Poll Do You Volunteer?

[City Slicker]

I have volunteered for several years and still do. I enjoy it and I look for volunteer work that is a two-way street - I look for orgs that have room to contribute to the volunteer as well as having the volunteer contributing to them. If it's all going one-way (me to them) then I avoid those organizations.

I am usually careful in how much time I can give right now so I take on volunteer jobs that are time limited (like seasonal sports commitments, marathon course marshalling when I am not running, youth sporting events, volunteer security etc.)

I can't speak to 'symptoms' as I don't think that way. I just find volunteering a way to contribute, connect, learn and challenge myself and avoid my own career burnout.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I personally would like to add to this thread in one simple vein.

Voluntary work is exactly that, voluntary. If it were not then it would be enforced. At the end of the day enforced non-paid labor is simply one thing, enforced. Forcing a person to work a set number of hours without pay. This would IMHO be tantamount to slave labor. I hope I speak for many on this forum when I say this next bit.

There are many here whom have been victim of enforced labor and the travisty that is slavery. To say that a person with the Disability of PTSD "Should" be made to volunteer is therfore tantamount to just that. Forcing a disabled person to work for no payment. I chose to volunteer in a limited capacity as it helps to keep my mind active. No one would expect a severely physically disabled person to work in any capacity what so ever, For example a blind person would never be expected to, they may chose to as may a deaf person of a wheelchair bound Veteran. It is a matter for the individual themselves. The fact that all of us so far on this thread 'would' be prepared to volunteer in some form of capacity is enough. There are those of us who have and do volunteer and it is commendable to all who have or do.

At the end of the day we all live in the developed world and we are no longer entrounced in medieval times when slaves or those *forced to perform* was acceptable.

Just my own opinion as I foresee this thread heading down the road of "well I do it so why don't you!"

You do it because you chose to as do I, however for those with more severe PTSD it is just simply NOT an option

 

[Kintsugi]

@cindymolly That's crazy! I drove to our local humane society, asked to volunteer by walking some dogs, and they told me to go right ahead and help myself! :wideeyed:

 

[Deleted member 1860]

@Simply Simon

Yes, at our Humane Society you have to go to an intake session, then submit an application, then have an interview, THEN go through training. Just to walk dogs. Its EXHAUSTING. I've tried to go through the process twice now. I have problems getting to the interview (cancelled both times).

 

[joeylittle]

I foresee this thread heading down the road of "well I do it so why don't you!"

I don't know, that's a very dire prediction.

I currently volunteer for the forum. When work is slower, I volunteer at a free meal/soup kitchen place. I like doing volunteer work that really just just about being an extra pair of hands. Nothing more, nothing less. Manual stuff. I would be happy to do time at an animal shelter, because I truly benefit from any time I spend with animals, even cleaning up poop. But, like @Solara shared, in my area they are very particular about who they are willing to work with, and that usually is a sign to me that an organization actually doesn't need the help.

So, yeah, when I have time. Just serving food and washing dishes. I actually really, really love washing dishes. So I get something out of it too. But I've got no sense that I'm better than someone else because I like washing dishes and I found a place that will support my habit.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

@joeylittle

My dad is the same....he likes washing dishes! He says its therapeutic. I tell him hey all the more power to you!

Just curious, are there certain types of places that aren't quite so picky about their volunteers? Or is it really on a case-by-case basis? At this point I have no idea where I could even look that wouldn't put me through the ringer just when trying to help out.

 

[joeylittle]

Honestly, homeless shelters and soup kitchens have always been very welcoming, in my experience. I think it comes down to - is this something that no-one wants to do? Then yes, please, come help! Whereas, working with puppies and kittens is something people want to do, so they decide they need to do a background check.

Basically, jobs that just need hands and aren't very exciting and/or glamorous. Oh - another kind of thing I've heard is really easy to get into is volunteering in nursing homes. Now, that might be upsetting - but there are lots of old folks that don't have anyone, and there are things that need doing. But I think it depends on what kind of home.

Tell your dad he is not alone :tup:. Dishes. Best thing in the world. Simple, repetitive, impossible to do quickly.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I currently volunteer for the forum. When work is slower, I volunteer at a free meal/soup kitchen place. I like doing volunteer work that really just just about being an extra pair of hands. Nothing more, nothing less. Manual stuff.

I too volunteer at a homeless meal drop in, so much so that I have taken the step to qualify in level 2 catering as I want to be more than just a server and that I am now. I am in fact the kitchen manager every Sunday night at our local Baptist Church led Sunday Supper for the homeless and needy.

In relation to my "dire prediction", I can only speak from experience personally as to when I have been berated for the same. I used to work 50+ employed hours a week, many all night and I did not volunteer at all. I had a colleague on half the employed hours state the same to me once. I nearly blew a gasket as even though I am on disability benefits myself we have a local guy who is homeless, first thing every day I buy him a hot cup of tea. He never asks for it but is always grateful.

I believe in karma but just feel that voluntary is just that voluntary and should never be seen as something expected of anyone.

A few years ago here in the UK the government wanted the unemployed (all) to be forced to do manual volunteer work for the community to "Give them a sense of 'self worth', UH NO! Mr Prime Minister. Some of us are on benefits because we in fact NEED to be!

 

[NarcSis]

I volunteered for a while but had to stop. I had bad experiences where I was feeling pressured to give more time than was comfortable for me, one organization not only collected volunteer dues but also required we maintain a gallery membership so it cost me $120/yr to volunteer with them.
I found no reward giving my time only to feel under-appreciated and not gaining any useable skills in return. Also expending money to get to volunteer duties with no income just made no logical sense to me.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Ahh, OK, I understand now! I feel like I'm trying to hide something by even expressing myself here, like I've done something wrong and need to hide it from these organizations, but that's not the case.

There is a local organization that I found an online application for...a homeless shelter & outreach program. They are asking for employment information. I don't feel comfortable putting someone down given that I haven't worked since 2008....and it was at BORDERS at all places which is as we all know, closed. Although that would give me an easy out, right? LOL

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Disgraceful @Solara , were you responsible for the crash of the Barings Bank as well ;)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Well, I left Borders before their downfall, so I have no responsibility for them going out of business! (I loved that job!)