It has been a long time since I offered a post that posed a question about volunteering. It has always been a given that, after retirement, there is often a desire to spend part of one's time serving in some way. The benefits of helping others have been well-known for quite a long time.
Like many, I over-committed myself during the first several years. While things like Prison Ministry and being a Stephen Minister counselor were fulfilling, both took a lot of time and energy. Then, I added in some food bank work and I found myself resenting the demands on my time, demands I had accepted. There was no one to blame, and no one who could put his life back into balance except me. So, I focused on what was the best match for my personality and skill set.
That realization led me to write the post a decade ago asking readers for ideas on how they decided if volunteering was important. And, if so, how did they decide which opportunities to pursue. I hoped asking for ideas would help others decide on the proper balance.
It is high time to get some fresh input and ideas from you. The last time, dozens of comments presented possibilities for helping others and the community that apparently hit a chord. The number of views was one of the highest for this blog during its first year.
So, here we go again.
I know many of the folks who visit this blog are active volunteers in all sorts of ways. So, I would deeply appreciate you responding in the comment section below with answers to any of these questions (if they apply to your volunteer situation):
1. What volunteer work do you do?
2. How did you decide this was a good fit?
3. Did try a few different things before you found one that fit you?
4. Have there been any drawbacks?
Like everyone else, I am very interested in learning about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities that exist for us. I bet there will be things I have never thought of that would be a tremendous way to give back to my community while feeling good about myself.
So, please, anything you do to help....let us know. Teaching Sunday school, walking a neighbor's dog because she can't, school crossing guard......it doesn't have to be as dramatic as working with prison inmates, but it might be! Our society has more needs than we have volunteers.
Do you know someone who is an inspiration in this area but he or she doesn't normally read this blog? Could I ask you a favor: would you ask them to come over this one time and tell us about what they do?
I am sincerely looking forward to your ideas, thoughts, and cautions.
I want to contribute my strengths where there is a need. Currently, I have two volunteer activities involving math skills. I volunteer at the local Adult Learning Center helping one adult once hour per week to gain the skills to get her high school equivalency diploma. I also volunteer at the local Boys and Girls Club one hour per week to help kids in grades 4 through 6 with their homework. These volunteer activities are sometimes rewarding and frustrating. The adult doesn’t always do her homework or sometimes cancels our appointment because her life obligations take precedence over my assistance. The homework room in the Boys and Girls Club is often noisy with kids coming in and out, which distracts the students that I’m attempting to help. Am I passionate about these activities? No. Frequently, I think that I’m not making any progress. On the other hand, I’m doing something for the benefit of others in need, for which I get some degree of satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteA couple of good ideas, Rick. Coming from a family of teachers, I like both your activities. I'm not sure I have the patience to work in a noisy environment with a school=aged child, but the one-on-one adult tutor is something I could find engrossing.
DeleteI'm glad you mentioned the reality of volunteer work: it can be a mixture of frustration and satisfaction. But, if the commitment is to give back in some way, both feelings come with the territory.
Hi Bob. Volunteering fills a need I have to be part of my community and to kind of pay it forward, in thanksgiving for the blessings I have. Also, my mental and physical well being rely on being active and hard working, even though I no longer “work!” Lol. When we lived in Pine Ken and I both volunteered at Meals on Wheels. We spent a morning twice a week packing up our car with meals, then driving around Pine and Strawberry to deliver and do safety checks.Many of the clients needed some conversation and often a plate of cookies and some hot coffee were waiting for us, so the activity took quite some time, and we thoroughly enjoyed it!! Here in the Valley, I tried volunteering with a kitty rescue but found I was too skittish around the cats who were scared and hissy and hard to handle. I found I do love working at AZCEND, a local food bank and community center that offers programs for families. I haven’t been there in months,due to Covid, and was just about to go back..and now, Omicron. I stayed as long as people wore masks . I want to go back after Christmas. I also “volunteer” to all my friends, any time anyone needs a ride to a doctors office,chemo,radiation treatments, you name it.. some of my friends live alone with no family nearby and I don’t want anyone to ever have to wait in a doctors office alone or go through a treatment alone if they can have someone at their side. My friends know they can call on me 24/7. I feel I can give two days a week to volunteer,so I am looking at another way to serve.Will follow this post!! But , for now,I am avoiding crowds, maybe by February Omicron will have settled down… I think I can safely return to AZCEND, the area I worked was partially outdoors and I am sure they are enforcing masks.
ReplyDeleteYou raise an often overlooked type of volunteering: the casual, as-needed help given to friends and acquaintances who need assistance with transportation or just being with them at doctor appointments.
DeletePersonally, I think the offer to being with someone during a stressful time is a fabulous way to help. It is the type of thing that organizations can't do; it takes a personal touch.
Interesting that you mention AZCEND. Until recently, I was unaware of that organization and the tremendous range of services they offer. Betty and I were looking for someplace that could actively use an end-of-the-year donation, and AZCEND rose to the top of the list.
I LOVE AZCEND. Their services extend to Gilbert,too!! Yes,going to doctors appts with friends who are single,widowed etc. is important—a good friend of mine “FORGOT” to tell her doctor a significant piece of medical history (which I knew about) and I had to remind her. Being a retired Nurse,I like being able to make sure I jot down instructions and explain things to my friends that they may not have understood during a quick visit. Someone I have become a colonoscopy expert,lol! I have a couple of friends whom I drive to that yearly appointment!! They both love EARLY MORNING appts so we driving in the dark… and are home by noon. Some friends ask me to go IN with them on their visits..Some just need a ride and I wait in waiting room.Whatever it takes!!
DeletePS: MORE on AZCEND— by working there I learned how MUCH FOOD the local markets donate!! Trader Joe sends all their about to be expired foods bakery dairy etc to AZCEND> BASHAS also sends SO MUCH FOOD! I mean meat, dairy, produce, you name it, plus other grocery stores donate. It is wonderful to see!!! We give whole grocery carts of food to families,filled with meats,seafood,dairy, cookies, canned goods, rice,etc.. and fresh produce.
Great question. It took me a while to find the situation that fit me after we moved but I have become very involved in my social & service club. Currently I am board President and that suites me well as it uses many of my strengths as well as work skills. I decided on this situation because my fellow members feel like my "tribe" and I have made some good friends. I also really value what types of service we do through scholarships, service projects for underserved individuals and donations to other groups that do the same. There is also an interesting educational component as well as fun to our monthly meetings. I also find it provides a good mix of interaction plus work on my own given my role.
ReplyDeleteBefore our move I was very involved for years with The Friends of the Library for my local library. In the same role and for the same reasons.
I have found my work on the board of our local Friends of the Library to be very rewarding as well The Chandler library system is very involved in community service and programming. Raising money that allows them to do more is quite gratifying.
DeleteI have never been one to think about social groups, like Rotary or the like. But, I did join the Kauai Rotary Club to show support for the community in which I am invested in a radio station.
I had no idea how active the Rotary Clubs all across the country are in a tremendous range of community service projects. I have given some thought to attending a local meeting to see if that might be a good place to make friends and become involved in something meaningful.
Once retired, I decided on hospice volunteer work, as our family had a couple really positive experiences with hospice. I have done a few roles with them, but of course one-on-one patient visits were halted last year for Covid. I was also learning the harp for bedside music, but I've fallen off a cliff on that since our harp group stopped meeting. One of my 2022 plans is to get back up to speed on that. Right now, we are writing notes to patients weekly and there is some phone interaction, but I haven't taken on the phone role, only because I am not sure I'd like it.
ReplyDeleteWe were allowed to go back to in person work for a brief time this summer, and I found I really enjoy a new role I tried. We interview patients (usually 2-3 times) that want to tell their Life Story, then we write it up for them and bind it into a book for their family -- including any pictures they care to add. I have a heard some fascinating life stories and met some great people this way. It's a fair amount of work (transcribing the recording, editing, etc.) but I really enjoy it.
We have a world class sculpture park and gardens here, and I have a friend who is a docent and LOVES it. I'm thinking I might get involved there, but haven't done it yet. I am very conscious of overextending myself, as I know I have that tendency.
The Life Story idea is a great one. That would make the person, and his or her family, so happy. Too much family history is lost since oral story telling has gone away.
DeleteI did work as a docent at Frank Lloyd Wright's home (Taliesin West) in Scottsdale for several years. The people were always so eager to learn some tidbits about the man and his life. It is now too far away for me to do that again, but you mentioning docent work reminded me of how satisfying that volunteering was.
I remember you mentioning the harp before, just because so few people play that beautiful instrument.
I really really wanted to volunteer after I retired. RNs are always needed right? Well, the fact is, every organization wants a regular weekly schedule without fail. I was burned out and exhausted after 4 decades. My workweek was rarely less than 55 hours and that doesn't include getting ready and commute. Even the foodbank wants a schedule.
ReplyDeleteI retired to relax, rejuvinate and have full control of my life. I wanted to call on a Friday and say, "I am available all of next week". Nope, not good enough. So after 2 years, I gave up my license at renewal in '21.
Do I feel bad that I'm not volunteering? Yes, to a degree. I promised myself to take care of me first in retirement. If I wanted a schedule I wouldn't have retired.
Now that I've replaced my 2nd knee, I will be looking for day-volunteerism in the community. I live in a wonderful outdoor area and there is trail clearing, tree planting, river management types of opportunities. So I do look forward to volunteering :-)
Volunteering has to be a good fit or what should be a "feel-good" experience disappoints. Being an RN is one of those professions that almost demands some serious "me" time after the career has ended.
DeleteYou are right about the need for a regular commitment from most places. That is understandable from their perspective, but there are seasons in our life when that is just not possible.
After your knee fully heals and the latest Covid scare calms down, I truly hope you find something that works for you. Outdoors maintenance might be just the ticket.
After retirement from nursing people seemed to assume I would want to do hospital volunteering,lol!! My goal was to stay out of hospitals for a good long while! Helping friends with medical is one thing but after 30 years in nursing, doing OTHER STUFF now that i am retired— learning NEW things and being in challenging and fun community projects that are NOT health care related , is more my cuppa tea.
DeleteI retired in Jan 2020, not long before Covid hit. In the meantime, I'm VP of an international women's club in Europe. Not my cup of tea at all...I prefer to be just a member and participate in the activities, not on the board. But I am happy using my communications skills to do volunteer English proofreading for an international coalition of humanitarian agencies (I work for the HQ) and for the anti-tobacco people in my country, who face a huge uphill battle against that evil industry. I hope to start doing hands-on volunteering for the area food bank when I return after the holidays; much more fulfilling work for me.
ReplyDeleteIt may not be a good fit for you, but the concept sounds fascinating. The librarian/school teacher in me lights up at the concept of proofreading!
DeleteFrankly, I am surprised by the state of the tobacco battle in your area. America has give up, I guess believing that making people aware of the health menace is good enough. If they want to kill themselves by smoking, then a harmful product generates tax revenue, so we'll look the other way.
Hi Bob! I don't yet consider myself fully retired...not sure I ever will...but I do volunteer. I do it because it makes me feel good and I truly believe it is a benefit to others....a win/win for sure. But as I change I also tend to change what roles I take on. In the past I mentored high school girls and it was wonderful. I did it for four years during the school year. Eventually the ineptitude of management got to me so I stopped. When the benefits are less than the positive influence I hope to be making dwindle, it is time to move on. Besides a few things like adopting families over the holidays, both Thom and I are mostly focused on helping animals at a no-kill facility. It definitely helped fill the loss of our on beloved pet Kloe early in 2021 and I KNOW it is helping the facility. Just being with all the animals is good for me. There are a few other things I think would be interesting...I like your idea at the local library...but we have fairly heavy travel plans for the coming year. (COVID willing!) so don't want to over commit. But I'm convinced that making volunteerism a part of our lives helps to keep us more healthy, sane and live longer. Thanks for all the ideas. ~Kathy
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure Betty and I would both enjoy time at a pet shelter. One of our daughters is active in a kitten/cat rescue organization. She has done some foster-sitting several times and enjoyed it immensely. I wouldn't want to go that far, but playing with and exercising the dogs or cats would work for us.
DeleteAs Elle's story emphasizes, and your comments support, a volunteer commitment must be a win-win for both sides. Volunteering strictly out of a sense of obligation is not wise.
I’m in. SmLl town, so there’s not much opportunity and Covid has put a halt to many things. I did volunteer at our local hospital at the front entrance for several years and enjoyed it, I don’t feel comfortable in a hospital right now with Covid.
ReplyDeleteI love animals, but I’m afraid I’d take them all home.
I’ve heard about Death Doulas, but that appears to only be in big cities. I hope to find something if Covid ever dies down.
I'd agree...now would be a risky time to volunteer at the entrance to a hospital.
DeleteI hear you about the animals. We would have to be very disciplined to not bring home a cute puppy from a shelter.
As a volunteer I am on the advisory board and also teach a class at our local Retirement Learning Center. I was volunteering as a literacy tutor but that got off-track with Covid. Somehow the Retirement group works on Zoom and the tutoring does not ... at least for me. Looking forward to re-establishing that connection after the pandemic settles down.
ReplyDeleteI enjoying teaching a basic economy class to 5th graders with Junior Achievement, but I like the idea of teaching something at a senior center. The idea of some give and take with the attendees makes that an attractive option.
DeleteAt one point I considered ESL tutoring, but watching another class made it obvious I should be fluent in Spanish for the class to be of any real value to the students.
Pandemic restrictions have curtailed volunteer commitments, i.e. community organization, Home Routes house concerts. And the thought crosses my mind - will I return to these activities when things open up again? Neighbors whom I'm very close to had a baby 6 mos ago. You know the saying - it takes a village to raise a child. I like to think I'm part of the village so when they're busy doing their farm/ranch work, I can mind their baby. Win-Win. I drove tractor for them for 2 days so he could complete some fencing. It's ad hoc volunteering but so necessary. I'm also on-call for pet & house sitting for another neighbor. It's all an investment in community. Merry Christmas to you & Betty, Bob.
ReplyDeleteI like the "village" concept. Most of us live rather isolated lives, even with occasional volunteering. To be part of a community, to share chores and offer help like you mention, is something many of us miss. I envy you, Mona.
DeleteAnd, right back to you: a very Marry Christmas and Joyous New Year to you and your loved ones.
Morris from Canada - soon after I retired as a school principal in 1998 I took group fitness training at the local YMCA - I've been a group fitness leader since gaining my qualifications nearly 20 years ago - at first taught aerobics and step aerobics, now teach seniors fitness class every week - the pandemic has limited the number and nature of classes but continue with fewer numbers - looking forward to post pandemic when we can all be back to normal - I found this volunteer experience to be very fullfilling and it fits my beliefs and life goals of healthy living
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. I know at my gym the senior classes are usually taught by men and women who appear to be in their 30's or 40's. I would think someone who is a contemporary of those in the class would have an easier time of motivating the students.
DeleteYou have found the perfect win-win, Morris: helping others while you stay in excellent physical shape. Good for you.
I was just sticking my toe into a few volunteer opportunities (Meals on Wheels, a local food pantry) when Covid hit. I look forward to continuing them when we feel safer to mingle. Currently I am writing articles for our local Town Council's newsletter. I enjoy doing research, interviewing, then writing the articles, all on my timeline.
ReplyDeleteA fellow writer applauds your efforts for the Town Council...not glamorous but necessary.
DeleteWe are not far away from 2 years of Covid's start. How many of us have had all sorts of plans and intentions sidetracked, and every time we think the end is in sight, it isn't?
Volunteering seems best when you truly care about the outcomes the organization produces. I tutor a high-schooler, fundraise for a historic property, and sit on the board of an arts organization. I've volunteered for groups whose missions meant little to me, and burned out within two years. Like you, I began to resent the demands on my time and talents.
ReplyDeletePicking an opportunity to serve requires thought and knowing yourself. You are absolutely on target that spending time volunteering for something has to resonate with you for it to last.
DeleteI'm not retired yet but am starting to get ready and would like to fine meaningful volunteering experiences. For now with Covid restrictions I am doing sewing of bags for foster kids https://sewingprojectaz.wixsite.com/sewingprojecttohelpf
ReplyDeleteAnd knitting scarves for charity. My company encourages volunteering with matching funds to the organizations based on our hours so that is an added bonus. Hope to volunteer with people soon...
I like the projects you are tackling now. They use your obvious skills to directly help others, while waiting for Covid to loosen its grip.
DeleteThanks for sharing some good ideas.
I may be the outlier for this reply. I did a lot of volunteering during my work years. I was a Camp Fire leader for over 20 years (at times with two groups). I was a church school teacher at one point for 4th grade. I did volunteer work with our local school district (which I worked for as well).
ReplyDeleteI really thought I would volunteer in a school or animal rescue.
However, by the time I did retire the idea of going back into a classroom after 31 years was not very appealing (I did LOVE it while I was there). I was bitten by a dog and do not want to be around strange dogs (some PTSD) any more. So, that was no longer appealing.
I am still working some part time (teaching college classes online) and find my time is full now and I have not really looked at volunteering since I retired almost 12 years ago (where did the time go?).
Not an outlier at all, Linda. Each of us decides how to productively use our time, and those decisions are as unique as we are.
DeleteJust like saying I worked for 35 years and I am done with that part of my life the same thinking could apply to volunteering. After so many years, we find it is no longer satisfying or meaningful, so we move on.
I think you may have given me an idea for an interesting post!