December 04th, 2024

I was raised to believe in the importance of giving back.   Donating money, absolutely.  Donating food, clothes, books, for sure!  But donating time too.  And that's the element that is most lacking.  Everybody is so very busy, genuinely busy, in their lives that it's hard to carve out time to help out especially on a regular basis.    It's a real thing and I'm not faulting anyone for their lack of time.  Or choosing to do things other than volunteering in what little free time you have available.  I truly do understand and support that.

But for those of us with the time and desire to do so, volunteering is a big part of our lives.   And the organizations where we volunteer our time, energy, talent and abilities are eternally grateful for us.  Many of these organizations simply would not exist without their volunteers. And that would be a terrible shame.

I suppose it's worth nothing that as much good as volunteers do in their community, it makes us feel just as good to help out. To make a difference in other people's lives gives such a sense of purpose!  I'm doing good just by volunteer my time.  Helping you is, essentially, also helping me!

I've been doing volunteer work of one sort of another for a very long time.  At one time I  created an English as a Second Language program for an elementary school, as a volunteer.  I've taught beginner piano, just for the pleasure of introducing children to learning music.    I've tutored, edited and encouraged all levels of all sorts of writers for a very long time now.    

At one time I was a literacy volunteer at the local library.  I worked at a food bank & assistance program and I've worked as a docent at two different museums.  I've loved each of these volunteer positions and, luckily,  they loved what I did for them as well.

But now I'm going to complain a little bit.  I would apologize in advance but I am not sorry about what I am going to say.  In the paragraph above I wrote that I worked at these positions and I'm finding that I get blowback from a lot of different sources over my use of that word.  Worked.

I've heard, 'you cannot work as a volunteer' , 'it's not work if you aren't getting paid',   'you cannot call it work if it's not a real job" and many other things like that.  Apparently the issue is the use of the word work relative to a non-paid position.

Just so you know, I  did look up the definition of the word "work" and here it is:

"activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result"

It says nothing about payment or contracts. It does not differentiate between a "real job" and a  "volunteer job".  So.  Volunteer positions are work.  It's valid.  And I assure you that while I am busy with my volunteering, whatever it may be, I am indeed working.   I take it seriously.  I am giving my all,  I am doing my best.  Sometimes I am hauling, lifting and climbing.  Sometimes I am doing research or answering questions or educating.   Volunteers are absolutely involved in mental and or physical effort to achieve a purpose or results. You betcha!  That's what we do.

In various volunteer positions, I was crunching numbers,  keeping the books straight, attending meetings, representing my organization out in the community and even appearing in TV ads.   I've spent hours on the phone, doing meet and greets, attended conferences,  and created Policies and Procedures.  I've helped to secure countless grants to keep organizations afloat, sat at the bedside of dying people and conducted endless tours.  All as a volunteer.

When I am volunteering, I am working.  Please understand that it is a labour of love but it is still work. The only difference between your work and mine is that I don't get paid for mine and I am not contractually obligated to anything.  That's it.  It's honestly the only difference. 

I'm done being denigrated for calling what I do work.  It is work.   Please do not look down on those of us whose work is volunteerism.  We are hard at our work, just like you.  And our work is important. Just like yours.

end of rant, thank you ;)