Quiapon, Aureen Mae A.

Socio 101
2019-05465 December 07, 2022

“Voluntary Work”

Photo by:

Aureen Quiapon
Taken in University of the Philippines
Baguio - IB Lobby last February 21, 2020

Ever since I entered college, I have always been one with many mass organizations in
terms of supporting and amplifying calls that have societal relevence. While I join these
organizations and their mobilizations for that very reason, one thing that keeps me participating
in their initiatives is seeing the passion and spirit of volunteerism the other members have. Even
in simple creations of proporaganda materials—or as we call it, proptek work—it is fascinating
to see how so many people are inspired to volunteer and create for the masses. As said by
Stebbins (2009), being motivated to do volunteer work is a crucial condition not just for the
volunteers themselves but especially for those seeking their services. In most of these proptek
meetings that I have attended and volunteered in, many of us do not even know how to use a
paint brush properly but, that never stopped us from doing these tasks. In organizations that
allow you to serve the community, it is amazing to see how volunteering is able to keep you in
regular contact with other people which in turn also helps you develop a solid support system,
even beyond your membership or work. More than continuing the militant struggle and
campaigns led by the national democratic mass organizations that I am part of, the various
opportunities for volunteering that they provide for students like me help me foster a better
relationship with the Filipino community. While it is upsetting to see how only a few people join
these organizations, it is still inspiring to know that there are those who go out of their way to do
work that they do not necessarily directly benefit from.
 “Quality Circles”

Photo by:
Aureen Quiapon
Taken via Zoom last
September 03, 2022

As the saying “life is all about balance” goes, it is important for us to find that healthy
mix of fun and learning, even as busy and stressed college students. While being a student, in of
itself, is a challenge, one way that I choose to balance the stress is by joining organizations that I
am interested in. Back in 2020, when I applied for my home organization, UP Speech
Communication Organization (UP SPECA), I was honestly only after the relationships I could
build. Little did I know that two years later, I would be the organization’s chairperson. This has
led be to be part of its Executive Committee or a quality circle—a team of individuals who
perform the same or similar tasks and routinely get together to discuss, evaluate, and resolve
issues relating to their jobs and team (Kosven, 2020). This opportunity has given me so many
avenues to grow not just as a student leader but as a person, in general. As members of a quality
circle like this one, we are able to make use of the skills and abilities of each person, promote
teamwork and cooperation inside the organization, and even inspire problem-solving from a
variety of angles.
The life lessons I have learned thus far, being their chairperson for the last five months or
so, are irreplaceable. While being in a quality circle of such nature is not the easiest task
especially for a graduating student like me, I would not trade the experience for anything. Being
part of it has allowed me to work on my leadership and problem solving skills that I see as vital
lessons that I would need even after my stay in UP Diliman.
 References

Kosven, E. (2020, September 29). Quality Circles: Overview, Advantages, and Disadvantages.
ISSSP for Lean Six Sigma. https://isssp.org/quality-circles-overview-advantages-and-
disadvantages/
Stebbins, R. A. (2009). Would You Volunteer? Society, 46(2), 155–159.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-008-9186-1