How to Become A Better Volunteer
We dedicate hours and efforts into volunteering, in hopes that we can create a meaningful impact for our beneficiaries. But, there are times when our work doesn’t exactly generate the type of impact we desire. It might be due to the lack of resources, unfavourable circumstances, receptiveness of beneficiaries and more.
This does not mean that all is lost. Focus on what you can control; be it the sustainability of your campaign or your attitude towards volunteering, these factors make a significant difference towards your efforts. Read on to find out about how you can become a better volunteer — not just for your beneficiaries, but also for yourself as you enhance your learning experience!
1. Maximising the Sustainability of Your Campaign
Long-term campaigns can create more significant outcomes as we get to understand the needs of our beneficiaries better and can improve the programme along the way. This is when one can make systemic change to the people they really care about. Furthermore, beneficiaries will feel like they’re important, boosting their satisfaction level with the project.
Your personal growth will also benefit from longer projects. Your deepened understanding of the community and the project allows for productive self-improvement, and you get to socialise with other volunteers on a more genuine level. These networks will prove to be useful along the way, be it for your career or future volunteer projects.
While it might be difficult for some of us to commit to long term projects, what you can do is stick to an organisation — one that you’re most aligned to in terms of cause and vision.
2. Be Sure of Your Cause and Vision
To truly dedicate yourself to a project, you have to choose one that you’re passionate about. A cause that resonates best with you will motivate you greatly to put in your best for the project.
This doesn’t just apply to the cause you dedicate yourself to, but also the organisation that you’ve chosen to work with. Joining the right organisation will provide you with a greater sense of belonging, which will encourage you to volunteer regularly. Take time to ponder over how you can add value to the organisation, so that you can maximise your outcomes when volunteering.
If you’re looking for skills-based volunteering, check out what opportunities are available for you here!
3. Ask for Referrals or Testimonials
After every volunteering opportunity, approach your mentor for referrals or testimonials. Not only does this help to beef up your portfolio, you’ll be able to gain clarity on what your strengths are. This allows for self-reflection as you think about how you can improve your performance.
Needless to say, referrals and testimonials will make it easier for you to join suitable organisations, as they get credible information from reputable people about how others have benefitted from your contributions.
Volunteering is all about lifting the people we care about dearly. With the above tips, we hope that you can become a better version of yourself and contribute more productively to the people you care about. Happy Volunteering!
About Skills for Good
Skills for Good, a local volunteer-matching organisation, with a base of eclectic volunteers with skills ranging from marketing and communications to information technology to fundraising. We seek to empower volunteers through convenient and meaningful skills-based volunteering opportunities that help social organisations to achieve their mission. Volunteer with us today and wake up tomorrow with the warm and fuzzy sensation of ‘volunesia’.
Author: Ong Zhi Yi
