Beyond Money and Into Meaning
We’ve lost more than 2 million jobs in the past three months. Companies are not only shutting down budgets but even shutting down themselves. So instead of jumping right back into the job market, why not take some time to think more about your life?
In many ways, it’s actually a wonderful position to be in: To reassess what you value, what you care most about in life and how you can best contribute. Begin by asking yourself questions: ”What do I really love to do? What would I feel good about doing? What would make me jump out of bed in the morning?”
Make yourself think out of the box — beyond the “Money Box” — and into the “Meaning Box.” This is a box you deserve to be in!
One of the pathways to help you get there is to volunteer in the nonprofit community. Start lliving your life with intention. Remember, this is not just about getting another job. This is about respecting yourself and holding in high esteem your valuable skills and talents. Volunteering can help you learn more about yourself, feel good about contributing, and lead to more meaningful work in the future.
As you feel better and more confident and ‘more in love’ with what you do everyday, it cascades into other areas of your life. You positively benefit your significant other by speaking positively about your meaningful work. You are a role model and positive example for your kids, nieces and nephews. You can inspire others who feel trapped – to take a step into something that is inspiring. You are here for a reason, and now is the time to start living that purpose.
Below are the pros for volunteers and for NGOs. Enjoy your unique journey!
Positives for New Volunteers
1- Keep Your Morale. Losing a job is tough; looking for a job is tough. Serving and helping is a soothing balm to someone reeling from an unexpected and quick job cut. Volunteering helps you feel part of a team, and that you are an important contributing member.
2- Be A Part of Something Greater. Often new volunteers find that the “product” — serving homeless people, helping microentrepreneurs, tutoring young mothers on their GEDs, is so meaningful that it’s hard to return to the corporate world. They feel a part of something greater, because it so definitively clear how they are helping. We all want to feel we are caring for and helping others, and part of a movement larger than ourselves.
3- Keep Your Skills Current. Use your current skills and ‘exercise’ them just as you would any muscle. Are you an attorney, administrative assistant, construction worker, public relations expert, manager? Put those needed skills to use, and expand them as you continue your work. Since you are not under the guise of a strict corporate manager, you will have more freedom to expand them in creative ways.
4- Attain New Skills and a Second Career. Once you have invested some time at the organization, ask to work in different areas or work on different business units. Express your desire to grow and adopt news skills. Try different areas in order to understand how the entire organization works. Learn for yourself, and learn to become valuable to the organization. You will reenter the workforce with more confidence and experience. You may also start a new career!
5- Work on a Hobby. Do you love writing on the side? Perhaps you offer to write or contribute to their newsletter. Are you a hidden tech geek? Revamp their website. Is blogging your passion? Help them set up a blog and create a stronger brand presence. Explode a latent desire of your own to help others!
6- Gain New Employment. Volunteers can often be hired. It’s a great entryway to show that you care and demonstrate your skills. Take your time. Do you respect the management? Do you believe in the vision? Are you passionate about your specific role? Continue to demonstrate your value and positions may open up, either for part-time or full-time work. Be open and flexible. Maybe this is your chance to freelance!
Positives for the Nonprofit
1- Positive Morale. Every organization needs new people with energy and positive attitudes joining the team. Having new team members excited to give and be a part of your mission boosts morale and keeps the positive energy flowing.
2- New Resources. New volunteers have skills, ideas, energy that can be put to work as an essential part of your team. Discern where you have gaps in management, specific skillsets needed, support functions. Areas include fundraising, sending donor letters, website updates, newsletter writing, counseling, tutoring, building homes, customer relationship management, database updating, executive support… the list goes on! Post for volunteer positions accordingly and specifically. Create a position of value that allows these newly inspired volunteers to invest their talent and hard work ethic to help achieve your goals.
Please notice I say New but not Free. Volunteers require management, because people can and should be guided to do their best on behalf of the organization. At the same time, ensure you are serving not only your organization’s needs, but also the desire for growth within the individual volunteer. Meet your goals and their goals.
3 -New Team Member. It’s often a natural process that a volunteer becomes ‘embedded’ in the team, and room can be made for him or her. A new job can be opened or existing one filled. The position can be an internship; paid internship; consulting role; part-time employment; full-time employment. For the nonprofit, it’s great to have worked with the individual prior to making any official commitment. It’s much clearer how successful the new hire and fit will be.
The world of volunteering can and will open up a new world for you. For both parties, make sure that it’s a good fit. A volunteer job description should provide clear expectations. Everyone should appreciate the skillset of the volunteer; the culture of the organization; and, critically important, simply working together. In many ways, this is like any other job — needing an inspiring vision, good management and clear goals.
Welcome to the world of volunteering. Start giving of yourself.
Begin thinking out of the Money Box and into the Meaning Box!
Be inspired,
Pamela