Module 10: Volunteerism

Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected to:

1. Give the meaning and benefits of volunteerism;
2. Name the core values expected of volunteers; and
3. Explore volunteer opportunities that one may engage in.

Overview

This chapter takes up volunteerism- its meaning and benefits, values expected of
volunteers, and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteerism helps hasten and strengthen community development as it promotes

active participation of individuals in different programs and projects that respond to
the needs of community.

Lesson 1: Volunteerism

Volunteerism is the act, practice, or principle of contributing one’s time, talents,

and resources freely to worthwhile purposes without tangible compensation. It is
considered the most fundamental act in the society. It is geared toward good causes
that help alleviate the suffering of others. It promotes peace, solidarity, and trust
among citizens.

Volunteerism can serve in various areas ranging from medical, environmental,

and educational support groups to child protection and human rights advocacies, poll
or election work, peacekeeping missions, and relief operations, to name a few.

Some people consider volunteerism a pastime; others see it as a vocation. Some

volunteers have high-paying jobs and stable careers; others are well known in their
fields. Volunteers could be teachers, doctors, lawyers, or celebrities. They could also
be housewives, students, or retirees.

Regardless of age, economic status, sex, and educational attainment, volunteers

work together toward a common cause for which they commit their time, know-how
and expertise, and sometimes even their own money.

However, one does not become a volunteer by simply raising his/her hand. A
volunteer has to undergo trainings and attend seminars for specific functions or tasks
that he/she volunteers for.
Moore (2002) describes a volunteer as follows:

“A volunteer is a person who is a light to others, giving witness in a mixed-up age,

doing well and willingly the tasks at hand, namely, being aware of another’s need and
doing something about it.

“A volunteer is a person who strives to make other people happy, who takes the
loneliness out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are
unconcered, who has the courage to be a blessing and to say the things that have to
be said for the good of all.

“A volunteer is a person whose charity and fidelity, who is faithful in an unfaithful

world, grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all are grasping, listening when
others need to tell about their fears and problems.

Volunteers are people from all walks of life, all ages and stages, having a
common desire to make a difference in their community and their own life by giving of
their time and expertise. For young people, volunteering brings a new sense of
confidence and self-gratification. It is a good way to interact in the “grown-up world.” It
enables them to develop communication, career-building, and social skills that will be
useful in other facets of their lives.

Benefits of Volunteers

Volunteerism yields the following benefits:

1. Community development
2. Development of the skills of volunteers
3. Peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens
4. Career opportunities for volunteers
5. Friendship among citizens
6. Experience and self-esteem gained by volunteers

Values Expected of Volunteers

Here are some core values expected of volunteers:

1. Commitment. Volunteers are attached to, identified with, and involved in
community service.
2. Professionalism. Volunteers observe work ethics in performing their
responsibilities with socially and morally accepted behavior.
3. Creativity. Volunteers search constantly for new strategies and methods of
doing a task for improved result.
4. Unity. A volunteer supports teamwork to achieve the common goal.
Volunteer Opportunities

The 2001 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering, and Participating shares the
following questionnaire, the answers to which help determine what kind of volunteer
opportunities will be suited to the individual volunteer:

1. If you have all the human and financial resources in the world, what problem
would you solve, what would you change, and what would you create? Your
answers will tell you what matters the most to you.
2. What kind of time commitment are you willing to make? Are you looking for a
regular/weekly volunteer commitment or a short-term/one-time opportunity?
3. Would you like to volunteer with other people or by yourself?
4. Would you like to volunteer from your own home or would you prefer to
volunteer in an organization?
5. If you would like to volunteer away from home, where is the best location for
you – near your home, your work, your child’s care center?
6. Do you have specific skills or talents that you would like to share with an
organization?
7. Would you like to develop a specific skill?
8. What are your personal goal? Would you like to re-enter the workforce or meet
new people?

Potential volunteer opportunities are as follows:

A. Based on the interests of an individual

1. If you like animals, you can help out at an animal shelter or the nearest
zoo.
2. If you like working with kids, you can get involved at a day-care or
preschool center or help younger students with their schoolwork.
3. If you enjoy playing sports, you can play games with the kids at a nearby
sports complex or organize a mini-sports fest.
4. If you like to cook, you can get together with friends and teach moms or
housekeepers new recipes, the latest about food preparation and
preservation, and entrepreneurship opportunities in cooking.
5. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you can teach how to make curtains or
bedspreads, embroider pillowcases and towels, and make unique fashion
accessories at a women’s shelter, nursing home, or orphanage.
6. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can help organize a clean-up drive in your
street or park or help a neighbor plant flower.
7. If you enjoy dancing, singing, and acting, you can participate in your
community’s cultural show group.
8. If your grandparents have passed away or live far away and you do not get
to see them as often you want to, you can make friends with a senior citizen
and adopt him/her as your grandma or grandpa.
 9. If you are interested in foreign culture, you can volunteer at a school that
accepts foreign students.
10.If you are concerned about people with disabilities, you can volunteer at an
agency or institution that care for people with physical or mental disabilities.

B. Based on the future career goal of an individual

1. If you like to work in the medical field, you can volunteer at a community
health center or a government hospital or clinic.
2. If you are interested in teaching, you can volunteer at a public school.
3. If you are interested in science, you can volunteer at the local science
museum or zoo.
4. If you like to work in an office someday, you can volunteer at a non-profit
organization.

Community Service

Community service is identified by the higher educational institution (HEI) in

consultation with the local government, community-based organizations, and non-
governmental organizations as designed to improve the quality of life of community
residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to
their needs. Community service includes the following:

1. First aid training or health care, preschool storytelling, social welfare, social
services, trauma counseling, group dynamics, crime prevention, recreation,
street cleaning, and community improvement
2. Serving in the youth corps are defined in the NSTP Act of 2001
3. Assisting students with disabilities
4. Tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities, and counseling,
including career counseling

Volunteer community-service can be rendered in government offices, private

companies or in any place where services may be needed. Volunteers can also work
from their homes.

Exercise
Name: ____________________________________ Course and Level: _____________

Professor: _________________________________ Date: __________________________

A. On the blank before each number, write the letter that corresponds to you answer.

_________ 1. Volunteers are attached to, identified with, and involved in community
service.

A. Commitment
B. Empowerment
C. Dedication
D. Involvement

_________ 2. Volunteers support teamwork to achieve the common goal.

A. Volunteerism
B. Commitment
C. Immersion
D. Unity

_________ 3. It is the act of freely contributing one’s time, talents, and resources.

A. Participation
B. Commitment
C. Volunteerism
D. Engagement

_________ 4. Volunteers search for new strategies and methods of doing a task for
improved results.

A. System
B. Creativity
C. Desire
D. Unity

_________ 5. Volunteers observe proper work ethics in performing their duties.

A. Professionalism
B. Service
C. Volunteerism
D. Empowerment

B. Write your answers to the questions on the lines provided.

 1. Define volunteerism and give its benefits.

________________________________________________________________________________
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2. List down volunteer opportunities that will best suit you.

________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Explain how volunteering can help provide direction for your future career
goals.

________________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________________

C. Write True on the blank if the statement is correct and False if the statement is
wrong.

_________ 1. Community development entails identifying resources and building up

present strengths.
_________ 2. Volunteerism is geared toward self-improvement.
_________ 3. Creativity is the constant search for new strategies and methods of doing
a task for improved results.
_________ 4. Commitment means that volunteers are attached to, identified with, and
involved in community service.
_________ 5. Volunteerism is the act of freely contributing one’s time, talents, and
resources to worthwhile purposes.
_________ 6. If you like animals, you can volunteer at the zoo.
_________ 7. Volunteerism can be considered a pastime or vocation.
_________ 8. Volunteers could be teachers, doctors, or lawyers.
_________ 9. If you are interested in teaching, you can join a cultural show group.
_________ 10. Housewives cannot be volunteers.
_________ 11. If you enjoy dancing, singing, and acting, you can volunteer in your
community’s preschool program.
_________ 12. If you are interested in science, consider volunteering in a cultural show
group.
_________ 13. Friendships are fostered among citizens.
_________ 14. Community service is identified by the higher educational institution
(HEI) in consultation with the local government.
_________ 15. Volunteer community service can be rendered in government offices.