What Are the Rewards for a Volunteer to Work for an Organization for No Pay?
In a money-centric world, it can be hard to understand why someone would volunteer and work without pay for any organization. However, volunteering can have surprisingly valuable rewards. In addition to the intangible emotional benefits, many volunteers are eligible for myriad perks and opportunities.
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Emotional Rewards
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Volunteering often means providing a service for others who can't provide it for themselves. From this can come an immensely satisfying feeling of being needed and valued. Volunteers also experience a sense of belonging and oneness with their community, in addition to gaining an outlet to give back to an organization that once helped them. Volunteers gain the satisfaction of having made a difference in the lives of others and demonstrating their commitment to, enthusiasm for and care about their community.
Career Benefits
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Volunteer work greatly enhances a CV and demonstrates a volunteer's capacity to understand the connection between his personal benefit and the common good. It also enables volunteers to meet and interact with a variety of individuals, many of whom may prove valuable networking contacts. Volunteering can provide work experience for recent graduates or young people and help them learn new skills that may be useful at a later job. In addition, volunteering can broaden career options by exposing volunteers to different industries and experiences.
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Health & Social Benefits
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Many volunteer positions, such as construction projects and interaction with youth, help volunteers to stay active and in shape. They also improve emotional health by providing regular interaction with like-minded individuals and an outlet for meeting new people in a safe setting. Volunteering can lead to the discovery of new interests and hobbies, which can in turn lead to a broader range of social options and contacts. It also provides the chance to be a leader and mentor or teach younger volunteers.
Other Benefits
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Some organizations have taken to offering tangible rewards for volunteering. American Express, for example, announced its volunteering points program in 2010, which allowed cardholders who participated in the program to earn 500 points for every hour volunteered. The same year, Walt Disney Parks initiated a program in partnership with Hands On Network that rewards one day of volunteering with Hands On with a free day at a Disney park. Do Good Get Rewards, also started in 2010, allows volunteers to validate volunteer hours online and receive rewards such as restaurant gift cards, hotel stays and vacations.
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