Why should you volunteer

Volunteering, is it still in fashion?? Are there any people who still volunteer and why should you do it in the first place? A column online today about unpaid work. What the pros and cons are and why it might not be for you at all.

Or do.

When are you a volunteer

When are you a volunteer? You are a volunteer, if you do work of your own free will, outside of regular employment. In general, this work is unpaid, or the compensation is lower than the minimum wage for paid work.

Why should you volunteer?

Volunteering is a great way to meet other people and expand your network. In this work, for which you often do not get paid, you come into contact with others who share your interests. So you can be involved as a volunteer with an association, a foundation or at school. You can be involved in something small but obviously also have a big role within an organization.

The advantage is also that you get to know new people and new skills.

What are the disadvantages?

Disadvantages of volunteering can be that it is unpaid work, which makes people less inclined to walk. Working with a deadline, for example, is difficult when you have to do everything in your spare time. You may also have many plans in mind, but may not be able to get anyone to join you, or there is no money for them.

These are things that can be quite frustrating, as well as the fact that it can take up a lot of time.

How to become a volunteer

Often it is a commitment that makes you become a volunteer. For example, I myself am a volunteer with the Association of Hirschsprung’s Disease. Hirschsprung’s disease is a chronic intestinal illness which both our children have. A few years ago I joined the association as a volunteer and am involved as an editorial board member of the magazine we publish, the newsletters and an information book.

It is voluntary, of course, but great fun. I learn a lot, talk to other people, but it also takes a lot of time.

Volunteering takes time

Be aware that volunteering takes time. Since you don’t get paid for this, you may have to really push yourself to do it once in a while. Yet it can also provide relaxation in addition to your regular job.

Volunteering is often very different from what you normally do. This can be very energizing.

It feels good

Volunteer work gives a good feeling. You do something for someone else. This can be something big, but also something small. So our youngest son is an ambassador for Stichting Opkikker and collects old phones in. He enjoys doing this and the neighbors know where to find us.

He is also rewarded for this, because every year we are invited to an ambassador day. But even without this day my son likes to dedicate himself to this foundation.

You get a lot in return

Volunteering may take a lot of time and you may not always get what you envision, but it is a lot of fun. You get to know new people, new work and, as for me, it is an extension of what I do and I only learn from it.