{"id":12450,"date":"2023-09-09T10:19:54","date_gmt":"2023-09-09T14:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/?p=12450"},"modified":"2023-09-09T10:20:51","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T14:20:51","slug":"the-importance-of-volunteering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/the-importance-of-volunteering\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Volunteering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Declan Murphy<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by Kiritika Rana<\/p>\n

Designed by Kiritika Rana<\/p>\n

Published by Kiritika Rana<\/p>\n

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Are you a volunteer, or are you interested in volunteering? Good for you! No, seriously – it\u2019s good for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

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In Ontario, high schoolers are currently asked to volunteer 40 hours of their time to a worthy cause before graduation. It would be a good thing if this requirement led to a lifetime of volunteering because the practice benefits more than just the organizations. Volunteering is important for you and your community.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to sociologist John Wilson, \u201cVolunteering is any activity in which time is given freely to benefit another person, group or cause.\u201d Many of the same qualities that bring people to activism are the same ones that draw people to volunteering, and there is significant overlap in participants, though volunteering tends to involve more structure than activism. Both sets of activities are also connected to the impulses we learn in our families to contribute constructively to the well-being of others, and these are good qualities to foster in ourselves and our children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Volunteering can improve a person\u2019s self-esteem, career success, and social engagement, and might even benefit them physically. Therapist Jeanne Segal has highlighted multiple benefits of volunteering for the volunteer. Volunteering can teach you new skills, and add more enjoyment to your life. It can also foster more connections to your community, which can also have tangible benefits for your education and career, as well as your social well-being. Further, volunteering can be beneficial for both your mind and your body, adding much-needed physical activity, as well as a heightened sense of purpose and fulfillment in one\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In a 2000 study, Wilson found that volunteering was particularly beneficial to young people, and similar studies done by others seem to suggest that older people\u2019s lives are also specifically enriched by volunteering. Since volunteering as a kid can encourage lifelong volunteerism, doing so may improve your quality of life well into the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In a 2008 paper, economists Stephan Meier and Alois Stutzer found that volunteering was a reward in itself, and that \u201cvolunteers are more satisfied with their life than non-volunteers.\u201d Of course, it\u2019s probably more complicated than this line suggests, but study after study has found that volunteering is beneficial for all involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

The community and its organizations also benefit from the work of volunteers. Non-profit organizations make up a very high percentage of our society\u2019s health, welfare and social\/education programs, and without volunteers, many of them would have to close or significantly reduce their activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Volunteerism has been playing an increased role in the power and effectiveness of environmental and nature conservation organizations over the past few decades. As the number of groups increases, and sources of funding become more scarce, such groups would be less likely to survive and flourish if it wasn\u2019t for volunteerism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth in Food Systems<\/span><\/a> is one volunteer-based organization that works to increase food security and sustainability, with a focus on connecting young people to our food systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a part of the <\/span>Seeds of Diversity<\/span><\/a> initiative, a Canadian organization that aims to preserve heirloom and endangered seeds and educate people on the tradition and value of seed saving, YFS does a lot to increase biodiversity and cultivate awareness of local foods and farming. YFS runs nearly 50 school gardens where children can get their hands dirty, as well as a food market to get good foods into the hands of local families. Further, YFS runs the blog you are reading right now, giving teens like me even more opportunities to learn about food systems and volunteer for a worthy cause! If you\u2019re interested in helping the environment, this organization has a lot of practical ways you can help in your community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check YFS out, here: <\/span>Volunteer Opportunities | Youth in Food Systems<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Volunteers working for environmental causes join up for many reasons, ranging from a love of nature or the outdoors, general concerns over climate change or habitat loss, a desire to help the planet for the sake of their children or grandchildren, and a desire to make their own lives, health and environments better. Most volunteers cite multiple reasons all at once, and it\u2019s clear that groups like YFS offer great opportunities to both its volunteers and the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ancient philosopher Aristotle once claimed that \u201cthe essence of life is to serve others and do good.\u201d Volunteering is one practical way to improve your life by doing just that, with some very tangible benefits to the volunteer.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in finding volunteer opportunities near you in Canada, please visit <\/span>Volunteer Canada<\/span><\/a> and check out what\u2019s available. There is something for everyone!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Have a story to share about your own volunteer experience? Please share in the comments, below.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anon. (n.d.) <\/span>Kind Volunteers | Free SVG<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

City of Cambridge. (2023). <\/span>Volunteer – City of Cambridge<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Conference Board of Canada. (2018.) <\/span>Value of Volunteering in Canada<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Halpenny, E. A., and L.T. Caissie. “<\/span>Volunteering on nature conservation projects: volunteer experience, attitudes and values<\/span><\/a>.” Tourism recreation research 28.3 (2003): 25-33.<\/span><\/p>\n

Independent Sector. (2023.) <\/span>Quarterly Health Report of the US Nonprofit Sector, June 2023<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meier, S., and A. Stutzer. (2008.) “<\/span>Is Volunteering Rewarding in Itself?<\/span><\/a>” <\/span>Economica<\/span><\/i> 75.297 (2008): 39-59.<\/span><\/p>\n

Morrow-Howell, N. (2010.) “<\/span>Volunteering in later life: Research frontiers<\/span><\/a>.” <\/span>Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences<\/span><\/i> 65.4: 461-469.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Parks Service. (n.d.) <\/span>Michelle planting native grasses. NPS Photo\/M.Reed. Original public domain image from Flickr.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Seeds of Diversity. (2023.) <\/span>Seeds of Diversity<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Segal, J. & L. Robinson. (2023.) <\/span>Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits – HelpGuide.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

V\u00e9zina, M. and S. Crompton. (2012.) <\/span>Volunteering in Canada<\/span><\/a>. StatsCan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Volunteer Canada. (2023.) <\/span>Volunteer Canada<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Volunteer Hub. (2023.) <\/span>40 Volunteer Statistics That Will Blow Your Mind | VolunteerHub<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Wilson, J. (2000.) “<\/span>Volunteering<\/span><\/a>.” <\/span>Annual Review of Sociology<\/span><\/i> 26.1: 215-240.<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth in Food Systems. (2023.) <\/span>Youth in Food Systems<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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