Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteers are an integral part of the workforce with many different organizations.  A volunteer is defined as a person who did unpaid work through or for an organization. In February 2012, The Bureau of Labor Statistics released statistics about volunteering from September 2010 to September 2011.    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from September 2010 to September 2011 64.3 million people volunteered at least once.  When comparing men and women, women volunteered at a higher rate than men did across all major demographic characteristics including but not limited to: age, education, and race (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012)

It was seen that people in the 35 to 44 year-old and 45 to 54 year-old age groups were the most likely to volunteer. In terms of race, whites volunteered at a higher rate than blacks, Asians, and Hispanics.  In general, people with higher levels of education volunteered at higher rates than people with less education.  Among people 25 and older, 42.4 percent of college graduates volunteered compared to 29.5 percent of people with some college or an associates degree, and 18.2 percent of high school graduates.  In terms of hours spent volunteering, volunteers spent a median of 51 hours volunteering.  Volunteers aged 65 and older volunteered a median of 96 hours, and volunteers 25 to 34 years-old volunteered a median of 32 hours (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012).

Where can I volunteer?

There are many ways one can volunteer in a community.  Some of these include: religious organizations, education, youth service, social organizations, community service organizations, and more.  From September 2010 to September 2011, the most common organizations to volunteer for were religious organizations, followed by education and youth service organizations, health settings, and social and community service organizations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012).  

One way to find an organization or activity to volunteer with is to visit www.volunteermatch.org.  On this site, one can simply input their location and different volunteer opportunities and contact information will be presented.  It is important for a person to find a volunteer position that they would enjoy, are capable of doing, and to make sure that their commitment matches the organization’s needs.  Questions that a person can ask themselves to help them find the right opportunity include: “Would I like to work with people or in solitude,” “Am I better behind the scenes or would I prefer to take a more visible role?” “How much time am I willing to commit?” “What skills can I bring to a volunteer job?” and “What causes are important to me?” (Help Guide, 2012).  

What are the Benefits of Volunteering?

It is clear that volunteering has a positive impact on the community.  However, the benefits of volunteering can also impact the volunteer.  First, volunteering connects one to others.  It can help a person make new friends and contacts, as well as increasing one’s social and relationship skills.  Volunteering is good for one’s mind and body by increasing self-confidence, combating depression, and staying physically healthy.   Studies have shown that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not (Help Guide, 2012). 

Next, volunteering can advance your career by providing career experience and teaching valuable job skills.  A survey in the UK showed that “73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without” (World Volunteer Web, 2005).  Further, “94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted” (World Volunteer Web, 2005).  

How can I Volunteer in Kirksville? 

As mentioned before, common places to volunteer are health settings, which include hospitals.  A main benefit of volunteering in a hospital is to bring hope and happiness to the patients. At Northeast Regional Medical Center (NRMC) in Kirksville, Missouri, there are many different ways one can volunteer.  These include: All Around Awesome Volunteers, which are general all around helpers, chaplain volunteers, department volunteers, director assistant volunteers, emergency room volunteers, health and fitness volunteers, information desk volunteers, unit host volunteers, and waiting room host volunteers (Northeast Regional Medical Center, 2012).  

At NRMC specifically, there are four easy steps to become a volunteer.  First, visit http://www.nermc.com/Community%20Relations/Pages/Volunteers.aspx.  From this page, one can access the online application.  Within the online application, a letter of recommendation must be included.  Next, a 30-minute interview will be set up to determine one’s hopes, goals, and the correct placement for one as a volunteer.  After the interview, one will need to attend the three-hour New Volunteer Orientation.  Finally, at orientation, a drug screen will be scheduled.  Drug screens are required for all healthcare professionals and volunteers (Northeast Regional Medical Center, 2012).  

Works Cited

Northeast Regional Medical Center.  (2012).  Volunteer Ideas.  Retrieved from http://www.nermc.com/Community%20Relations/Pages/Volunteers.aspx

Saisan, J., Smith, M., & Kemp, G.  (2012).  Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits.  Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/life/volunteer_opportunities_benefits_volunteering.htm

United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012).  Volunteering in the United States, 2011.  Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm

Volunteer Match.  (2012).  Find a Great Place to Volunteer.  Retrieved from http://www.volunteermatch.org/

World Volunteer Web.  (2005).  Benefits of volunteering.  Retrieved from http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/resources/how-to-guides/volunteer/doc/benefits-of-volunteering.html