Do's and Don'ts of Volunteering

Oftentimes, when people volunteer their time to good causes or undergo community service, they believe that it in itself is a good thing. However, there are many ways that volunteering can actually be a negative experience for the people and environment at hand. That is why, for any aspiring volunteer, understanding how to properly enter, engage and exit with a new community is very important. On that note, here are some Do’s and Don'ts of volunteering.

DO 

• Remember that volunteering is not about you - Though it makes everyone feel good when they take the time out of their day to help others, keep in mind that you are not the hero of the story. Your sole purpose is to contribute to the project and maintain that as your focus.

• Work hard with the community, not for them - Entering a community with the perception that you are there to ‘save them’ may reflect a condescending attitude. You will be stepping into a community that has been built over time and has their own unique history. As such, going in with the mindset that you are there to strengthen the efforts of those already there will create a much more collaborative and productive environment.

• Make sure the work being done is community-centered - Making sure the work you are doing will actually benefit the community is integral; this means, above all, their needs should be first. For instance, if hosting a drive for a community organization, reaching out in advance to see what they are in need for is a good idea. Small steps like that will ensure that actual value is created for those who need it.

DON’T

• Assume you are the expert at the project - Echoing previous sentiments, when entering a new community, don’t assume that you know better than those already there. No one knows more about the needs of the community than the people part of it and so following their lead is always advisable. 

• Do something because you thought it would be good - Always make sure to take action after consulting the local experts, i.e. the project leaders and the community itself. Once again, something that may seem like a good idea to you may actually prove to have negative consequences so vetting ideas or actions you would like to implement with those who have a more thorough understanding of its implications is a good idea.

• Force yourself to volunteer under a feeling of obligation - Making sure you are dedicating your time to something that matters to you is integral. If you are only doing something because you feel like you ‘should,’ it will affect the quality of your work and drain you in the process. Volunteering is always an incredible thing but make sure you are doing it because you want to.

Written by Palak Srivastava (Education Team 2023-2024)