MODULE 1 However one does not become a volunteer by

simply raising his or her hand. A volunteer has to

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM undergo trainings and attend seminars for specific
functions or tasks that he or she volunteer for.
Introduction:
This chapter takes up community volunteerism-its Marjorie Moore (2004), in her article “The
meaning and benefits, values expected of volunteers, and Beacon,” describes a volunteer as follows:
volunteer opportunities. Volunteerism helps hasten and
strengthen community development as it promotes active A volunteer is a person who is a light to
participation of individuals in different programs and others, giving witness in a mixed-up age, doing well
projects that respond to the needs of community. and willingly the tasks at hand, namely, being aware
of another’s need and doing something about it.
Objectives:
At the end of this course, the students are expected to: A volunteer is a person who strives to make
1. Give the meaning and benefits of community other people happy, who takes the loneliness out of
volunteerism. the alone by taking to them, who is concerned when
2. Name the core values expected of volunteers. others are unconcerned, who has the courage to be a
3. Explore volunteer opportunities that one may blessing and to say the things that have to be said for
engage in. the good of all.

Motivation: “A volunteer is a person whose charity is

 Concept Mapping and Word Association. fidelity, who is faithful in an unfaithful world,
Building on the prior knowledge of the grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all are
students, write the word VOLUNTEERISM at grasping, listening when others need to tell about
the center of the blackboard. Randomly ask their fears and problems.”
students to come to the board to write a
word/phrase that they usually associate with Volunteers are people from walks of life, all
VOLUNTEERISM. Encourage as many as ages, and stages, having a common desire to make a
possible responses. Cluster together common difference in their community and their own life by
concepts and ideas. Based from ideas giving of their time and expertise. For young people
brainstormed on the board, challenge students volunteering brings a new sense of confidence, self-
to come up with a definition of gratification, and a good way to interact in the
VOLUNTEERISM. Write two to three “grown-up world.” It enables them to develop
definitions on the board. (To get optimal communication, career-building, and social skills that
success, encourage students to keep all will be useful in other facets of their lives.
handouts and just draw their ideas from prior
knowledge) Benefits of Volunteerism

VOLUNTEERISM Volunteerism yields the following benefits:

1. Community development
Volunteerism is the act, practice, or principle 2. Skills development of volunteers
of contributing one’s time, talents, and resources 3. Peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens
freely for worthwhile purposes without tangible 4. Career opportunities for volunteers
compensation. It is considered the most fundamental 5. Friendship among citizens
act in the society. It is geared toward good causes that 6. Experience and self-esteem gained by
helps alleviate the sufferings of others. It promotes volunteers
peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens.
Values Expected of Volunteers
Volunteerism can serve in various areas
ranging from medical, environmental, and Here are some core values expected to volunteers:
educational mission support to child protection, 1. Commitment. Volunteers are attached to,
human rights, election, peacekeeping, and relief identified with, and involved in community
operations to name a few. service.
2. Professionalism. Volunteers observe work
Some people consider volunteerism a hobby, ethics in performing their responsibilities with
others see it as a vocation. Some volunteers have socially and morally accepted behavior.
high-paying jobs and stable careers, other are well 3. Creativity. Volunteers search constantly for
known in their fields. Volunteers could be teachers, new strategies and methods of doing a task for
doctors, lawyers, or celebrity. They could also be improved results.
housewives, students, or retirees. 4. Unity. A volunteer supports teamwork to
achieve the common goal.
Regardless of age, economic statues, sex, and
educational attainment, volunteer work together VOLUNTEER OPPURTUNITIES
toward a common cause for which they commit their The 2001 National Survey of Giving,
time, know-how and expertise and sometimes even Volunteering, and Participating shares the following
their own money. questionnaire, the answer to which help determine
what kind of volunteer opportunities will be suited to B. Based on the Future Career Goal of an
the individual volunteer: Individual
1. If you have all the human and financial 1. If you like to work in the medical field,
resources in the world, what problem would you can volunteer at a community health
you solve, what would you change, what center or a government hospital or clinic.
would you crate? Your answers will tell you 2. If you are interested in teaching, you can
what matters the most to you. volunteer at a public school.
2. What kind of time commitment are you 3. If you are interested in science, you can
willing to make? Are you looking for a volunteer at the local science museum or
regular/weekly volunteer commitment or a zoo.
short-term/one-time opportunity? 4. If you like to work in an office someday,
3. Would you like to volunteer with other people you can volunteer at a nonprofit
or by yourself? organization.
4. Would you like to volunteer from your own
home or would you prefer to volunteer in an COMMUNITY SERVICE
organization?
5. If you would like to volunteer away from Community service is identified by the higher
home, where is the best location for you-near educational institution (HEI) in consultation with the
your home, your work, your child’s care local government, community based-based
center? organizations, and non-governmental organization as
6. Do you have specific skills or talents that you designed to improve the quality of life for community
would like to share with an organization? residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to
7. Would you like to develop a specific skill? solve particular problems related to their needs.
8. What are your personal goals? Would you Community service includes the following:
like to re-enter the workforce or meet new 1. First aid training or health care, preschool
people? storytelling, social welfare, social services,
trauma counseling, group dynamics, crime
Potential volunteer opportunities are as follows: prevention and recreation, street cleaning, and
A. Based on the Interest of an Individual community improvement.
1. If you like animals, you can help out at an 2. Serving in the youth corps as defined in the
animal shelter or the nearest zoo. NSTP Act of 2001
2. If you like working with kids, you can get 3. Assisting students with disabilities
involved at a daycare or preschool center 4. Tutoring, supporting educational and
or help younger students with their recreational activities, and counseling,
schoolwork. including career counseling.
3. If you enjoy playing sports, you can play Volunteer community service can be rendered in
games with the kids at a nearby sports government offices, private companies or in any
complex or organize a mini-sport fest. place where service may be needed. Volunteers can
4. If you like to cook, you can get together also work from their homes
with friends and teach moms or
housekeepers new recipes, the latest about
food preparation and preservation, and
entrepreneurship opportunities in cooking. Summary
5. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you can teach Community volunteerism entails identifying
how to make curtains or bedspreads, resources, building existing strengths, empowering
embroider pillowcases and towels, and partners or individuals to reach their potential,
make unique fashion accessories at a facilitating new connections within the community
women’s shelter, nursing home, or and strengthening such connections; and fostering
orphanage. relationships that enhance the ability of groups and
6. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can help individuals to have a sense of belonging and a desire
organize a cleanup drive in your street or to be involved.
park or help a neighbor plat flowers.
7. If you enjoy dancing, singing, and acting,
you can participate in your community’s
cultural show group.
8. If your grandparents have passed away or
live far away and you do not get to see
them as often you want to, you can make
friends with a senior citizen and adopt him
or her as your grandma and grandpa.
9. If you are interested in the culture of
foreigner, you can volunteer at a school
that accepts foreign students.
10. If you have burden for people with
disabilities, you can volunteer at an
agency or institution for people with
physical or mental disabilities.