It's a horrific word that can strike fear in the hearts of those that hear it. Some feel anxiety and start to sweat when confronted with it. It is a haunting word that is said to cause even the bravest person to turn and run. While others run, a few stand up and answer the call back with a resounding "yes"! No one is immune to hearing it, though some will take incredible steps to avoid it...
"We need VOLUNTEERS"...
Friends abandon each other and many strangers turn a blind eye or make excuses. "I'm too busy...I don't know how...I'm sorry, no....I can't...Let me get back to you..."
It's true that we lead busier lives than perhaps our grandparents did. We're always rushing, never rested, stressed, and feeling overwhelmed. When being asked to volunteer for something, we often think of ourselves and the "WIIFM" princple (what's in it for me). We're being asked to sacrifice one of our most precious resources...time, and without any visible payoff for ourselves.
As a result, those people who are seeking volunteers, are often required to pick up the workload themselves. Something that should be done by 10 people, is done by only 2-3. The burden on these people is extreme and without the support of others, they often burn out or walk away from it the next year, not willing to put themselves through the chaos again.
I see this so often in my own life and maybe you do too. As a teacher, I get involved in a number of extra-curriculars at school. I've been warned by family and friends that I'm doing too much, and it's true...I'm exhausted and overwhelmed. I have no lunch hours or after-school time until at least mid-November because of the things I've committed to. It's not healthy. But when I tried to say no to coaching/hosting/advising one of these commitments this year, I was approached by the organizer who told me that they couldn't get anyone else to volunteer. Would I re-consider?
Every year, our church puts on a Turkey dinner. Being family or friends with a good number of the organizers, I see the hard work that goes into running such an event. By the time Sunday rolls around, over 550 people will have eaten in 2.5 hrs. The prepwork, cooking, cleaning, and organizing that goes into this event is incredible. And every year, the organizers have to fight tooth and nail for volunteers. People, who would normally drop by and say hi, start avoiding them in mid-October. Phone calls for help go unanswered and some of those closest to the organizers run around trying to support and fill in the blanks.
With such busy lives, is it any wonder we'd shy away from something that seems to threaten the precarious balance of our crazy schedules? We crave stress-free moments of peace, happiness, laughter, friendship, and relaxation. In fact, we'll pay pricey spa fees and travel costs to find it. What many don't realize is that there are volunteer opportunities that will provide all of these benefits, plus more, and for a fraction of the cost!
Volunteering sometimes comes with the stigma of being a huge commitment, a drain on personal resources, and an exhausting experience. I suspect a lot of this comes from watching those tired few who have picked up the mantle and forged ahead while lacking the support of others. Why would you want to volunteer when it seems that everyone taking part is exhausted by the end of it? What they don't realize is that if others had stepped forward to help, the load would have been less. Many hands, do after all, make for lighter work.
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| photo credits: www.volunteer.ie |
Winston Churchill put it this way. "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give".
