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Celebrate By Saying
Thank You
By
Joan E. Thompson |
Plymouth
- Last month I shared my observations on
“Where Volunteers Come From.” This month, I share the
perspectives of more than 100 volunteers from all across
south eastern Massachusetts. As National Volunteer Week
(April 28th – May 2nd) approached, the Southeastern
Massachusetts Volunteer Council (SEMVC) conducted an
informal survey to learn, “What gets Volunteers to serve?”
When do you remember performing your first act of
helping?
Almost one in ten people responding to the survey said
they began volunteering before they were seven years old.
The vast majority (78%) remembered first volunteering before
the age of 18 years. The majority of folks (91%) told us
they began their most recent volunteer assignment at 30
years or older, and have served there for one to five years.
This may suggest that volunteering begun early in life may
be linked to people continuing to volunteer throughout their
lifetime. The length of that first assignment was from one
month to one year.
Would you say that is true for yourself?
The range of time that most volunteers (85%) reported
spending on their most recent service activity ranged from
one to five years. For those of us seeking help from
volunteers, this may suggest “Don’t expect volunteers to
give you their lifetime.” Most stay in one assignment from
one to five years.
When asked “who or what” prompted you to perform that first
volunteer assignment, the responses were quite diverse. But
almost all pointed to the influence of an important person
in their lives who encouraged them to volunteer; a parent, a
teacher, a school librarian or a church leader. So, again,
never underestimate the power of “Asking” someone to help –
especially someone who already knows and respects you!
Finally, when asked, “When I need help doing something, do I
consider I am “recruiting” volunteers myself?” more than 58%
said they do. Of those who do reach out for help, just under
half (47%) reported that they would reach out based on the
relationship they have with those whose help they seek, more
than on location or even shared interest in the “cause.”
Maybe this will give you some food for thought the first
week in this month of May, which includes National Volunteer
Week. And hopefully, some useful suggestions for reaching
out to others during May, Older Americans Month! |
About The Author
Joan
Thompson is the Executive Director for Mayflower RSVP, Inc.,
a non-profit organization mobilizing Volunteer Service
Activities in Plymouth County. She has directed RSVP’s
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program for nearly 30 years,
working with 200 public/private, health, human service, and
educational organizations to provide meaningful volunteer
service opportunities for members in the RSVP program. She
may be contacted at RSVP’s Plymouth County headquarters,
(508) 746-7787 or via email at
MayflowerRSVP@Verizon.net.
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