Volunteering

**Solaris** · 10-23-2008, 02:56 PM

Do you volunteer regularly? Formed your own programs/groups? Suddenly found yourself in charge when you just wanted to help out? Do you like it? Do you do it just when you have to, or to get ahead? How long have you volunteered? Any favorite events or charities, why?

I have volunteered for things since high school. Most of my favorite activities have involved teaching children, I love their sense of wonder. I recently became the regional coordinator for a charity organization -- this was something I pursued myself. I volunteer at running races, for "causes" and at church. I like it. I like actually doing something with tangible results. I find myself in charge of things a lot when I just wanted to help out. I guess my desire to get a lot done comes through.

**True Rune** · 10-23-2008, 03:15 PM

I help out when I can. I'm not one to go off looking for people to help though. But I do want to help, I normally won't complain when doing it and tell people who do to shut up.
I normally avoid being in charge if I can. Unless it's easy to do and/or the goal is clear, it'd be better for someone else.

**tp6626** · 10-23-2008, 03:21 PM

I'm considering registering as an ambassador / mentor for engineering with my institution. Its a few courses first on education, and then going to schools when required to talk to the children about engineering and help with projects etc.

Ideally, I don't want to spend my whole week working. I'd even prefer not to work for just one company. What would be brilliant would be 2 days per week at one company, 2 days per week at another distinctly different company, 1 day teaching children or young adults, and 1 day learning myself, taking courses / academic qualifications etc...

Unfortunately, this doesn't fit in with the 'real world' very snuggly. So I may have to give up on it, or try to push really hard for it to work. I'm not decided which I'm going to do yet though!

**Exponential** · 10-23-2008, 03:38 PM

Great timing for this question. Volunteering is something i've been looking around at the past few weeks.

I started and run a discussion group where I live (edit: now also run a 2nd group as well...), although that is "just something I do" and i'm also interested in it. Not sure I would consider it volunteering? although; it is free, and other people benefit, so I guess it could be considered that way?

I'm also a new volunteer organiser for another group organising social events, but i'm brand new to that and I haven't really started yet.

I am still looking around for something else. A friend of mine helps out at the Samaritans one evening a week and also suggested I try it... i'm still deciding about it though.

**Solaris** · 10-23-2008, 03:42 PM

Who are The Samaritans?

**tp6626** · 10-23-2008, 03:43 PM

Does anyone have a slight reluctance to volunteering? I sometimes would like to volunteer for good causes, but end up not because of the image it will give me. There are two things that make me wary of the image.

1. I fear people may think I'm doing it just to look good and take the credit for it.
2. I fear that I am already envied by a lot of people for being quite successful in most things I do, and I don't want to give them more reasons to despise me.

Any thoughts?

**Rei** · 10-23-2008, 03:48 PM

I've done volunteering throughout high school both to fulfill my required hours, and to get some "people experience" so I'd have to pry myself out of my own shell.

I do volunteering now to get ahead... and when I have time, I help out at charity events. I've climbed/ran for this cause or that. I like being useful, so if I don't really have anything productive happening, I like to volunteer.

Rei added to this post, 1 minutes and 35 seconds later...

Originally Posted by tp6626
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Does anyone have a slight reluctance to volunteering? I sometimes would like to volunteer for good causes, but end up not because of the image it will give me. There are two things that make me wary of the image.

1. I fear people may think I'm doing it just to look good and take the credit for it.
2. I fear that I am already envied by a lot of people for being quite successful in most things I do, and I don't want to give them more reasons to despise me.

Any thoughts?

My first reaction...
who cares what people think. If it makes you happy, DO IT!

**SimplyOtter** · 10-23-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by tp6626
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Does anyone have a slight reluctance to volunteering? I sometimes would like to volunteer for good causes, but end up not because of the image it will give me. There are two things that make me wary of the image.

1. I fear people may think I'm doing it just to look good and take the credit for it.
2. I fear that I am already envied by a lot of people for being quite successful in most things I do, and I don't want to give them more reasons to despise me.

Any thoughts?

My God, for me is exactly the opposite....
I'd LOVE to volunteer but I always put myself under strenuos working and life situations and never gather enough energy to do it ... it sounds like a terrible excuse but it's true. Honest? A part of me would love to do it not to be seen but TO FEEL a better person. Probably because I'm not that successful in life....
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**Exponential** · 10-23-2008, 03:53 PM

	Originally Posted by Solaris To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Who are The Samaritans?

It's like a free Telephone support line here in the UK where people who are having any difficulties can phone up and just have someone listen to their worries.

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**tp6626** · 10-23-2008, 03:55 PM

	Originally Posted by Exponential To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	It's like a free Telephone support line here in the UK where people who are having any difficulties can phone up and just have someone listen to their worries. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

From what I recall its a charity set up to push Christianity.

**Exponential** · 10-23-2008, 03:56 PM

	Originally Posted by tp6626 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	From what I recall its a charity set up to push Christianity.

No. You might be thinking of the
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
, that's a different thing altogether.

**tp6626** · 10-23-2008, 03:59 PM

	Originally Posted by Exponential To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	No. You might be thinking of the To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , that's a different thing altogether.

Oh yeah sorry you're right. My mistake.

**Monte314** · 10-23-2008, 05:00 PM

I serve on two Boards of Directors, two advisory panels, and various other "volunteer" activities. Sometimes it gets to be too much... but somebody has to do it, and most people are too busy entertaining themselves to try and make a difference.

**Glyph** · 10-23-2008, 05:53 PM

I am one of those people.

I don't volunteer unless i get something directly out of it.

Do i have oppurtunity? Yes,
Do I have the time? Yes.
Are there needy causes near me? Yes.
Do I have the ability to contibute? Absolutely

Do i want to? no.

I'm not defending myself or glorifying my selfishness. Just being honest. I have the time, i just choose to spend it selfishly rather than altruisitically.

I do have the utmost respect and admiration for those that do volunteer.

**Solaris** · 10-23-2008, 10:06 PM

I don't consider what I do to be altruistic, as I'm not sacrificing anything, and I find that I get quite a lot out of it. I like being around people, and since I'm an NT, bars and nightclubs are pretty much out for me (I really just don't like them much). Volunteering gets me out and around a variety of people. I get to do something productive, and it's usually free to volunteer (exceptions being things like mission trips and the like). Plus, there's something I can't quite put my finger on that I really like about it.

I'm fully aware of the benefits to me as well. It does look good on resumes and college stuff (though 29, I plan to return to college soon), but that's still not why I do it. However, I will use that to my advantage if given the chance.

To the person asking if anyone fears volunteering for how they will be perceived -- why do you care? Do you care that you succeeded at other things that you enjoyed? If people want to see me as a goodie two shoes, let them. I am not doing it to impress people, nor to keep up appearances. I am intrinsically motivated to do this, and often thankful for not being one of the people who needs my help (my church visits the homeless).

**Nikita** · 10-23-2008, 10:13 PM

I volunteer...a lot. I never used to care about volunteering, but I wasn't raised in a home where it was ever talked about or encouraged, and when you're a kid you don't exactly need to be encouraged to be selfish. But I've found ways I want to help and am able to help. At one volunteer job, I'm so regular and efficient that I'm held to the standards of a paid employee (which I love, but it can be draining at times since I do it for free) and get some nice perks, too. Ultimately I prefer volunteering my time to being paid for my time, but I don't have a financier, so I just volunteer as much as I can in addition to my job. I have 3 current volunteer jobs and 3 more in the works (one may not pan out, but I'm really hoping it does). I think it's that once you get accustomed to helping people, it's hard to stop. It opens your eyes in ways you can't imagine until you're doing it.

**PortInStorm** · 10-24-2008, 05:00 AM

I like volunteering as long as I have a huge amount of autonomy. Once there's some kind of commitment, I have an incredibly hard time following through afterwards. I just hate giving people power over me like that. If there's no formal commitment, I'm as regular as... what, All Bran?

Once again, I have no idea how I got married.

**punkyplatypus** · 10-24-2008, 08:12 AM

When I part of my church's youth group, I participated in volunteer work, but I haven't since then. I haven't run into many other volunteer opportunities, but then again I'm not really looking. I don't enjoy being part of a group even if it's for a good cause. However, when a family member or friend needs help I'll volunteer then. I don't think that's the kind of volunteer work you're talking about though.
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10-23-2008, 02:56 PM	#1
Solaris Core Member [178%] MBTI: ENTJ Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 7,152	Do you volunteer regularly? Formed your own programs/groups? Suddenly found yourself in charge when you just wanted to help out? Do you like it? Do you do it just when you have to, or to get ahead? How long have you volunteered? Any favorite events or charities, why? I have volunteered for things since high school. Most of my favorite activities have involved teaching children, I love their sense of wonder. I recently became the regional coordinator for a charity organization -- this was something I pursued myself. I volunteer at running races, for "causes" and at church. I like it. I like actually doing something with tangible results. I find myself in charge of things a lot when I just wanted to help out. I guess my desire to get a lot done comes through.
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10-23-2008, 03:15 PM	#2
True Rune Core Member [200%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8,022	I help out when I can. I'm not one to go off looking for people to help though. But I do want to help, I normally won't complain when doing it and tell people who do to shut up. I normally avoid being in charge if I can. Unless it's easy to do and/or the goal is clear, it'd be better for someone else.
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10-23-2008, 03:21 PM	#3
tp6626 Core Member [108%] MBTI: iNTj Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,338	I'm considering registering as an ambassador / mentor for engineering with my institution. Its a few courses first on education, and then going to schools when required to talk to the children about engineering and help with projects etc. Ideally, I don't want to spend my whole week working. I'd even prefer not to work for just one company. What would be brilliant would be 2 days per week at one company, 2 days per week at another distinctly different company, 1 day teaching children or young adults, and 1 day learning myself, taking courses / academic qualifications etc... Unfortunately, this doesn't fit in with the 'real world' very snuggly. So I may have to give up on it, or try to push really hard for it to work. I'm not decided which I'm going to do yet though!
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10-23-2008, 03:38 PM	#4
Exponential Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 100	Great timing for this question. Volunteering is something i've been looking around at the past few weeks. I started and run a discussion group where I live (edit: now also run a 2nd group as well...), although that is "just something I do" and i'm also interested in it. Not sure I would consider it volunteering? although; it is free, and other people benefit, so I guess it could be considered that way? I'm also a new volunteer organiser for another group organising social events, but i'm brand new to that and I haven't really started yet. I am still looking around for something else. A friend of mine helps out at the Samaritans one evening a week and also suggested I try it... i'm still deciding about it though. Last edited by Exponential; 10-24-2008 at 02:40 PM.
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10-23-2008, 03:42 PM	#5
Solaris Core Member [178%] MBTI: ENTJ Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 7,152	Who are The Samaritans?
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10-23-2008, 03:43 PM	#6
tp6626 Core Member [108%] MBTI: iNTj Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,338	Does anyone have a slight reluctance to volunteering? I sometimes would like to volunteer for good causes, but end up not because of the image it will give me. There are two things that make me wary of the image. 1. I fear people may think I'm doing it just to look good and take the credit for it. 2. I fear that I am already envied by a lot of people for being quite successful in most things I do, and I don't want to give them more reasons to despise me. Any thoughts?
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10-23-2008, 05:00 PM	#13
Monte314 Core Member [407%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 16,307	I serve on two Boards of Directors, two advisory panels, and various other "volunteer" activities. Sometimes it gets to be too much... but somebody has to do it, and most people are too busy entertaining themselves to try and make a difference.
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10-23-2008, 05:53 PM	#14
Glyph New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 29	I am one of those people. I don't volunteer unless i get something directly out of it. Do i have oppurtunity? Yes, Do I have the time? Yes. Are there needy causes near me? Yes. Do I have the ability to contibute? Absolutely Do i want to? no. I'm not defending myself or glorifying my selfishness. Just being honest. I have the time, i just choose to spend it selfishly rather than altruisitically. I do have the utmost respect and admiration for those that do volunteer.
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10-23-2008, 10:06 PM	#15
Solaris Core Member [178%] MBTI: ENTJ Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 7,152	I don't consider what I do to be altruistic, as I'm not sacrificing anything, and I find that I get quite a lot out of it. I like being around people, and since I'm an NT, bars and nightclubs are pretty much out for me (I really just don't like them much). Volunteering gets me out and around a variety of people. I get to do something productive, and it's usually free to volunteer (exceptions being things like mission trips and the like). Plus, there's something I can't quite put my finger on that I really like about it. I'm fully aware of the benefits to me as well. It does look good on resumes and college stuff (though 29, I plan to return to college soon), but that's still not why I do it. However, I will use that to my advantage if given the chance. To the person asking if anyone fears volunteering for how they will be perceived -- why do you care? Do you care that you succeeded at other things that you enjoyed? If people want to see me as a goodie two shoes, let them. I am not doing it to impress people, nor to keep up appearances. I am intrinsically motivated to do this, and often thankful for not being one of the people who needs my help (my church visits the homeless).
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10-23-2008, 10:13 PM	#16
Nikita Core Member [555%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 22,213	I volunteer...a lot. I never used to care about volunteering, but I wasn't raised in a home where it was ever talked about or encouraged, and when you're a kid you don't exactly need to be encouraged to be selfish. But I've found ways I want to help and am able to help. At one volunteer job, I'm so regular and efficient that I'm held to the standards of a paid employee (which I love, but it can be draining at times since I do it for free) and get some nice perks, too. Ultimately I prefer volunteering my time to being paid for my time, but I don't have a financier, so I just volunteer as much as I can in addition to my job. I have 3 current volunteer jobs and 3 more in the works (one may not pan out, but I'm really hoping it does). I think it's that once you get accustomed to helping people, it's hard to stop. It opens your eyes in ways you can't imagine until you're doing it.
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10-24-2008, 05:00 AM	#17
PortInStorm Veteran Member [74%] MBTI: INfJ Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,963	I like volunteering as long as I have a huge amount of autonomy. Once there's some kind of commitment, I have an incredibly hard time following through afterwards. I just hate giving people power over me like that. If there's no formal commitment, I'm as regular as... what, All Bran? Once again, I have no idea how I got married.
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10-24-2008, 08:12 AM	#18
punkyplatypus Member [13%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 526	When I part of my church's youth group, I participated in volunteer work, but I haven't since then. I haven't run into many other volunteer opportunities, but then again I'm not really looking. I don't enjoy being part of a group even if it's for a good cause. However, when a family member or friend needs help I'll volunteer then. I don't think that's the kind of volunteer work you're talking about though. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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