The value of volunteering
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 4, 9 June 2023, page no.32
I was recently told that volunteering is equivalent to philanthropy. But what is a volunteer? The Collins Dictionary says a volunteer is a person who voluntarily offers themself for a service or undertaking or a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.
Volunteering creates opportunities to provide support for others, while at the same time meeting new people, gaining skills, or using past experiences.
There are many personal benefits to volunteering. We notice a subtle shift in ourselves when we volunteer. We feel more connected to others, and we become less absorbed in the normal stresses of daily life. We share our experiences with others and want to help more. Volunteering also improves our life and even our health.
Research says that close to 45 per cent of people in the US and the UK admit to feeling lonely. Loneliness and social isolation are two of the most severe epidemics in the world today. What is the simplest way to reverse this? Volunteer!
The most comprehensive research on philanthropy in Australia found that Australians and businesses are giving and volunteering more than ever before. Results from the national survey of voluntary work by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that 5.2 million people (34 per cent) of the Australian population aged 18 years and over, participated in voluntary work. Seniors spent more time doing voluntary work than younger adults. Among those aged 65–84, the median was 2.0 hours a week.
With the volatility of employment in Australia in recent times, the need for volunteers and volunteering is increasingly important to the progress of the nation.
Teachers have long relied on the work of volunteers in their classrooms. Sometimes we called them parent helpers or “reading grannies”, but no matter the title their contribution to the education of children is very valuable.
Many organisations exist because of the time and experience given by their members. This is true of the Queensland Retired Teachers’ Association. Sadly, as with retirement from paid jobs, there comes a time when volunteers also retire. Some members of the Executive find themselves in this position. Unless new volunteers are willing to step up and donate a little time, the association will not be able to function. We are calling for members to join the working party of this organisation. If you are willing, please do not hesitate to contact the committee.
We had an interesting trip recently to hear all about the changes occurring in the Brisbane CBD. Those who attended thought the experience was great. Our June activity is a visit to the Queensland Herbarium to learn more about the environment, plants, and fungi in our ecosystem. If you can join us, please let Donella Lister know. The Newsletter will give more details.
The QRTA will have representatives at the QTU Conference to share our information with those about to retire. Please come and speak to these volunteers.