The Emergen Bloggers Tribute to the International Year of the Volunteer

emergenactivating emerging leaders

Welcome

How exciting! Emergen’s second Blogging for a Cause ebook on thetopic that is very close to my heart, volunteering! We have such awealth of young volunteers on Emergen and I’m so appreciative thatyou’ve shared your time and knowledge to create this ebook.

Emergenhas had somuchgrowth over the past year, asmembers havestepped forward and become co-creators of this community. Bloggingon Emergen has become a clear avenue for young leaders to build theirpersonal brand, develop their personal and professional connectionsand learn more about themselves and others through the wholeprocess.

Thanks again to Janine Ripper for being such an effective and inspiringleader in the blogging space, not only on Emergen but through her ownpersonal blogging endeavours too. You give us all a role model to lookup to.

Emergen Creator Alicia Curtis

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Welcome to theEmergenBloggers Tribute to the10th anniversaryof the International Year of the Volunteer.This booklet is a compilation of blog posts from the Blogging fora Cause event held for National Volunteer Week 2011.Thank you to everyone who contributed their stories...I do admitthe more I read back over each post, the more inspired I am bythe work that is being done by the young volunteers on Emergen!I feel so blessed to have joined Emergen, and to also be in aposition to see you all shine and to share your stories with thoseoutside of the Emergen community.A special thanks to Alicia who continues to be a shining leader andamazing support to developing the blogging space on Emergen,to the Blogging for a Cause concept, and to myself and the otherEmergen Bloggers - be it new, or old hands.Together 'we can be the change you wish to see in the world'

- Gandhi

Emergen Blogging CoordinatorJanine Ripper

© Emergen 2011 – 2012.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this materialwithout express and written permission is strictlyprohibited.

Thanks to the Emergen Bloggers and Stock.Xchnghttp://www.sxc.hu/ for the use of their images.

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Table of Contents

6 Giving: The 10th Anniversary of the International Yearof the Volunteer - Amanda Joseph

8 Things to Consider Before Volunteering - Janine Ripper

9 Reaching Out to the Youth Within - Ally Millington

10 Volunteering: The Fastest Way To Learn - Jarrad Brown

12 Your Greatest Intentions Will Never Be Seen - BelindaVecchio

14 Volunteering As Early Intervention - Lauren Taylor

16 The Rotaract Family - Piri Altraide

18 Volunteering Can Help Your Career - Alicia Curtis

20 Volunteering Rocks My World - Tiang Cheng

22 The Gift of Volunteering - Mei-Li Huang

24 Volunteering To Help Tiny Paws - Alexander Kerr

26 Organisation In Profile: Uniting Aid - Janine Ripper

29 Helping in a Time of Need - Eva-Marie

30 Doing Things From the Heart - Almetra Bethlehem

32 Volunteering in South Africa - Tanya Dupagne

34 My Experience Volunteering with JCI - Don Bales

35 Please Don't Pay Me - Jenny Geale

38 Move Outside Yourself - Marisa Wikramanayake

40 Maybe I'm a Selfish Volunteer - Sonia Carson

42 Love Thy Volunteers - Linda Le

45 Emergen Bloggers In Profile

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Whether you volunteer with two-leggedfriends or four, the time spent with anothersharing experiences and contributing totheir future well-being benefits the giverfar more than the receiver.

Volunteering is never easy. It requiresselflessness, understanding, humility andat times courage to face the darker aspectsof humanity. As I look back over the pastten years of my volunteering "career" onthe 10th anniversary of the firstInternational Year of the Volunteer, I canhonestly say that my time spentvolunteering has been some of the mostrewarding and heartbreaking experiencesof my life - and I wouldn't want it any otherway.

This story isn't mine, but it has touchedmeno less deeply. It is a story set in theElephantNature Park in Thailand. AlthoughI havn't been there, a friend's experiencesat the park deserve a special mention.

The nature park is an elephant rescue andrehabilitation centre in Chiang Mai,

N o r t h e r nT h a i l a n d .Established inthe 1990s, thepark provides an a t u r a lsanctuary fore l e p h a n t srescued frombrutal pasts.

Medo is amedium sizedfemale born inthe 1970's.

At the age of 8,Medo was put towork in a loggingcamp where she spent most of her dayscarting heavy logs with little food andbarely any rest.

At age 12, a large trunk fell on her leg,breaking her ankle. She was unable towork, and her owners were unwilling toreset the broken bone which was left torepairs itself. The bone never set properly,leaving her malformed on the rear leftankle - an injury still evident today. Sinceshe was no longer able to work, her ownerput her to breeding.

So her owners chained her by her four legsand found the largest and strongest bull(male elephant) and chained him to her.The bull was inmusth (heat) and instead ofmerely breeding her, he savagely attackedher - and despite her cries of agony, no onewould approach the bull for fear of hurtingthemselves.

Giving: The 10th Anniversary of the InternationalYear of the Volunteer by Amanda Joseph

Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present - Albert Camus

Volunteering is never easy. Itrequires understanding, humility andat times courage to face the darker

aspects of humanity.

There is something infinitelyhumbling in giving your time toanother. Far more rewarding isthe sensation that stays withyou long after you have partedways.

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Bleeding, alone and hurt, Medo wasleft for three says on the ground,chained by her four legs. Eventuallythe vets found that her back hip bonehad been dislocated.

For three years Medo fought for herlife - and for the next 15 years shespent her life hidden away by herowners were ashamed of her marredlooks.

It was in 2006 that the ElephantNature Reserve found Medo loggingwhat small logs she could in anisolated mountain village. My friendvisited the village in December 2010,fell in love with the gentle, warm-spirited Medo, and has adopted her(they pay for her maintenance andreceive regular updates on herwellbeing).

This is just one of many stories.Organisations such as these requirepeople with the selflessness anddetermination tomakeadifference inthe world - a quality that inspiresmillions to take action againstinjustice - whether it is against other human beings or defenceless animals.

On on this anniversary of the International Year of the Volunteer take a step back from yourtroubles and look with new eyes on the world. Where can you help? Maybe it is a friend inneed, maybe it is a local community, maybe it is an international volunteer organisation likethe Elephant Nature Reserve that has touched your heart. If you can give five minutes, 1hour, 1 day or ever 1 week, the difference in that person or animal's life is immeasurable.The difference in yours - priceless.

If you can give five minutes, 1 hour, 1 day or ever 1 week,the difference in that person or animal's life is

immeasurable.

The difference in yours - priceless.

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However, there are some things that should be given some thought before making acommitment to any type of volunteering:

TimeBe honest with yourself. How much time of yourself can you really give?Don't forget to consider other commitments aside from your day job,such as family, friends, hobbies, exercise and down-time.

The organisationThings to consider are the organisations size, dynamics, roles available, funding,structure, diversity, politics, and so on.

ValuesCompare your values to the organisations values - they need to match.

LocationWhere will you need to travel to? If its, say, an hour away, youneed to add this to your time and financial (petrol, wear andtear on the car, etc) commitment.

What you want to do, or what are you passionateabout doing?This is really important! You don't want volunteering to becomea chore. If you are doing something you want to do and are good at, you will happy andyou will make more of a difference!

Try before you buyMore often then not you can approach an organisation to sit in on a meeting, or to putin a few hours in order to gauge if the place is the right fit (from both points of view).

Things to Consider Before Volunteeringby Janine Ripper

In it's simplest concept, volunteering is an amazing experience andis easy to do. There are so many causes and opportunities availablethese days, it seems that there really is something out there to suiteveryone!

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I was the only female leader - but together with a few others, we managed to organise funactivities for kids to come and enjoy - to forget about life and school for awhile in a safeand fun environment.

I was never paid for this. I was always transporting kids from one place to another - I didn'tmother them (well I tried not to) and I really did enjoy being in there company. I felt thatit was important to create a safe environment for them - to grow, to be who they want tobe and to have fun, without the hassles of school and home life. They seemed to enjoythemselves and every week they were always inviting there friends!

It was all about them. I put myself in there shoes - remembered what it was like to be ateenager, and asked myself "What would I want to do on a Friday night" and then, the teamwent from there.

I clearly remember not having this type of activities available to me when I was a teenagerand so when I get positive feedback from the group it really does lift my spirits... to givesomething back to them, tomake their Friday nights a littlemore fun and certainly a lot saferthen my own!

Working with Youth is a passion of mine, so naturally working as a volunteer in this capacityonly makes sense to me. But I encourage each and everyone of you to find something thatyou are passionate about and then volunteer your time, services or money in that area.

Reaching Out to the Youth Withinby Ally Millington

In 2010 I was a youth group leader for our local area. I dedicatedevery Tuesday and Friday night to be with around 30 teenagersranging from ages 13+ and it was great!

You wont regret it.

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In fact, there are many Rotarians who areat age 50 and over who have been askedthat very question. This is somethingRotary is dealing with, and the numbers ofyoung people in Rotary are starting toboom.

Personally, I have been involved withRotary for over two years, and have beeninvolved in many volunteering projectsprior to that. As a result, I am a strongbeliever that volunteering in a communityproject is the fastest way to learn skills thatwill greatly help your professional life.

If you don't believe this, just attend aRotary meeting and get to know some ofthe people involved. Many Rotarians aresuccessful business people who are veryeffective at 'making things happen', hencetheir experiences in the community havelargely assisted them in their businesslives.

One project I would like to mention isConvicts for a Cause. I had the privilegeof being involved in the project in 2010,and I'm also on the team for this year'sevent working with some of amazingpeople.

Being involved in this project has been ahuge learning experience for me over a

very short period of time.

Some of the skills I've gained are:

• Developing sponsorship packages,

• Motivating individuals,

• Developing Agendas for meetings,

• Managing relationships,

• Event Management,

• Ensuring those who have given theirtime feel appreciated - There is nothingworse than giving your time and effortto a project and not feeling appreciatedat all. This is a vital skill we can utilisein all aspects of our life.

If ever you feel like you would like todevelop skills in a particular area, there isno more effective or faster way to do sothan to get involved in a communityproject.

Volunteering: The Fastest Way To Learnby Jarrad Brown

I am currently a Rotary member in the Mt Lawley Club, sitting on theBoard and getting as involved as I possibly can. Most people who'veheard of Rotary would ask the question "Isn't he a little young to be inRotary?"

Many Rotarians are successfulbusiness people who are effective at

'making things happen'.

Gaining Skills

And of course you will havethe added bonus of meetingsome incredible people along

the way.

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For more information on Rotary, and to find a Rotary Club near you, checkout their website:

http://www.rotary.org/en/Pages/ridefault.aspx

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I have had the privilege of being involvedwith many life changing humanitarianprojects in Africa, Thailand, Bangladeshand Australia, from health careorganisations, schools, micro-finance,safe homes, AIDS orphanages andministries that rescue young women andchildren from trafficking and prostitution.

Through my experiences I have metvolunteers from different cultures that aremaking a large difference in the lives ofothers. After speaking with and observingthem and their passion, I’ve found thatthey share an incredible compassion forthe area they are involved in, they lovewhat they are doing and theynever feel likethey are doing enough.

Whenever I arrive home from ahumanitarian trip, among the stirringemotions I am always left with is a strongsense of responsibility. It’s like a moralburden to share my experiences withpeople, to not only bring awareness ofglobal issues but also to encourage otherswith ways they can make a difference with

There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. With it beats the spirit ofservice, generosity and compassion...and the health and wellbeing of the

community, country and our world - Kobi Yamada

I came by this quote on the backof a book called 'The Heart of aVolunteer’. I really liked thequote and believe it representsthe strength of character of avolunteersheart and the impact avolunteers work has on a globalscale.

Your Greatest Intentions Will Never Be Seenby Belinda Vecchio

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what they have and who they are.

I believe that a majority of people would like to help others less fortunate, however peopleare afraid that the money won’t get there, or they don’t have time, or they don’t haveanything to give, or they don’t know what they can do.

Little do people know howmuch one can do with what they have. I would never change theurge I have to create awareness and share stories and experiences with others, as it’s thoseexperiences, and the people I’ve met, and the terribly unjust things I’ve seen that continueto fuel the passion and drive I have to help those less fortunate and make a difference inthe world.

My advice to anyone who feels a call to bea volunteer, whether it’s in your localcommunity, your country or abroad - it'sthis:

Little do people know how much one can do with what they have already.

Your greatestintentions will never be

seen.

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Engaging in voluntarywork andactivities isa method for creating positive changewithin a community, as well as shaping anindividual’s personal and professionaldevelopment.

At an individual level, the act ofvolunteering is often an inspiring or lifechanging experience and installs certainvalues and attitudes such as self-respect,forgiveness, honesty and altruism.

These are all values that I believe wouldcontribute to a stronger sense ofcommunity, a reduction in social isolation,acceptance of other cultures and beliefs,and decreased levels of racism, whichwould facilitate a more harmoniousAustralia.

Growing up in a middle class family, I feltthat volunteering has assisted me withseeing how other people live and anappreciation of my life situation. I also feelthat volunteering is effective practice toreduce “affluenza.” In my different liferoles I have come across some individualswho are self centred and indifferent to theirfamily and community and whatopportunities their upbringing has allowedthem.

I have observed that there is a correlationwith the fact that these individuals havehad limited exposure to volunteering orcommunity activities. Many of theseindividuals are more concerned withmaterial goods, and feel dissatisfied withtheir life or current situation and often

blame this on others or are looking for anexit strategy. For this reason, I feelvolunteering is something that should bepart of the school curriculum, and not justa one week event in year nine.

It should occur throughout primary and

secondary school and forms part of officialdocumentation of their curriculum councilresults. Through engaging in volunteeringfrom an early age, I believe this willfacilitate positive change not only at acommunity level, but also at an individuallevel.

On a personal note I have engaged involunteering is a wide range of interestareas including my lifelong involvementwith surf life saving, taking leadership rolesand tree planting trips with my primaryschool's environmental club, being

Volunteering as Early Interventionby Lauren Taylor

Volunteering is such a valuableand rewording work/ life roleto engage in.

Through engaging in volunteeringfrom an early age, I believe thiswill facilitate positive change notonly at a community level, butalso at an individual level.

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selected in Year 11 to volunteer in an orphanage for children whose parents have died fromAIDS andmore recently as a site leader for John Curtin Weekend through Curtin University.

The personal learning not just from the communities and individuals the volunteer work isdesigned to assist, but also from my fellow volunteers. You meet interesting people fromall walks of life, which again broadens your outlook, as well as having a great time andimproving my positive self concept.

Volunteering is a great antidote for those who feel socially isolated and assists them withre-connecting to society. Whilst depression is a complex mental health issue, I do feel thatvolunteering could be one approach to assist with taking a step towards a better tomorrow.

Volunteering couldbeoneapproach toassist with taking a step towards a

better tomorrow.

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I paused. The wheels were already turningin my head - an opportunity for me to dosomething outside of work, to give back.THE something I’d been looking for. Thereseemed only one possibility: 'Sure, I’m in!'

And so it began: my first step into a life-changing journey, a vast and amazingworld previously unknown to me. I’mtalking about Rotaract.

We’ve pulled weeds, planted trees, andrestored the Harvey River (enduringattacks from vicious bamboo stalks andplants).

We’ve served soup to the homeless, sickchildren and disadvantaged, and beeninspired by speakers overcoming polio,blindness and near death in the fightagainst Apartheid.

We’ve raised funds for projects such as

HOPE Uganda, and organised quiz nights,movie nights and multicultural nights.

We’ve volunteered at and donated to theKelmscott fires and engaged in culturalexchanges through internationalconferences.

We’ve even been part of a “first time ever”project for Australia - the SandgropersProject, Spearheaded by our ownmember, where we hosted seveninternational Rotaractors in WA. And ofcourse, through all this we did whatRotaractors do best: Partying it up!

Even as the words tumbled out of mymouth that day, I had no idea what I wasgetting myself into. But I claw at theessence of Rotaract - to dig deep is to findits spirit - 'Service above self'.

Rotaract has provided opportunities toserve locally (Red Cross Soup Patrol) andinternationally (fundraising for HOPE andpolio), to develop professionally and tolead. But most of all, it has provided theopportunity to develop lifelong friendslocally and around the globe. It’s trulyamazing that we can come from so manydifferent countries and walks of life, butstill unitewith onemain purpose: a passionto change the world one person at a time.As often quoted, 'It takes just a fewpassionate people to make a difference.'

It didn’t take much to convinceme about the position, over thephone. 'Club Social Services.You’ll be organising all the socialaspects of the Club - I think it’sright up your alley!'

The Rotaract Familyby Piri Altraide

It takes just a few passionate peopleto make a difference.

...The essence of Rotaract - to digdeep is to find its spirit - 'Service

above self.'

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That’s what we do.

I can’t help but be awed by the opportunities available, if one were to look. If they wouldjust dare to stand up and say 'I'm the one! Pick me!' The rewards will come back in morethan words. So much more awaits.

Gaining these worldwide connections with like minded young adults, with over 8,400 clubsin 170 countries, I can go almost anywhere in the world and know, there will be open armswaiting. I couldn’t think of anything better. At the end of it all you just want to say:

Rotaract Club of Perth CBD meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of themonth, 6.00pm at 43 Below, Barrack Street, Perth.

To find out more about Rotaract Australia, check out their website:

http://www.rotaract.org.au

Welcome to the RotaractFamily!

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All of these examples can be rewarding,but I would like you to examine anothertype of volunteering - volunteering yourleadership andmanagement skills throughsitting on a board or committee. Manycommunity organisations are crying out forpeople to contribute a range of skills,whether it be legal, financial or strategic to

helpmove forward their community vision.

Over the years, I’ve taken on some greatopportunities to sit on the boards andcommittees of some fantasticorganisations and projects. I’ve had theopportunity to create a nationaldevelopment program called 'Keys toAchievement' in my role as the NationalYoung Business and Professional Women’s(BPW) Representative.

Last year, I got to lead the state chapter ofmy industry association, NationalSpeakers Association, and lead initiativessuch as improving their social mediapresence as well as encouraging moreyoung speakers to join the organisation.I’ve also taken on roles for specific projectssuch as National Youth Week, RostrumVoice of Youth Public Speaking competitionas well as my first community leadershiprole - organising a children’s conferencecalled 'Kids Helping Kids' throughMillennium Kids.

Volunteering Can Help Your Careerby Alicia Curtis

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens canchange the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead

I would like you to examine anothertype of volunteering - volunteeringyour leadership and managementskills through sitting on a board or

committee.

There are many differentkinds of volunteering -planting trees, repainting acommunity centre, helpingthe elderly or perhapstroubled teens.

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There are a number of benefits.

Firstly, you can make a huge impact withinan organisation and your community bycontributing your skills and talents. Youcould create a promotional plan to gainmoremedia coverage, obtain funding to securethe financial sustainability of theorganisation or write the risk managementplan so the organisation’s activities cancontinue. Community organisations, eventhough they are not-for-profit, need to existin a professional manner, therefore needvolunteers at these management levels toensure that this happens.

Through doing this, you can build your ownleadership and management skills, either inan area that is your strength, or focus on anarea thatwill challengeor stretch you. In theworkplace, we sometimes don’t get theexperiences we are exactly looking for. Thatis where volunteering in a communityleadership position can give you theexperiences you are looking for.

You also get to build your networks. Theopportunities are endless! I’ve metpoliticians, business leaders, authors, CEO'sfrom private companies and communityorganisations, as well as everyday peoplefromavariety of industries andbackgrounds(It’s a great way to find mentors too).Through my community volunteering, I'veattended conferences right around theworldand with today's social media, it's easierthan ever to stay in touch.

The best part of volunteering is feeling likeyou are contributing to something that’sbigger than yourself - that you’recontributing something to humanity and theworld, surrounded by people who are just aspassionate as you are.

Think about what your passions are. Whatignites that fire in your belly? Look fororganisations that do work in that area. Youmay already have friends and colleagueswithin your network that volunteer fororganisations who could introduce you.

There are a variety of organisations like yourreally large community organisations thatare run right across the country as well assmall local community organisationsprobably working just around the cornerfrom you! Consider volunteering your timeand expertise to a cause, project ororganisation - you never know where itmight take you!

What have I gained and why youshould volunteer on a community

board?

What's your next step?How do you choose an organisation

to volunteer for?

Consider volunteering your timeand expertise to a cause, projector organisation - you never know

where it might take you!

The best part of volunteering isfeeling like you are contributing tosomething that's bigger than

yourself.

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We begin in 2004 with my first job workingat NetlinkCRM. Netlink, through anassociation with Joe Nevin, was asked tovolunteer their services to help providetechnology support to the World RallyChampionship round in Australia, held inthe southern region of Perth. Our role wasto provide support to the Tag Heur timinggear, and the phone and radio equipmentduring the week of the rally.

For the week of the rally myself and theother IT engineers would pile into our carsat 4:30am and drive out to the rally stagesto set up and check on the timing gear,display boards, and radio equipment.Exhausting work but incredibly fun, andnot something we would get to do everyday.

One of the more memorable experienceswas working during the Super Special

Stage at Gloucester Park, andexperiencing the rally cars racing literally1 metre away. The fumes, tyre smoke andthe unmuffled engines roaring away at fullthrottle is an addiction that started fromthat moment.

For the first night of the Super SpecialStage, we stood on the highest point of thepark, the roof of the commentary boxwhere we had all the timing computerequipment, watching fireworks explode inthe night sky.

On the last night, I remember runningacross the track as the last car went pastthe finish line to start tearing down thetiming equipment for bump out. Thefireworks displays went off just a fewmetres away. You know those guyswearing the highvis vests at the AustraliaDay fireworks, next to the floats? I knowhow those guys feel - deaf mostly.

Rally Australia is one of themost incrediblevolunteering experiences I have ever had.Imagine - the logistics of training 2000volunteers to be competent in their roles,whether it is a special stage official, a

I have had a collection of incredible experiences over the past sevenyears. I struggle to describe the essence of what has given me so muchjoyandheartache inmy life. Soallowme to tell a story frommyearlydaysin the hope that we can find out and understand a bit more about thiswhole volunteering thing!

The fumes, tyre smoke and theunmuffled engines roaring away atfull throttle is an addiction that

started at that moment.

Volunteering Rocks My Worldby Tiang Cheng

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spectator marshall, an SOS point official, a rescue diver, or fire rescue team. And thenimagine co-ordinating the 2000 volunteers to run a rally event that is timed to the minute- in a way that ensures the safety of the drivers, volunteer officials and spectators - in anenvironment where there is nomobile phone coverage, no readily available power supplies,and dirt roads that need 4x4 cars to access. To be a cog in that well-oil machine was a hugelearning experience in what can be achieved with passion and dedication.

To be a cog in that well-oil machine was a hugelearning experience in what can be achieved with

passion and dedication.

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My volunteering experience came about with the Gowrie in 2009 when my best friendconvinced me to join the Homework Support Program with her. We both have a passion toworkwith youth froma diverse background and the programoffered us just that! In additionit was also a great way for both of us to stay connected and have fun since we were bothpretty busy with our lives.

My role was to tutor youth from multiculturalbackgrounds in their homework. Initially I was scaredof joining since I was never really good in Maths andScience, but once I got involved I realised these youthneeded help in a range of subjects - basicallyeverything. What I discovered and learned through thisprogram was that each individual - regardless of whatwe think our abilities are - has something worthwhile tooffer to the community.

The experience has been a gift and a blessing indisguise. I have gained skills in networking, teaching,mentoring and probably countless others. But mostimportantly, knowing that I can be an inspiration toyouth has been an inspiration in itself.

Today I am a Case Manager working with youth, and I believe my experiences in thevolunteer program have been a huge bridge to my career.

The Gift of Volunteeringby Mei-Li Huang

The GowrieWAwas established in 1940 and offers a range of serviceswhich includes Childcare, Settlement Services, Counselling, Nutritionand other Community Based Programs.

If you love diversity and empowering youththen give this a go!

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“I have been in the homework helpever since I was 12. I really enjoy allthe support the teacher give you. Ihave learnt a lot throughout the yearsand I am really thankful for theopportunity.I hope that I can help children in thefuture as well. You have experiencedtutors that give you advice andassistance that is great.“

Sara (Student)

The Gowrie

The Homework Support Group has undergone somechanges and is now a partnership between The Gowrie,Belmont City College, and City of Belmont library.

The Gowrie is looking for volunteers, to tutor youth frommulticultural backgrounds aged 12 to18 years with theirhomework on Thursdays 4:00-5:30pm.

If you are available and interested please contact:

Raihanaty Abdul-Jalil, Settlement Grants Youth Workeron 93128254 / raihanatya@gowrie-wa.com.au

Or

Mei-Li Huang at mhuang@mercycare.com.au

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During my childhood I was surrounded byanimals. From the ago of three my bestfriend in the whole world was a 40+ kiloRottweiler. The undying love andassurance animals show to you issomething that I am sure many peopleunderstand. So in order to return some ofthat commitment from animals, I startedlooking into the idea of volunteering withanimals (in my case, fostering kittens andcats).

I, like many others, was completelyunaware of the amount of animals beingdumped daily at animal shelters Australia-wide. I was shocked when I found out. Iremember crying at the realisation that somany of these animals would possiblynever get adopted, or that they would facea worse fate due to overpopulation.

To be truthful though, Iwas at first hesitantto volunteer. I didn’t know if I would havethe time or commitment to foster animalswho I would eventually have to give away.More of a concern for me was if I wouldhave it in my heart to let them go when anew home was found.

But from the moment the first litter of‘unwanted’ kittens came into my life, Iknew I had made the right choice. Itbought out such warmth, protection andpositivity in me. Feeding, playing andopenly loving the kittens was such an easyjob for me, yet I knew it was impactinggreatly on all of our lives.

Volunteering To Help Tiny Pawsby Alexander Kerr

I have read some pretty inspirational stories about the differentvolunteeringexperiencespeoplehavehad that have changed their life.So I thought I would share my volunteering experience about howmany tinypawshavecomeandgone inmy life, andhowthe impact theymade on me will remain always. Volunteering has changed, educatedand taught me to grow, all for the better.

I knew it was impacting greatly onall of our lives.

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There is one experience of a kitten Ifostered I think of to this day. This kittencame to me at only four days of age afterbeing found dumped alone. Kittens at thatage are simply like a tiny heartbeat withbare fur in your hand. Their eyes haven'teven opened yet and they can barelymake a noise. They are utterlydefenceless and completely dependent ontheir mother. So I became her mother.

My days and nights were filled with bottlefeeds every 1-2 hours, helping the kittenrelease fluids, washing her eyes carefullywith a cotton bud like her mother wouldhave licked clean and changing the warmwater bottle regularly in order for her tostay warm in her carrier. I was sleepdeprived but had an enormous amount ofenergy anytime I heard her murmur. Itwas such a memorable moment - to knowthat I was helping this once dumped kittenbecome stronger with each passing hour.

It was touch and go at one stage though.I remember rushing her to the vet late onenight after she had suddenly gone limp inmy arm. I sat shaking and crying in mypartner’s armswhile they took her into theback room and told me the chances didn’tlook good. Even with all the help you cangive, sometimes baby animals don’t makeit as the nutrients their mother can givethem are invaluable. BUT fear not as shedid make it. In fact, she made a fullrecovery and was soon on her way to herown home.

People often ask how I can give away thekittens and cats at the end of the fosteringperiod, and Iwon’t lie. It is definitely hard,and it didn’t get easier like people advisedme it would. Many times I have beggedmy partner to let me keep one, but theagreement I made with him and withmyself was that I would never get soattached that I couldn’t say goodbye.Seeing someone instantly fall in love with

an animal in front of you and to know thatforever that animal is going to besheltered, loved and fed was what madethe decision right.

Volunteering to me is when you openlyoffer your hand or heart to someone,something or some place that might needthat extra help. It is a selfless act, and Iam so inspired by the millions ofvolunteers around Australia and theWorld. I do know that I have given secondlife chances to many kittens and cats thusfar, but what the positive volunteeringexperience has done, and will continue todo, for me is undeniable.

I open this to you, find thevolunteer in you withsomething you feel

passionate about...anddon’t hold back.

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Lynette relocated to Western Australiafrom Queensland six years ago for a seachange experience, and fell in lovewith theplace. Before starting work at Uniting Aid(UA), sheworked in the Insurance industryfor 21 years. She joined Uniting Aid 18months ago as the AdministrationAssistant, before plunging into the role ofCoordinator 12 months ago.

Lynette has always been a people person -obvious from the first moment you meether and witness that twinkle in her eyesand welcoming smile. She enjoys helpingpeople and fighting for the rights of the

under-privileged and disabled.

Through working at UA Lynette has theperfect opportunity to help the peoplewithin her local community via practicalassistance like providing them with food,clothing and assistance with day to daybills.

Lynette whole heartedly believes thatvolunteering is a rewarding experience - itis a way people can provide a helping handor a listening ear to those in need, as wellas giving back to the community. It is alsoa way people can utilise their skills - thosethat many of us forget we have.

Before committing to a volunteering at UA,people are welcome to visit in order to gainmore of an understanding of the servicesprovided.Once on board, all volunteers aregiven training, support, and a uniform.

As the Coordinator for UA, Lynette has firsthand experience with the difficulty infinding and retaining volunteers.Availability is often an issue, as volunteersneed to be available for rostered shifts.Volunteers also need to be willing to learnor perform a number of duties, some thatinclude cleaning (sweeping and mopping

Organisation in Profile: Uniting Aidby Janine Ripper

I had the pleasure of meeting LynetteFoote, the Coordinator for Uniting Aid,in 2010, and was impressed by herenthusiasm and desire to help people.Let me tell you more about Uniting Aid,Lynette Foote and the amazing workthat they do for the local community.

Volunteering

Lynette Foote: Uniting AidNollamara Coordinator

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floors and maintaining the kitchen andtoilet facilities. Due to the diversity withinthe community, volunteers also need to beable to work with a variety of people fromvarious ages and backgrounds.

UA could not function without it’s team ofdedicated volunteers. Without them, UAwould not be able to assist the largenumbers of people needing help [In 2010approximately 1800 clients visited UA,with assistance being provided toapproximately 4,500 adults and childrenwithin the City of Stirling alone].

UA was established 30 years ago bycongregations from Dianella and Yokine inorder to assist the needy in theircommunities with emergency relief.

That was 15 years ago. UA now has a boardof eleven members, and receives fundingfrom Lotterywest, FaCHSIA (FederalGovernment) grants, and donations fromlocal Uniting Churches and individuals -without this support theywould not be ableto assist the many City of Stirlingresidences in need of support.

The City of Stirling has the highestpopulation growth of Refugees andmigrants in Australia. UA provide supportto their clients,manywho new to Australia,

by providing them with:

• Education, helping clients learn ‘how’to pay their bills, and providing tips on howto reduce bills i.e. electricity.

• Information on Centrelink - such asCentrepay or voluntary incomemanagement programmes, and on thingssuch as if a landlord isn’t providing the rightmaintenance on their rental home, etc.

• Referrals to financial counsellors soclients can apply for the HUGS grant (StateGovernment Hardship Utility GrantScheme).

• Assistance with food, bills, fuel,clothing, linen, and kitchen / householditems.

• Empowerment for clients to helpthemselves.

Uniting Aid

The Community and Uniting Aid

There are a raft of volunteerpositions available with Uniting Aid.

For more information contactLynette Foote at

unitingaid@uniting.com.au.

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I joined JCI (Junior ChamberInterntational) in 2001 with the aim ofbeing part of a prestigious organisation inorder to help boost my career. Little did Iknow at the time, I was to be part ofsomething big which in many ways hastotally exceeded my expectations andhave brought me many great memories.

JCI has given me the opportunity to visitmanyplaces andmeet great people. Itwasthrough JCI that I’m able to contribute tomy community and commit to somethingbigger than myself. I’ve been involvedwith JCI projects and training that allowedme to stretch outside of my comfort zone,think outside the box, and learn so manynew things about the world.

It was JCI that taughtme the truemeasureof leadership - the ability to motivate myfellow volunteers to work towards acommon goal. I look back at my JCI careerand I take pride in what I haveaccomplished, as it has given me a senseof achievement. Most importantly, it wasthrough JCI that I met life-long friends.

In the same way that JCI has given me anenriching experience, it is my hope thatothers can experience the same throughmy involvement. At this juncture in mylife, I am looking for something that I ampassionate about. I want to explore

something beyond my current career as Isense that I have a potential too great toignore and confine within the four walls ofmy office. A friend told me that I amdriving a Ferrari in a back street. I believeI am ready for changeand it is time to drivethe Ferrari on the highway. This can be anew chapter in my life at the onset of thisnew decade which will bring me closer tomy lifelong dream of becoming aphilanthropist. I want to be in a placewhere I do what I love and love what I do.JCI can be my vehicle to fulfill this dreamas the JCI creed resonates with me. I wishto travel with JCI and be a messenger ofinspiration. As such, it is with great honourthat I volunteer and serve JCI Sydneyhaving been elected as its President forthis year.

My Experience Volunteering with JCIby Don Bales

My journey in my professionalas well as JCI career has been achallenging yet rewarding one,interestingly enough thereasons I started in JCI aredifferent to the reasons whyI’ve stayed.

For more information on JCIhttp://www.jcisydney.org/

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As young people, or even as people ingeneral, we may feel helpless – whetherwe’re at the place of disaster or not. Bothcountries are almost at 2 degrees ofseparation – everyone knows someone whoknows someone, and these tragedies aredefinitely affecting all.

As youngpeople,we aren’t helpless. Here area few ways we can help:

- Donate even 10% of this week’s pay to thekey charity or organisations helping thedisaster areas. If you can’t get to the city to

help with your own hands, you may as well give something to help those already there.

- Go along to your local Rotary, Rotaract, BPW or another youth, community or evenbusiness network where youmay find other young people and brainstorm some ideas abouthow you can help as a young collective. Many hands are better than one!

- Update your emergency kit at home. In a worst case scenario, make sure you’ll be ableto survive to help others.

- Fly to the city and lend a helping hand – many organisations are looking for volunteers todonate their time to go help a city in need.

- Ask what your work can do – some have programs that have been allocated funds thatallow employees do their bit for the country to go help.

- If you have been involved in the tragedy, write into local and national media with yourstories aboutwhat people can prepare for before a disaster strikes. You canhelp save others’lives next time by doing so.

Helping in the Time of Needby Eva-Marie Salikhova

With recent events inQueensland andChristchurch, Australian andNewZealand people are starting to become more aware of natural risks anddisasters that may strike at any time.

What did you do to help?What other tips or advise can you think of around what young people can do to

help out in a time of need?

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I was volunteering with the GowrieHomework Support Group (HWSG) foralmost three years. I walked into theprogramwith an openmind and heart afterdeciding to volunteer. I had always wantedto work with refugees, and this was theperfect opportunity for me - and as usual Idragged my best friend Mei-Li with me.

I didn’t know what to expect from theprogram, but the first day I entered theroom full of children from different culturesand backgrounds I was comfortable rightaway. I loved the diversity and I fit rightin. It reminded me of my high school daysand it felt like home. In fact, other tutorsactually mistook me for a student!

Surprisingly volunteering wasn’t easy.There were challenges, such as languagebarriers, insufficient information fromschools and a lack of commitment fromsome students. We helped them withunderstanding their homework, withreading, spelling, maths and research(although at times, I can be more of adistraction because we always ended uptalking about other things thanhomework).

The biggest reward from helping thesechildren would be the bonding sessionsand the friendship. We createdfriendships, trust, respect and a genuineinterest in one another’s life. I also createdfriendships with the other tutors, studentsand even their parents. This made thevolunteering experience more personal.

Initially Iwas only going to volunteer for sixmonths, but it ended up being longer. Ienjoyed seeing the children makingprogress with their schoolings and Iwanted to see them achieve. Thevolunteering experience also brought mecloser to best friend Mei-Li. Volunteeringcan be another way to keep in contact witheach other.

People always askme “Why volunteer? Youare so busy!” My answer is always “Whynot!" I enjoy volunteering and I do itbecause I want to. I also enjoy interactingwith the children, tutors and their parents- plus I get to see my best friend everyfortnight.

To me volunteering is something you doout of the goodness of your heart. Youdon't do it for recognition - you do itbecause you want to. It doesn’t pay you,but the reward far exceeds the monetaryvalue.

Doing Things from the Heartby Almetra Bethlehem

When I first started volunteering, Ididn’t expect that I was going tolove and enjoy doing it.

Volunteering is something youdo out of the goodness of yourheart. You don't do it for

recognition - you do it becauseyou want to.

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There are too many negative influences in the world and volunteering is another way tomake theworld a better place. You give your time, your heart, your understanding and yourknowledge to others so that the legacy of being a kind human being continues.

So, go do your bit and volunteer at least once in your life time.

'Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, theyjust have the heart.'

- Elizabeth Andrew

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When I mentioned 'university' everyonelaughed, so being as stubborn as I was, I setout to prove everyone wrong.

I successfully graduated with a Bachelor ofCommunications, and then spent a few yearstravelling and working overseas. When Ifinally returned to Australia, I realised thetravel bug had bitten me bad! I'd alwayswanted to go to Africa, but everyone had toldme it was too dangerous. I had a friend whowas terminally ill with cancer at the time andhe said to me, "life's too short. If you want togo, go". So I signed up for a volunteerprogram in Cape Town the next day. Peoplethought I'd lost the plot - I was going to payfor my airfare, living expenses and agencyfees, in order to spend threemonths working80+ hours a week for free.

The drive from Cape Town airport into thecity amazedme - youwent fromnice 'normal'Aussie type houses one minute to thetownships the next. The townships consistedof up to a million little shacks (imagine therun down garden shed in a lot of ourbackyards) crammed together in a flat landarea, with up to 12 people (sometimesmore)living in each of them, sharing a bathroom(tap in the middle of the dirt path) and toilet(those porta potty things they have atconcerts that no-one likes using).

I stayedwith ahost family,whomademe feellike part of the family. I then spent three

months working in schools and townships.Every day, I dealt with cases of child abuse,rape, HIV AIDS, gang fights and shootings. Itwas hard at the best of times, andemotionally and physically draining. Younever knew what the next day would bring.

But every day, you would look at the smilingfaces of the kids you were working with, andknow it was worth the effort. Simple things,like painting a child's face, letting them playwith my "Australian hair" for hours on end orsimply taking the time to say hello and throwa ball around with them made their day. Iremember one day when the line for lunch -a sandwich, apple and juice box - was twohours long. Therewas nopushing or shoving,the kids simply stood in line for their food,accepting it with a big grin on their face.

Volunteering in South Africaby Tanya Dupagne

Growing up in Kwinana, justoutside of Perth, I was told I'dnever amount to anythingbecause of where I was from - weused to hear it at school, from ourfriends, even from our teachers.

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We worked with these children -sometimes up to 2000 each day - to teachthem basic life skills they could use for therest of their lives.

Seeing the turn around in these childrenwas what made it worth it. Watching themget employment following the workshopswe'd done with them was the best feeling.When it came time to leave, I struggled - somuch so that I've been back 5 times!

Every time I return to Kwinana I'mreminded of how lucky I am - I don't haveto worry about getting hijacked at a redlight, or scan for guns when I walk down astreet. I have a house to live in, and I don'thave to worry where my next meal willcome from.

The kids of Kwinana have also stepped up.They are changing their community, aswell as the Cape Town community for thebetter. After hearing my volunteeringstory, many of them joined my Dance 4Africa program. I teach them to dance

Cape Town Jazz (a cross betweenballroom, latin and salsa that I learned inAfrica), and they put on performances toraisemoney for the kids in Cape Town (andnow Vietnam and Chile as well). So far,1000 Kwinana kids have provided over180,000 meals, Christmas parties for5,000 kids, a nurse and medical suppliesfor a village, computers, school fees,school uniforms/equipment and muchmore for those less fortunate thanthemselves. The link between the twocountries grows stronger all of the time,and both are fascinated by the other. I amso proud of the kids and theirachievements as they show just what thekids of Kwinana really are capable of.

My time as a volunteer turned my lifearound, and whenever I have a bad day Iremember what others are going through,and things don't seem as hard. I stronglyrecommend the volunteer experience toanyone who's considering it - and evenanyone who isn't!

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She: So, what do you do?

Me: Well, until recently I was amanagement consultant. Now I dofundraising and some research withnot-for-profits.

She: Oh okay, like, paid? Or as avolunteer?

Me: A volunteer.

She: So...you don’t work? [Slightconfused pause] “How do you eat?

Me: Well, I guess my husband and Imade the decision jointly for me toquit work, and so we survive on oneincome.

She: Oh [Lightbulb moment] Yourhusband’s a Doctor!

There are many things about thisconversation that could inspire an article.They’ve certainly inspired much thoughtonmy part, along with lively conversationswith friends. Aside from the rich husbandcomment, I get this exact line ofquestioning almost every time I respond tothe question “What do you do?”.

I find myself thinking - Why are we sodefined by what we “do”? How do wecommunicate a lifestyle choice withoutbeing judged, or sounding judgemental?Why is it unfathomable that a 24 year oldmay choose a life path other than a career?Why is voluntarywork less valued? WhydoI find myself reluctant to tell people I’m afull-time volunteer?

In April 2010 I left a job in managementconsulting at a Big 4 firm. I’d started thereas a graduate two years earlier, but left topursue a variety of volunteer opportunities(primarily with Room to Read andVolunteering Qld). It was a quick decision,based on a lot of thought, reflection and agrowing understanding of my values.

Why is there a stigma aroundvoluntary work, suggesting it is less

valued?

Please Don't Pay Meby Jenny Geale

I will always remember anexchange I had with a girl I hadjust met, and have never seenagain, as we introducedourselves at a function about ayear ago:

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So when faced with the “what do you do?”question I have a few answers. Which oneI give depends on my assessment of thequestioner and how I think they willrespond:

• “Until April last year I was inManagement Consulting. I had been doinga few different volunteer activities on theside and I decided to give them a go full-time”

Subtext: I don’t think you’re going to ‘get’me being a full-time volunteer, or I thinkyou’re going to judge it. So to preempt you,I want you to know I have a brain, I wasn'tfired, and I’m not pregnant - I do this out ofchoice.

• “I coordinate a group of volunteers inBrisbane supporting an international not-for-profit”.

Subtext: I don’t think you need the careerbackground, but I don’t want to have ‘thevolunteer’ discussion.

• “I’m a full-time volunteer”

Subtext: I’m up for a laugh - let’s see whatyou say to that OR you’re a nice person,you’re in this space, you’ll get this.

I have slowly weaned myself off ofresponse one, which was my safetyblanket. The truth is I have felt challengedby this perception regarding my choice to

volunteer, and I want to challenge thatperception.

Over time I’ve discovered that people oftenthink:

Volunteering is something you do to get a‘real’ job

Even before I was studying, people wouldoffer that as a suggestion as to why I wasa volunteer. People have also given mewell-meaning suggestions about how myvolunteer ‘work’ will one day translate intosomething paid. It’s hard to explain thatpaid work is not on my radar and is not amotivator.

Volunteer work is not as hard as a real job

People have suggested it must be “nice” tobe able to get away from the rat race andbe a volunteer. Yeah right! I’ve neverworked so hard in my life!

Volunteer work is of less value than paidwork

The reaction I often get is one ofpatronising congratulations; that it’s reallygood of someone like me, who has timenow, to use my time well. I find that people(not all, but some) can’t alwayscomprehend that I could find unpaid worksomuchmore fulfilling than paidwork, thatI might choose it over paid work andforsake a traditional ‘career path’.

Many would deny they hold thoseperceptions, but in many conversationsI’ve seen those assumptions comethrough. I know my situation isn't thenorm, and I appreciate that I'm blessed bycircumstances that allow me to make thechoices I have made. I also wonderwhether it's fair to extrapolate frompeople’s reactions to the way I volunteer,to other forms of volunteer work, as I think

Have you had a similar, or perhapscompletely different experience?

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there are more factors at work there (genuine curiosity, perhaps confusion and surprise).

I believe this reveals some truths around the perception of volunteer work. In particular, thatit is less complex and challenging, requires less responsibility and is merely a pathway tosomething better (or an outlet for ‘good deeds').

Forme, volunteering presents countless opportunities I would not otherwise have, in a formatthat works forme and allowsme the flexibility to createmy own space. As I’m suremany othervolunteers will agree, the challenges are bigger, but the rewards are even better. It’s just ashame that a lot of people (and allow me to generalise here from my own experience –especially those in the corporate world) don’t see the activity as having the same inherentvalue.

I’ve failed to mention the wonderful people who unquestioningly and wholeheartedly supportwhat I do and how I do it. I love each and every one of them. I also meet plenty of peoplewho appreciate the depth of skills that volunteers can possess, understand that people aremotivated in innumerably different ways, and value them accordingly.

However the prevalence of either the ‘do-gooder’ label or the ‘CV-building-ladder-climber’perception haveme concerned. I think the world is missing out on wonderful people whowantto contribute in countless ways for countless reasons.

In themeantime, a big salute to themillions of Australianswho volunteer each year. You knowwho you are, what you do and why you do it – and no matter what, you are amazing and youare making a difference. That’s all that matters!

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...a big salute to the millions ofAustralians who volunteer each year. Youknow who you are, what you do and whyyou do it – and no matter what, you areamazing and you are making a difference.

That’s all that matters!

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I don't knowexactlywhere the life examplefor volunteering came from - my parentswere always busy people, but they didmake time for others. There was alwaystime to entertain someonewho dropped in.Therewas always time for a long phone callwith a family friend. Our guest room wasopen to people who needed it - in fact,that's why we had a guest room in the firstplace, instead of all the other things it couldhave been.

My parents taught me that my familyconsisted of more than just relatives - wetended to adopt people and then proceedto mother them to death - much to theirannoyance!

We never cottoned on to this until later,when years after I had flown the coup - anddespite mymother's attempts to get me toreturn home on a permanent basis - Iinsisted on still flying...that's when werealised I was struggling with bouts ofdepression. That may be due to ourculture, as a lot of Sri Lankanwomen sufferfrom it, but just don't know it for what it is.

My mother's instinctual reaction was toconvince me to come home, and with thefirst occurrence I did. And then I flewagain.And it happened again. But this time Ididn't go home. Instead I was on the phoneto my mother who told me:

"You need to stop thinking aboutyourself so much."

"What do you mean?"

"Go out and do something - for otherpeople - it will take you out of yourself."

And then I realised that one of the things Ihad been missing was a sense ofcommunity and connection. Doingsomething for others was part of myupbringing, but life as a student in the USand Australia was so structured thatoutreach, connection, community didn'tseem part of it at all. It didn't even seemviable.

So I volunteered.

I volunteered at a charity shop where Ilearnt that I needed to volunteersomewhere where people were like me.

I tried to organise and run a volunteersupport group at University. This is when Ilearnt that people expect you to do theirthinking for them, and that you can't createa mini-community within a system thatdoes not itself create a sense ofcommunity, especially among thestudents.

I volunteered for Oaktree. At the timethere wasn't much of a system - it wasmore of a work in progress. From that Ilearnt that things have to bewell organisedso that everyone can do their job. aI alsolearnt that you have to volunteer for aplace that respects you and yourcontribution.

So, I then nervously jumped into threedifferent things that required threedifferent skill sets - all of which I was

Move Outside Yourselfby Marisa Wikramanayake

When you are a child you believethe world consists of just you.And then, at some point, yourealise it doesn't.

I realised that one of the thingsI had been missing was a senseof community and connection.

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reasonably good at:

1) Leadership and technology

2) Editing

3) Writing

I can lead - I know that. I just don't likedoing it because I don't like it when peopledon't think for themselves. But, I put myhand up to be on the Society of Editors WAcommittee because I knew they neededpeople, and they really needed me to runtechnological interference and to be abuffer of sorts for the membership [Whenthings get ugly in the mailing list overwhether "Shan't" should have oneapostrophe or two - you could make thecase for either but general acceptance isthat it is one - and so on, that's when I havehad to step in and calm people down]. Andlet's not talk about the state the websitewas in when I joined!

I am an Editor and I amquite knowledgableas I read, voraciously. I also retain it [Youneed someone for your pub quiz night? I'myour girl!]. So I somehow found myselfediting policy documents for the Centre forPolicy Development. I get to editgovernment documents, I get to scold theanalysts when they get their factswrong...and they actually love me for it.And it's all voluntary.

I love music. I used to dance a lot - and stilldo. I needed clips for my portfolio when Ifirst started writing so I wrote musicreviews for RTR FM. I then saw a volunteerposition and joined up. I volunteered forover a year, working at the front desk,organising the CD archive and being thebouncer at the events - Yes I was a bouncer(they call it "working at the door"). I musthave been quite scary in a leather jacket -petite little me - because they all lined upnicely and held their arms out to show metheir wristbands. I actually didn't even likehalf the music they played, but Ivolunteered because I liked the station's

goal and I wanted to support it.

I still suffer bouts of depression, but not asfrequently or as badly as I used to. Andnowadays I don't volunteermuch - hold on,that's a lie. I am the voluntary convenor ofthe 2013 IPEd Conference (which is a veryvery scary thing to put your hand up for)and I am on occasion still doing voluntaryediting work for the CPD.

The point is that I now know where my lifeis going. I have work where I get paid to dosomething for the community. I amwritinga book that I feel will help a lot of people.

I have these little things I do on the sidewhere someone (*cough* Janine Ripper,*cough*) challenges me to writesomething that hopefully helps otherpeople. Or where someone else (*cough*Alicia Curtis, *cough*) says "Whydon't yourun a how to write a book group?"

I also know that life gets out of sorts for mewhen I focus too much on myself or toolittle on myself. Volunteering is part ofwhat maintains the balance and if I do toomuch, I overstretch myself.

I don't know about you. I don't know howyou were brought up, so I am not about tosay "This is what you should do." But I thinkyou should consider volunteering as anoption. You will learn a lot about yourself,and I think that's always a good thing.

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If I'm honest with myself, maybe there'san underlying selfish motivator as I'vealways gained something from it. I'vealways participated in ad-hoc charity days.If I saw an ad or a friend mentioned acharity that needed help with a fundraiser,I've always been willing to give a few hourshere and there. I never thought about ituntil I sat down to write this. It was thenthat I realised I've been involvedwith quitea few charities over the years.

About seven years ago I taught English inThailand. Why? I'd been backpacking fora fewmonths and the chance to stay in oneplace for a month or two, and to immersemyself in local culture was a greatopportunity. It was going to be great for aremote community to be taught by a native

speaker, but I also got free food and boardin return for teaching four days per week. Iprobably got more out of it than the school,as I was able to relax and rejuvenate fromtravelling, as well as being able to learn thelocal culture. I was also adopted into themost beautiful Thai family.

Yes, I helped somewonderful kids, but in allhonesty their main priority was tendingtheir farms and feeding their familiesbefore school, and I'mnot suremanywouldever get any benefit from meeting me(although I did havea little possewhomadethemost of every break to seekme out andimprove their English. Hopefully it will helpthem earn money in the future.

I've also helped to build a community

Maybe I'm a Selfish Volunteer?by Sonia Carson

I'vevolunteereda lot over theyears, but Imustadmit Ihavedonemoreso in recent years. I can't really saywhy...I haven't actively sought outspecific charities or actively pursued any volunteering. It's just kind ofhappened.

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library in Laos, where I got the chance tohang out with a great group of people, andfeel like I did something worthwhile in apoor, remote community. Sure, the fundscould have possibly been put to better usefor the community, but when there's somuch poverty you have to startsomewwhere.

I've been involved with the Life ChangingExperiences foundation (Sassi. I was in anew job in a relatively new city. There wasa woman I had a lot of respect for whoneeded 10 women to help her meet herfundraising targets. This was a greatchance for me tomeet other professionalwomen from our organisation, and fromSydney in general.I've had the opportunity to projectmanage, run events, get involved withmarketing and generate creative ideas.They aren't on my CV, but they are skillsI had wanted to build on. It was also achance to raise funds for younggirls fromdisadvantaged backgrounds and givethem a positive role model. I saw girlswho were heading for a terrible life turnthemseleves around and becomeextraordinary youngwomen. The charityhas grown. From starting in Sydney, it'snow established in Melbourne andsomeday soon will hopefully expand intoall our other capital cities.Assistance Dogs Australia is another

charity I've fundraised and volunteeredfor. It's similar to Guide Dogs, but forpeople that are wheel chair bound, and isan amazing charity. Do you know what Iget out of it? I get to play with puppies,and there's nothing better than having afund raiser with puppies. I've seencorporate men, get down on the floor intheir suits to play with a puppy. Peopleburst into grins at the chance to pat apuppy or shake a paw, it's fun, and it'smaking such great achievements. It'sgrowing in Perth, andhopefully I'll be ableto help with that. Why? Because I have somuch fun playing with the puppies. Inever come home from a volunteering orfundraising event without a big smile onmy face.I'm sure I've donegoodover the years, butI'm also sure that I've always gottenmoreout of it than I've put in. If you're thinkingabout it, but aren't sure, maybe see whatskills you want to develop, professionallyor personally. Maybe it's a selfish way tothink about it, but if it helps you whileyou're helping them, then great. Whoknows, you might just end up gettingmore out of it than you think!

Youmight just end up gettingmore out of it than you think!

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There is no doubt that volunteerism is thebackbone of society and an invaluablecontribution. Whether people volunteerfor intrinsic reasons or extrinsic reasons,themajority of us are fortunate to have thecapacity to contribute to society and helpothers in some way.

I've been a volunteer on many levels overthe years and there is nothing moreimportant than recognising the value ofvolunteers, and in utilising that advantageto enhance theworlds of both the volunteerand the cause or purpose.

Get to know your volunteers

Find out what motivates your volunteers.What is their communication style? Whattypes of rewards and recognition do theyprefer? Why do they volunteer? Do theyvolunteer for intrinsic or extrinsic reasons?How can you use that knowledge toenhance their volunteering experience?

Give your volunteers something to do

This may seem obvious, but it is oftenmissed by larger organisations. What canyou get your volunteers to do? What aretheir talents and strengths, and what dothey enjoy doing? How can youmake theirrole mean something to them?

Ask for input

What ideas do your volunteers have forimprovement? What are their thoughtsabout the current processes, and how canthey help put some of these ideas intofruition? Listen to them.

Provide autonomy

Would they like to have moreresponsibility? How can you provideguidance, but not dictate their role?Provide them with the training,information and support they need in orderto fulfill their role.

Acknowledge special occasions

Give them a birthday or Christmas card.

Acknowledge moments whenvolunteers have to pull back

Be understanding and supportive of thethings that crop up in life that may impacton their ability or time to volunteer.

Celebrate success and acknowledgecontributions

Provide certificates or reference letters

Here are some ideas to help inspirethe volunteer within

Volunteer contributions equate to billions ofdollars annually across the globe. In 2009 it wasestimated that America donated8.1 billion hoursof volunteer service which equates to $169billion). Narrowing this down to WesternAustralia alone, in 2006anestimated$6.6 billionof time was contributed to community service!

What does this all mean?

Love Thy Volunteers by Linda Le

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Keep in contact

Communicate regularly. Why not create a newsletter to keep your volunteers informed?Make them feel that they belong.

Celebrate success and acknowledge contributions

Provide certificates or reference letters

Keep in contact

Communicate regularly. Why not create a newsletter to keep your volunteers informed?Make them feel that they belong.

As they say, look after your people first, and the restwill follow.

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Are you on Emergen yet?

emergenactivating emerging leaders

Emergen is a collaborative community activating emerging young leaders.

www.emergen.com.au

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Emergen Bloggers In Profile

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Alicia is one of Australia’s most experienced mentors of youngleaders. She has managed her own leadership developmentconsultancy since 2002, working with thousands of young peopleaged 12 - 35 years old.Alicia’s talent is in developing engaging leadership programs thatinspire young professionals to step up in their careers andcommunity. Alicia currently leads Emergen, an online communitythat activates young emerging leaders through connection topeople and resources, providing inspirational education programsand promotional opportunities.Alicia has just launched her second blog called Revolutionary Liveswhere she shares why people need to become a revolutionary inorder to live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

Alicia Curtis

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Marisa plays with words for a living as awriter, editor and journalist. ScienceNetwork WA pays her to talk to fascinatingscientists, prior to which she penned a fouryear long weekly column about politics,popular culture and life in Perth for TheSunday Leader newspaper which nowcontinues here.She occasionally gets to listen to and writeabout the latest independent music but sheconstantly plays games, takes photos andwrites about books she has read.When she isn't working, she's - well -working: on her novel 'Sedition'. She alsoruns the How to write a book group onEmergen.

Marisa Wirakramanayake

Jarrad is an Investment Adviser at Patersons SecuritiesLtd having graduated from Curtin University with FirstClass Honours in Finance.Jarrad has a particular passion for communityinvolvement as Director of Fundraising for the RotaryClub of Mt Lawley and his efforts saw him awarded theWA Youth Citizen of the Year Award. Jarrad is currentlyaBoardMember of the JohnCurtin Leadership Academyand involved in the annual fundraising event, Convictsfor a Cause.

Jarrad Brown

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Originally from England, Sonia arrived inAustralia in 2005, and has recentlymoved to Perth.Sonia works in Business Development,and over the years has had numerousopportunities to participate in volunteer/charity work where she has learnt newskills, met wonderful people, andhopefully been able to help out a littlealong the way.Sonia loves travelling, and has a varietyof hobbies. She has a passion for tryinganything new.

Sonia Carson

Almetra works for the Department of theAttorney General as a Senior Records Officer.Her father is from the Netherlands and hermother is from Indonesia.

Almetra's special interests are communitywork, international politics and working withpeople from diverse backgrounds.

Almetra volunteers with the Lady of GowrieCommunity Centre as a Homework SupportTutor helping refugee children with theirhomework. She also loves volunteeringbecause she has always wanted to work withpeople from diverse multicultural backgroundsand had the desire to give something back tothe community since Australia has supportedher and her family.

Almetra Bethlehem

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Tiang has been blogging since before the termweblog came about, and he hadto write in HTML code on websites like Geocities and Tripod. He has beeninvolved in IT for over 10 years, most recently as Director of a digital agencyhelping businesses become more successful.

He serves on anumber of non-profit committees and alsoworks on communitybased projects, through programs such as Rotaract and Emergen.

In his free time he is a presenter on a technology show called "GeekSpeak",and hacks his smartphones (iPhone and Android).

Tiang dreams of playing Starcraft 2 competitively in South Korea one day.

Tiang Cheng

Alexandra is currently completing a Bachelor ofCommunications, majoring in Public Relations andJournalism. She lives in Brisbanewith her boyfriend andtheir four cats. Writing keeps her centred and helps herto see the funny side of life, so she started her blog ‘Life:Past, Present and PR’ in 2011.

Alexandra’s love and passion for animals has alwaysbeen second nature to her and she hopes from hervolunteering story people can understand just why fourlegged fur babies touch her heart. Alexandra’s home isknown as “Kitty Kingdom” and she couldn’t be happierabout it.

Alexander Kerr

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For the last two years Lauren has been working as a CareerDevelopment Consultant within the Curtin Careers Centre at CurtinUniversity. Prior to that Lauren worked in a mixed student recruitmentand careers unit at Edith Cowan University. Her first job was as angraduate was with PVSWorkfind as an Employer Assistance Consultantas a casemanager for long term and highly disadvantaged unemployedindividuals. What she likes most about her current job is the variety ofskills she can develop, activities she engages in and the mix ofinteraction with both students and faculty academics.

Outside of work, Lauren likes to be active and enjoy diving, travelling,swimming, bike riding and running. Surf Life Saving has been a big partof her life, and she is a long service club members. Both of her parentsare life members and are still actively involved in many ways today.Lauren belongs to Trigg Surf Life Saving Club, where the motto is"Developing lives, Saving lives." The opportunities she has been ableto have as a result of being a Trigg Island member, have shaped her asa person and truly reflects the importance of volunteering in individualand community development.

Lauren Taylor

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Jenny is a young person with a passion for helping others have an impact onthe world around them. After spending two years as a strategy consultantwith a top-tier firm, she decided to follow her passion for social change anddevote her time to the non-profit sector.

Jenny is now leading the Room to Read Chapter in Brisbane, which has anetwork of over 300 local supporters and several large initiatives underwayfor 2011, following the successful visit of Room to Read Founder and BoardChair JohnWood in March (where over $300,000 was raised). She is focusedfull-time on the Chapter and furthering the outcomes of the research projectconducted with Volunteering Qld, Youth Leading Youth. The project aimed todiscover and document innovative models of engagement in volunteerorganisations led by young people. The research has expanded into a suiteof projects which include case studies, workshops for not-for-profits andestablishing a youth-focused volunteer network.

Jenny is currently completing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment anda Master of Development Practice at UQ. When not immersed in the worldof not-for-profits, Jenny is usually trying to improve her mountain bikingskills or reading a good book.

Jenny Geale

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Linda is a graduate from Curtin University of Technology with a Bachelor ofScience in Health Promotion and Honours in Public Health. During her timeat university, Linda has participated in the John Curtin Leadership Academyand is now the President on the Alumni Council.

Linda has a background working in public health focusing on the preventionalcohol and other drugs; tobacco control; and preventative health. She hashelped develop a state wide program which was effective in training,mentoring and coaching Rotarians right across WA to become Championswithin their own clubs to implement a healthy lifestyle initiative. Through herinvolvement in every aspect of the program, Linda has developed a keeninterest in coaching which has led her to complete an International CoachFederation certificate in Executive Coaching. Linda is a also member of theRotary Club of Mt Lawley.

Linda currently runs her own private business which aims to helporganisations achieve a more productive and profitable workforce throughproviding strategies in bridging the intergenerational gap. Her passion liesin the creation of inspirational leaders that are able motivate, engage anddevelop young employees to maximise their potential.

Linda Le

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Piriyie is an African-born Aussie, who was mostly raised in Perth butis a child of the world.

Piriyie loves to travel, write and experience culture and the arts,currently occupies her days in accountancy, and has hopes toeventually write full-time.

Rotaract and volunteering are also a huge part of Piriyie's life. Not sosecretly, she is toying with the idea of the 'great move' to Melbourne,lured by the suggestion of greater culture and passion. There's onlyone way to find out!

Finally she believes you only live once, so one must Carpe Diem!

Piriyie Altiraide

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Janine holds a Bachelors degree in Communications – Majoring in Film andMedia, and – after years of wondering what she was doing in life she foundherself in Project Management. That was over 6 years ago, and it’s been aninteresting experience with some amazing career highlights, such as winningan award for excelling in Project Management and being sent to Hawaii for acompany junket!

Which brings Janine to today:

Over the last year Janine has rediscovered her love for writing, as well as a newone – blogging! She is currently the National Blogging Coordinator forEmergen. In her role, she aims to encourage others to use blogging as a toolfor social change, as well as develop the blogging community, and the bloggersas well as those yet to blog) on Emergen.

Janine is the creator, photographer and writer of Reflections from a Red Head- http://reflectionsfromaredhead.com - where she has just commenced aseries titled ‘The Beauty of Difference’.

In the wise words of Confucius:

‘Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it’.

This is what she aims to change, through the use of words, interviews, guestposting, and photography.

Janine Ripper

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Tanya Dupagne was elected as theyoungest Councillor on the Town ofKwinana Council in 2009. She has workedextensively with young people in theKwinana community, runs the Dance 4Africa program, Koorliny Arts Centre BoysClub and Girls Club, and is the Co-ordinatorfor the Kwinana Children's Choir.

She works as the Programs & MarketingManager at the Koorliny Arts Centre, runsprograms in a number of schools, isinvolved with the Town of Kwinana YouthMentoring and LyriK programs and sits onnumerous community committees. She hasalso spent large amounts of time workingwith underprivileged and at risk children inAmerica, South Africa and Vietnam.

Tanya has won many awards for her workwithin her community, including thePremier's Active Citizenship Award, TownofKwinana Citizen of the Year, MartinWaudbyLeadership Award, Rotary YouthLeadership Award, the 2008/2009 SPARKMentoring Program through the AustraliaCouncil for the Arts and the 2010 Children'sWeek Awards Meerilinga Adult Award ofRecognition.

Tanya Dupagne

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Don Bales is the President of the 2011 Junior Chamber International – SydneyChapter and is active in creating opportunities for young Australians to enablethem to create positive change through involvement in community projects,training programs, business and social events, and international functions. In2006, he was awarded the Most Outstanding JCI Member in Asia Pacific and inthe Philippines. He is a JCICertifiedNational Trainor andwas also awardedMostOutstanding Trainor by JCI Australia in 2010. His most notable JCI projectsinclude organising the JCI Sydney delegation to the 1st Australian ChambersBusiness Congress, leading the Business Networking Event for JCI Philippinesin 2006, organizing the Ten Outstanding Students of Makati in 2003, revivingthe all-female JCI chapter in Makati City all of which demonstrated his strongleadership, project planning, and organizational skills.

He has travelled in various cities across America, Europe, and Asia Pacificwhere he was able to establish good networks with young professionals andentrepreneurs. Apart from his JCI credentials, Don also has an experiencebeing a Senior Manager for Accenture, one of the world’s largest managementand I.T. consulting firm working with various clients internationally.

Don Bales

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Belinda Vecchio is a true example of the heart of a volunteer. She has a strongpassion to use her skills to help those less fortunate and make a difference inthe world. Since her late teens Belinda realised she had an interest in helpingothers and whilst working full-time as a draftsperson in the Engineering fieldin which she is qualified and is still working, she voluntarily started assistingnon-profit organisations with fundraising for their worthwhile causes.

19 years later Belinda has been the heart and driver behind countlessfundraising activities, providing awareness and much needed financialsupport, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for humanitarian projectsthat reduce suffering and provide education, training and support to childrenand communities in crisis. Belinda self-funds all of her travel expenses and isan advocate for assisting people with a hand up and not a hand out.

Wealth With A Cause was founded in 2007 from an overwhelming response toBelinda’s personal fundraising success and global humanitarian interests andexperiences. www.WealthWithACause.org

Belinda Vecchio

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Ally has over 5 years experience in the events industry. After variousadministration positions Ally went to TAFE and then University to completed abusiness degreemajoring in TourismandEventManagement. Whilst at uni Allyworkedwith various event industry companies such as EECW,MeetingMastersand EMRC. Upon graduation Ally securied a position as a Conference & EventsCoordinator with the Rendezvous Hotel in Scarborough.

Now, Ally works with the Property Council of Australia as and Events Co-Ordinator and regularly runs Breakfasts, Lunches, Awards Nights andCorporate Golf Days for the Property Industry. Ally has been involved withEmergen over the last two years after meeting Alicia Curtis at an eventsindustry function.

Ally is currently the Competitions Co-Ordinator for Emergen - a role in whichshe is enjoying. Other activities outside of work that Ally enjoys are geneology,photography and playing the piano.

Ally Millington

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Amanda is a screenwriter, philosopher at heart, environmentalist andglobe-trotter. She is currently undertaking a Master of Science inSustainability Management and juggling full time work as anEnvironment Officer, as well as well as branching out into the filmindustry.

For more on Amanda, check out her blog:

http://confessionsofagreenqueen.blogspot.com

Amanda Joseph

www.emergen.com.au