Before volunteering with an organization, there are several important factors to consider:
Time commitment: Assess how much time you can realistically dedicate to volunteering, including the frequency (e.g., weekly, monthly) and duration of your commitment.
Personal interests and skills: Identify your passions, strengths, and areas where you’d like to develop new skills12. Choose opportunities that align with your interests and allow you to utilize or enhance your abilities.
Organization’s mission and values: Ensure the organization’s purpose aligns with your beliefs and values. Research the organization thoroughly to understand its goals and impact.
Location and transportation: Consider the distance to the volunteer site, how you’ll get there, and any associated costs.
Role description and expectations: Request a clear, specific role description outlining your responsibilities, expected hours, and any required qualifications.
Training and support: Inquire about the organization’s onboarding process, including any necessary training or orientation.
Insurance and safety: Verify that the organization has adequate insurance coverage for volunteers and that appropriate safety measures are in place.
Volunteer policies and agreements: Ask about the organization’s volunteer policies, including any agreements you may need to sign.
Feedback and recognition: Understand how the organization values and recognizes its volunteers, including opportunities for growth and development.
Personal goals: Clarify your reasons for volunteering and set realistic goals for what you hope to achieve through the experience.
By carefully considering these factors, you can ensure a more fulfilling and successful volunteering experience that benefits you and the organization you support.
Substantial research supports the idea that people who volunteer live happier lives. Multiple studies have found a strong link between volunteering and increased happiness, life satisfaction, and overall well-being.
Mental Health Benefits:
Volunteering has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health:
- A University of Exeter meta-analysis of 40 studies found that volunteering had a favourable effect on depression, life satisfaction, and well-being.
- 94% of people who volunteered in the last twelve months reported that volunteering improves their mood.
- Volunteers scored significantly higher on quality-of-life measures compared to non-volunteers in a review of 37 correlational studies.
- Volunteering was associated with greater well-being, as measured by the General Health Survey.
Physical Health and Longevity:
Research also indicates that volunteering can contribute to better physical health and increased longevity:
- Volunteers reported fewer depressive symptoms, improved perceived mental and physical health, and a stronger sense of capability and purpose.
- Studies have found up to a 40% reduced mortality risk within four years for regular volunteers.
- Volunteering was associated with better mental and physical health, life satisfaction, self-esteem, happiness, and lower depressive symptoms.
Neurochemical Effects:
- The act of volunteering has been linked to the release of “happiness hormones”:
- When you volunteer, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, often called ‘happiness hormones’.
- This phenomenon, known as ‘helpers high’, gives volunteers an immediate sense of gratification and well-being.
Social Connections and Purpose:
Volunteering also contributes to happiness by fostering social connections and a sense of purpose:
- 31% of people reported making a close friend while volunteering.
- 45% of poll respondents felt an increased sense of purpose from volunteering, while 36% reported increased happiness.
- Volunteering provides a sense of social connection and the opportunity to build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
In conclusion, the research overwhelmingly supports the notion that volunteers tend to live happier lives, experiencing benefits in mental health, physical well-being, social connections, and overall life satisfaction.
*Many non-profit organizations require members to have a current police background check done. Here’s where you can begin this process in Cochrane: https://www.cochrane.ca/town-services/public-safety/rcmp/criminal-record-checks