community resilience by promoting social integration and providing essential services.

Personal Growth through Volunteering

Volunteering also cultivates personal growth. It enhances skills, broadens perspectives, and fosters a sense of accomplishment. It can boost self-esteem, improve leadership abilities, and promote a sense of belonging, which are essential for mental well-being.

In conclusion, volunteering is an invaluable aspect of our society. It not only contributes to social cohesion and community resilience but also fosters personal growth and development. As we engage in volunteering, we become agents of change, shaping a more compassionate and understanding world.

500 Words Essay on Volunteering

Volunteering is a selfless act, where individuals invest their time, energy, and skills to assist others without expecting any monetary compensation. It is a powerful vehicle for delivering a significant impact in communities and societies. Volunteering can be seen as a journey of personal, professional, and social growth, and it has profound benefits not only for the recipients but also for the volunteers themselves.

Volunteering has a transformative effect on society. It fosters a sense of community, encourages social inclusion, and contributes to a healthier society. When individuals volunteer, they become active agents of change, addressing societal issues like poverty, illiteracy, and inequality. They contribute to the development of resilient communities by providing essential services, building capacities, and promoting social cohesion.

Personal Growth and Development

On a personal level, volunteering provides a platform for individuals to develop new skills, gain practical experience, and build a network of contacts. It helps in personal growth by enhancing self-confidence, fostering empathy, and promoting a sense of achievement. Volunteering can also be a stepping stone to new opportunities, offering a chance to explore different career paths and gain valuable work experience.

Volunteering and Mental Health

Volunteering has been proven to have significant mental health benefits. It provides a sense of purpose and helps combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Engaging in volunteering activities can improve mood, reduce stress, and even contribute to a longer life. It is a form of social interaction that can help individuals feel connected to their community, thus improving their overall well-being.

Challenges in Volunteering

Despite the numerous benefits, volunteering is not without challenges. Issues such as lack of resources, inadequate training, and limited recognition can hinder the volunteering experience. It is essential for organizations to provide adequate support and resources to volunteers to ensure their efforts are productive and rewarding.

In conclusion, volunteering is a powerful and transformative act that benefits both the individual and society. It is a journey of self-discovery and growth, an opportunity to make a difference, and a platform to build stronger, more resilient communities. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, volunteering will continue to play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive, empathetic, and sustainable world. Despite the challenges, the benefits of volunteering far outweigh the obstacles, making it a worthwhile endeavor for all.

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86 Volunteering Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best volunteering topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on volunteering, ❓ research questions about volunteering.

• Volunteering as Extracurricular Activity Today, I am firmly sure that it is a healthy and refreshing experience to be able to participate in extracurricular activities which Thayer Academy offers me as a student and member of the American society.
• Volunteer Tourism The main motivation of this kind of tourism is to volunteer in working for the host community as the tourists learn more about their culture and other things.
• The Food Forward Organization’s Volunteer Management In such a way, the involvement of fully paid employees might change the balance within the company and require reconsidering the approach to working with employees and encouraging them.
• Nursing Volunteering in Vietnam Vietnam, as a low-income country, needs the help of volunteer nurses to offer their skills and services by assisting medical staff in the city’s centers and other places where residents need medical care.
• The Volunteering Impact on Communities As for me, I feel that if I become a volunteer in the nearest future, I will not have enough time to recover from my studies and work, so my contribution will be negligible.
• The Commonpoint Queens Agency’s Volunteer Programs The goal of the agency is to provide social services to the people of Queens and other New York city residents: from mental health counselling to various classes and resources to live.
• Prosocial Behavior, Volunteering, and Donation Nevertheless, it is vital to understand that prosocial behavior is a fundamental factor in contributing to the upbringing of responsible and responsive future generations of the nation, which makes the given subject crucial for discussion.
• “Problems Recruiting Volunteers” by Hager & Brudney As the authors of the article state, “motivation to volunteer is the individual question; recruitment of those volunteers is the organizational one”.
• Annie Wilkinson on Medical Volunteer Profession Annie says that the main meta-task of a volunteer is to always be ready for the fact that their help is needed, the volunteer needs to be psychologically ready all the time.
• Volunteer Management Practices and Retention of Volunteers Volunteer management is the process of choosing and incorporating volunteers into an organization and ensuring that they perform.
• LIFEbeat: Recruiting and Training Volunteers The preventive interventions in the form of talks are supposed to help young people resist negative influences, the urge, and potential pressure to participate in risky behaviors.”Touring, Talking, and Taking Action” is the slogan that […]
• Volunteer Foundation (US-Washington-Olympia) Analysis The foundation will build a home for the elderly people in the society and provide care for them. The foundation will need to use both the in-house managers and external managers for efficient utilization of […]
• Non-Profit Organization: Donors and Volunteers If this method is adopted by a non-profit organization it will them regularly when making decisions to establish the donors and volunteers and prospects to retain and acquire, the donors and volunteers.
• Medical Lab Volunteer: Analysis of Numerous Data It discusses the history and future of the profession of medical laboratory technologists, determines the core activities of the placement and considers the entry into the profession and relevant regulations of the governing body.
• Social Volunteering With Autistic Adults Because I was able to see the courage and strength of people diagnosed with autism and how they value the time they have on this Earth, I recognized how important it was to be open […]
• Volunteer Group Event for Homeless Children Such children will be the pillars of the future generation and hence it becomes a duty for each of us to contribute in making the lives of deprived children better.
• Volunteers in Corporate America The spectrum of theoretical support for the benefits of this type of corporate philanthropy span identification, exchange, social capital, and commitment theories.
• Corporate Volunteer Programs and Their Value Volunteer work affords them the opportunity to indulge in expressing these passions as a way of increasing their general happiness and spiritual fulfillment.
• Corporate Volunteer Programs to Motivate Employees A number of advantages come benefits exist to the employees being used to these programs hence leading to the attraction of the scheme to the employee in action and those that would wish to participate.
• Corporate Volunteer Programs for Employees The employees will show expertise in their work therefore will be able to bring the special knowledge of the community back into the company thus will be helpful in strategizing or drawing a future plan […]
• Corporate Volunteer Programs: Benefits and Challenges Moreover, we should say that such phenomena as volunteer programs could be mutually advantageous, not only to the community but also to the company, which is of the utmost importance.
• How Safe Are Your Kids With Volunteer Coaches? The volunteer coach helps the younger boys with their sports, or he may, more or less automatically, come to the charge of a house or form team, or he may by the same token find […]
• Medical Rovers: Group of Volunteers for Medical Studies I am told that it will take a few months for the experiment results to be properly sorted out and analyzed.
• HR in Event Management: Role of Volunteers Kim and Cuskelly assume that the key purpose of the volunteers is to accompany the athletes, referees and guests of the championship, assist them in hotels, the airport and arena.
• How Volunteers Improve Teaching in Host Countries In order to enable local teachers to use my example in their practice, it would be useful to explain the rationale for specific actions and activities.
• Gender in Peace Corps Volunteers’ Work People from the local culture can be a valuable source of knowledge about gender norms and traditions that affect their society.
• Peace Corps Volunteer’s Behavior Adjustment Issues Integration occurs when a person generates sufficient knowledge about local culture and customs, which enables them to become a part of the school and the local community.
• Australian Volunteers International: Public Relations The intention of this proposal is to endorse a conservation volunteer campaign that is aimed at reducing the pollution levels in China, which is among the countries that have high levels of environmental degradation in […]
• Parent Volunteering in the Early Education Centers The essence of this practice is to make children aware of the colour palette and some of its peculiarities in the process of drawing and make sure all children learn to perform the task accurately […]
• Video Volunteers’ Interventions Against Poverty The project of allowing people from poor communities to produce movies plays a significant role in solving the problems encountered in diverse poor communities.
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• Volunteering: Troubled Teenagers and Healthy Community I would get experience in guiding young people and making them a part of something bigger. I would try to show the kids the other way out, and they would make me a better person.
• Volunteering Effects on Happiness Taking that into consideration, it is necessary to pay an increased attention to the effect that volunteering and all the people connected to it produce on representatives of one of the social groups whose opportunities […]
• Public Service and Volunteers in American Society There is also need for the people to volunteer serving and providing security especially in the overlooked regions of the country.
• Volunteering Phenomenon, Definitions and Benefits Volunteering is significant in making the lives of people better. Volunteering in a particular community brings many benefits to all residents of the area.
• Afya Hospital’s Recruitment of Volunteers One of the processes that need improvement in Afya Hospital is the management of the recruitment of volunteers. The third objective is to streamline the process of empowering volunteers to perform well in the hospital.
• Volunteers Recruitment and Managment Volunteers can be recruited using several methods, including making contacts to the local volunteer center, making use of existing volunteers in the organization, advertising the positions in the media, and announcing the vacancies in the […]
• Volunteering Portfolio: Methodist Church of Britain The volunteers also have something to gain from the act; a volunteer is able to view life from positive perspective, they are able to gain experience in their areas of careers, especially college students and […]
• The Culture of Volunteering in Saudi Arabia In most parts of the world, volunteering is often considered as one of the ways that people give back to the community without the need to provide material or financial aid.
• The Online University Broadcasting Station: Rewarding Volunteers These limitations are the major factors that have led to the recruitment of volunteers in the station. The provision of adequate resources to the volunteers facilitates the activities assigned to them by the organization.
• Ralston Valley Volunteer Fire Department Case The intended promotion should therefore convince these people that there is need to take part in the program and become volunteer firefighters for the common good of the community in times of emergencies.
• Volunteer Tourism: Factors and Contributions Contribution of volunteer tourism to the society According to Domingues and Nojd, most studies on volunteer tourism focus on the personal experiences of volunteer tourism.
• Volunteer Tourism Development According to Broad, the concept of volunteer tourism can only be understood better when it is comprehended from the perspective of the destination of the tourism; the local communities.
• Leadership, Reward Systems, and Training in Volunteering This paper will analyze the causes of understaffing and the importance of compatible leadership styles for efficient management and motivation of volunteers at the broadcasting station of the Online University.
• How We Can Attract Higher Quality Volunteers The reason behind this is connected to the concept of “quality staffing” which is defined by having volunteers that have the capacity to take the initiative to resolve issues, are able to follow instructions promptly, […]
• Volunteering at the Institute for Information Management The Institute for Information Management has worked tirelessly to gain relevance as one of the leading organisations that brings together users of information management systems and the providers of the enabling technologies in a forum […]
• The Development of Volunteer Tourism and Inter-Cultural Exchanges The growth of volunteer tourism product in the market place is as a result of other emerging organizations offering the same services, but indirectly digging from the pockets of the people in the societies.
• Ethical Dilemma: Participation in Volunteer Activities Even though Carolyn Clark was forced by her boss to volunteer her services to the charity program, she ought to realize that there is a need to help the needy in society.
• The Meta-Analyses of Volunteer Tutoring Programmes The review of meta-analysis seeks to establish the effectiveness of volunteer teaching programmes that aim to enhance the academic skills of student in public schools of the United States.
• Management in Agency Volunteer Services The government was ready to work side-by-side with the organization; therefore, AVS had to change its operation strategies to fit the new needs of the bureau.”International Year of Volunteers” The NGO also faced new challenges […]
• Volunteering in Leisure Sector The review shows that individuals are motivated due to the benefits that come with volunteering in the sector and the nature of the activity.
• Volunteer Management Process It safeguards the interests of the volunteers and fortifies the integrity of the organization. The organization should also provide activities that enable the volunteers to enjoy themselves and relieve the pressures of their tasks, for […]
• Volunteering for Horizon House: Homeless Neighbours’ Motivation to Find Jobs To understand and analyze the role of the center in changing the homeless neighbours’ life for better, it is appropriate to focus on the center’s assistance in employing neighbours and developing their job skills with […]
• When the Time to Grow Into a Professional Comes: Trying Out as a Volunteer in a Charity Shop. Experience and Lessons Learned History and background, intentions and hopes It the help of the SMART framework, the experience at the North London Hospice is going to be assessed.
• A Brave Black Regiment: History of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment The black soldiers of the 54th and in other units played a crucial role in helping the union achieve victory in the war.
• How Does Fundraising Affect Volunteering?
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• How Did Immigration Reduce Volunteering in the USA?
• Why Is Volunteering a Good Habit?
• How Can Volunteering Improve the Individual and Social Life of the Elderly?
• What Are Global Standards for Volunteering for Development?
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• Does Volunteering Increase Happiness?
• What Is the Intrinsic Value of Volunteering?
• How Does Volunteering Impact the Organization?
• Why Is Volunteering Important to Society?
• Can Volunteering Help With Depression?
• Which Country Has the Most Volunteering?
• Does Volunteering Improve the Psychosocial Well-Being of Volunteers?
• What Is the Nature of Volunteering?
• Is Volunteering Good for Mental Health?
• How Did COVID-19 Change Volunteering?
• What Are the Ways in Which Volunteering Can Benefit the Life of a Volunteer?
• Why Is Empathy Important in Volunteering?
• How Does Volunteering Improve Well-Being?
• What Is the Philosophy of Volunteering?
• Is Volunteering a Form of Altruism?
• What Are the Pros and Cons of Volunteering?
• Why Is Volunteering in Developing Countries Important?
• Does Volunteering Play a Vital Role in the Country’s Development?
• How Can Volunteering Help Improve the Quality of Life of Others?
• What Is the Importance of Promoting the Culture of Volunteering?
• How Has Volunteering Changed the World?
• When Did International Volunteering Begin in Australia?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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From Passion to Action: The Joy of Volunteerism and how it Elevated my Career

• Post author: admin
• Post published: December 4, 2015
• Post category: Uncategorized

By: Dr. Jonas Nguh

We see people volunteering all the time. Whether they’re visiting the elderly, delivering meals, stuffing envelopes and more. It’s obvious that volunteering helps an individual, group or organization. But let’s face it—volunteering also helps volunteers themselves. When asked the question “Why do you volunteer?” Many people refer to the old adage, “Doing good is its own reward”. Many state the main reason they volunteer is because it makes them feel good. They speak of giving back for all the blessings they’ve been given in life. Some volunteer because they are able to, and they want to help people less able. Others speak of paying it forward—doing good things so that if they are in need, someone might help them. Other more insightful and philosophical reasons are: giving hope and inspiration to those in need; showing people that there are others who care about them; and showing that there can be something good that comes out of an unfortunate situation.

While these are valid and practical reasons, they do not go far enough. The process of volunteering itself enables the individual to gain experience that they may not get elsewhere, such as building their confidence and self-esteem. Two innate qualities that motivate someone to volunteer are — an attitude to learn and experience new things, and a willingness to share one’s experiences and knowledge. Volunteering gives you a lot in return. It is all about the joy of making a difference on the one side, while receiving immense value on the other from the experience of volunteering, meeting people and learning something new.

My passion for volunteering rose out of my deep interest in networking and interacting with others to solve problems. I wanted to collaborate with peers and thus develop my sphere of influence over a period of time. From my own experience, I must say that the success of volunteering is directly proportional to the time spent on improving upon the lessons learnt. I started my volunteering journey through affiliation with local professional networks . This gave me the opportunity to meet my peers, who are involved in addressing common issues and moving an agenda forward. I also learnt that the route to learning is to listen and absorb rather than talk and convey one’s viewpoints. From these network associations, I learned about and acquired Fellow status in various professional associations that would help catapult my career and increase my professional visibility and credibility; Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Distinguished Scholar & Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (FNAP), Nurse Executive- Advanced, Board Certified (ANCC).

This brings to mind the words of Gandhiji who said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them, and volunteering for me, is one such thing. Volunteering has helped me gain sound technical knowledge of relevant issues, helped me perfect my soft skills, gain confidence and credibility to make a good professional impact. Volunteering offered me the opportunity to extend my knowledgebase, to influence the direction of an organization/project, to network with other professionals & business leaders, and, perhaps most important, to have an impact on the next generation. Volunteering, be it to serve a term on a board/council, write an article or a chapter for a textbook, be a presenter or speaker at an industry meeting naturally requires additional time from one’s already busy schedule. For me, though, the benefits from doing so have outweighed the efforts in that it increased my awareness of professional matters as well as being a great way to network with my peers.

I joined the Education Committee of the National Blood Clot Alliance, out of a desire to improve education on this topic and a desire to develop relationships outside of my own organization. Having always had a passion for patient education, volunteering for the Education Committee enabled me to indulge that passion and brought me in contact with many other healthcare professionals many of whom are top leaders in the profession. Volunteering to me is a great way to stay current, improve my skills, expand tool sets, and gain exposure to “a broader set of topics than one may get in their current job.” .

Today, more than 20 years later, when asked the reason I initially decided to volunteer and why I continue to do so, my reasons have expanded to include the following:

Travel opportunities Sheer enjoyment of the work Joy of working with a Group of talented professionals. Maintain relationships and making new friends Networking opportunities Keeping up with practice Giving back to the profession Making a difference in the education of future healthcare professionals Years after initially volunteering, I find that the need to make a difference still matters, but it is the joy of the work and, especially, the people we meet that sustain us in our volunteer efforts. Many of the individuals that I have had the pleasure of serving with are exceptionally talented people. They care deeply about their work, and they challenge me to be my best. I have volunteered for multiple organizations, and the people I’ve met are some of the most dedicated individuals it has ever been my pleasure to know. Volunteers are individuals who have found a passion, a purpose, in their volunteer work. Through their work, they derive a sense of well-being or personal satisfaction. In short, they have found their bliss. So let me ask you. What is your passion? What is your bliss? How will you affect the lives of future generations? Whatever it is, volunteer or support it in whatever way you are able. You’ll be glad you did.

What You Gain

Leadership skills, such as agenda planning, delegating, strategic planning, decision making, and managing virtual teams Collaboration and communication skills, such as brainstorming, negotiating, and developing presentations Competitive advantage, by working on key issues facing the profession Important connections, through professional networking Direct, hands-on experience, in a controlled, supportive environment Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit for certain volunteer activities

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The power of volunteerism

People the world over engage in volunteerism for a great variety of reasons: to help to eliminate poverty and to improve basic health and education, to tackle environmental issues, to reduce the risk of disasters or to combat social exclusion and violent conflict. In all of these fields, volunteerism makes a specific contribution by generating well-being for people and their communities.

Volunteers are motivated by values like those of justice, equality and freedom as expressed in the United Nations Charter. A society which supports and encourages different forms of volunteering is likely to be a society which also promotes the well-being of its citizens.

More than 1 billion people volunteer globally , the majority of them serving in their own countries. Many are in the forefront of efforts to improve the way they and their fellow citizens are governed and engaged. Moreover, volunteers are playing a vital role in making governments worldwide more accountable and responsive to their citizens.

They are working with governments and civil society to hold those in power to account and to represent the voices of those who are often left out of development decisions such as women, youth and marginalized groups. The end result is more inclusive –and ultimately more effective– development.

Volunteerism is a basic expression of human relationships. It is about people’s need to participate in their societies and to feel that they matter to others. We strongly believe that the social relationships intrinsic to volunteer work are critical to individual and community well-being. The ethos of volunteerism is infused with values such as solidarity, reciprocity, mutual trust, belonging and empowerment, all of which contribute significantly to quality of life.

Volunteerism and well-being

People the world over engage in volunteerism for a great variety of reasons: to help to eliminate poverty and to improve basic health and education, to provide safe water supply and adequate sanitation, to tackle environmental issues and climate change, to reduce the risk of disasters or to combat social exclusion and violent conflict. In all of these fields, volunteerism makes a specific contribution by generating well-being for people and their communities.

Volunteerism also forms the backbone of many national and international non-governmental organizations and other civil society organizations, as well as social and political movements. It is present in the public sector and is increasingly a feature of the private sector.

There is a widespread view today that gross domestic product (GDP) does not provide an adequate picture of a society because it does not account for the well-being of individuals and their communities. Nor does it include activities that have an economic value but that fall outside the market and therefore have not, traditionally, been reflected in national accounts.

Where mainstream economics fosters values of self-interest and competition to achieve maximum satisfaction, a focus on well-being finds greater reason to value compassion and cooperation, both core values of volunteerism. The discourse on quality of life and well-being, and its place in the evolving development paradigm, must recognize the solidarity and reciprocal values of volunteerism as part of the dynamics that enhance human wellbeing.

A healthy society is one in which importance is given to formal and informal relationships that facilitate interaction and engagement and thus engender a sense of belonging. It is also one in which there is broad participation by all sections of the population. Communities with these characteristics do better in moving forward to meet common aspirations.

Volunteers are more likely to develop civic skills, to attach more importance to serving the public interest as a personal life goal and to be more politically active. Thus, in going about their voluntary activities, individuals are also cultivating an outlook that contributes to a social environment that nurtures the well-being of all.

State on the World`s Volunteerism

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Volunteering / A Reflection on My Volunteer Experience

A Reflection on My Volunteer Experience

• Category: Life , Business
• Topic: Personal Experience , Strategy , Volunteering

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Volunteerism: Miracles in Action

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