VOLUNTEERISM

▪ Volunteerism is the act, practice, or principle

of contributing one’s time, talents, and
resources freely to worthwhile purposes without
tangible compensation.

▪ Volunteerism can serve in various areas

ranging from medical, environmental, and
educational support groups to child
protection and human rights advocacies,
poll or election work, peacekeeping
missions, and relief operations, to name a
few.
▪ Some people consider volunteerism a pastime;
other see it as a vocation. Some volunteers have
high-paying jobs and stable careers; others are
well known in their fields. Volunteers could be
teachers, doctors, lawyers, or celebrities.
They could also be housewives, students, or
retirees.

▪ One does not become a volunteer by simply

raising his/her hand. A volunteer has to undergo
trainings and attend seminars for specific
functions or task that he/she volunteers for.
Moore (2002) describes a volunteer as follows:
“A volunteer is a person who is a light to others,
giving witness in a mixed up age, doing well and willingly the
tasks at hand, namely, being aware of another’s need and
doing something about it.

“A volunteer is a person who strives to make other

people happy, who takes the loneliness out of the alone by
talking to them, who is concerned when others are
unconcerned, who has the courage to be a blessing and to
say the things that have to be said for the good of all.

“A volunteer is a person whose charity is fidelity, who

is faithful in an unfaithful world, grateful in an ungrateful
world, giving when all are grasping, listening when others
need to tell about their fears and problems.”
 Volunteers are people from all walks
of life, all ages and stages, having a
common desire to make a difference in
their community and their own life by
giving of their time and expertise. For
young people, volunteering brings a new
sense of confidence and self-gratification.
It is a good way to interact in the “grown-
up world.” It enables them to develop
communication, career-building, and social
skills that will be useful in other facets of
their lives.
Benefits of Volunteers

▪ Community development

▪ Development of the skills of volunteers

▪ Peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens

▪ Career opportunities for volunteers

▪ Friendship among citizens

▪ Experience and self-esteem gained by

volunteers
Values Expected for Volunteers

▪ Commitment

▪ Professionalism

▪ Creativity

▪ Unity
Volunteer Opportunities

The 2001 National Survey of

Giving, Volunteering, and Participating
shares the following questionnaire, the
answers to which help determine what
kind of volunteer opportunities will be
suited to the individual volunteer:
1. If you have all the human and financial
resources in the world, what problem would
you solve, what would you change, and what
would you create?

2. What kind of time commitment are you willing

to make? Are you looking for a regular/weekly
volunteer commitment or a short-term/one-
time opportunity?

3. Would you like to volunteer with other people

or by yourself?

4. Would you like to volunteer from your own

home or would you prefer to volunteer in an
organization?
5. If you would like to volunteer away from
home, where is the best location for you
near your home, your work, your child’s
care center?

6. Do you have specific skills or talents that

you would like to share with an
organization?

7. Would you like to develop a specific skill?

8. What are your personal goals? Would you

like to re-enter the workforce or meet new
people?
Potential volunteer opportunities
are as follows:

▪ Based on the interests of an

individual
▪ Based on the future career
goal of an individual
Community service
 It is identified by the higher
educational institution (HEI) in
consultation with the local government,
community-based organizations, and
non-governmental organizations as
designed to improve the quality of life
of community residents, particularly
low-income individuals, or to solve
particular problems related to their
needs.
Community service includes
the following:

1. First aid training or health care, preschool

storytelling, social welfare, social services,
trauma counseling, group dynamics, crime
prevention, recreation, street cleaning, and
community improvement.

2. Serving in the youth corps as defined in the

NSTP Act of 2001.
3. Assisting students with disabilities.

4. Tutoring, supporting educational and recreational

activities, and counseling, including career
counseling.