Volunteering

Benefits of volunteering


 Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on your community. But did you know that it can have many benefits for you too? Here are some reasons to volunteer:

Learn or develop a new skill 

Volunteering is the perfect vehicle to discover something you are really good at and develop a new skill. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.”

It is never too late to learn new skills and no reason why you should stop adding to your knowledge just because you are employed or have finished education. Planning and implementing a major fundraising event can develop goal setting, planning and budgeting skills. Supervising and training other volunteers helps develop supervisory and training skills. These are examples of skills that can enhance a career, but you don’t have to develop skills with the intention of facilitating your career. Painting a mural or making banners could gently push you to discover graphics and artistic talents. Explore your love for music and learn to DJ (disc jockey) so you can offer your newfound flair to llama shows and local youth events. The possibilities are endless.  

Be part of the llama community

No one is an island. We sometimes take for granted the camelid community that we participate in. CAL-ILA, and other camelid organizations, has contributed greatly to our ability to raise and live with alpacas and llamas. Even with all of the efforts to date, there still is a lack of knowledge by the general public and elected officials as to what camelids are.  While a lot of good work has been done, we need your help to bridge that expanding gap through volunteering. Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on alpaca’s and llama’s wellbeing. What better way is there to connect with the camelid community and give a little back? As a volunteer, you certainly return to some of the benefits that living with alpacas and llamas gives you. 

Motivation and sense of achievement

Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely.  Unlike many things in life there is choice involved in volunteering. As a volunteer you have made a decision to help on your own accord, free from pressure to act from others.  Volunteers predominantly express a sense of achievement and motivation, and this is ultimately generated from your desire and enthusiasm to help. Sometimes volunteers are regarded as do-gooders and those that hold that view also assume that one person can never make a difference. It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better.

Boost your career options

There have been many surveys completed showing the benefits to the volunteer of giving your time to a good cause.  Typical results were achieved by a recent survey carried out by TimeBank. It showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses;

Also, if you are thinking of a career change then volunteering is a perfect way to explore new fields. If you have a passion for the arts but have career in computing then why not volunteer to design brochures or decorate at local events? Or if your ambitions are to be a manager why not find out about volunteer opportunities at your local alpaca/llama show – the ideal way to expand your work portfolio in your field and to gain a real insight into your chosen path.

New interests and hobbies

Sometimes we get locked into the “rat-race” of life and volunteering can give an escape from everyday routine and create a balance in our lives. Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing. Help run a youth program or contribute to the website for a few hours a week.  You may want to unleash your frustrated muse and write articles for the newsletter. The energy and sense of fulfillment can carry over to a work situation and sometimes helps to relieve tensions and foster new perspectives for old situations.

Sometimes a volunteer experience can lead you to something you never even thought about or help you discover a hobby or interest you were unaware of. You can strengthen your personal/professional mission and vision by exploring opportunities and expanding your horizons. 

New experiences

Volunteering is a great way to get life experience. Whether you build a library or mail flyers for a local event, you will experience the real world through hands-on work. This guide section has established that volunteers can do almost anything and there are an infinite number of volunteer opportunities.

Meeting a diverse range of people

Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Both the recipients of your volunteer efforts and your co-workers can be a rich source of inspiration and an excellent way to develop your interpersonal skills.  Volunteering also offers an incredible networking opportunity. Not only will you develop lasting personal and professional relationships but it is also a great way to learn about people from all walks of life, different environments, and new industries. Networking is an exciting benefit of volunteering and you can never tell who you will meet or what new information you will learn and what impact this could have on your life.

Send a signal to your employer, teachers, friends and family…

People pay attention to your life outside the environment in which they have direct contact with you. For example, your employer would be interested in the activities that give you a good work-life balance, just as academic institutions are interested in your extra-curricular activities. Volunteering reflects and supports a complete picture of you, and gives real examples of your commitment, dedication and interests. Show people what you are passionate about and maybe you will inspire them too!