123. New Research on the Benefits of Volunteering with Samantha Barlow
Aug 15, 2024
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Samantha Barlow, a key figure in Human Appeal's volunteer program, shares groundbreaking research on the benefits of volunteering. She discusses the emotional satisfaction and professional growth that volunteers experience. The conversation highlights the changing dynamics of community volunteering, emphasizing the need for flexibility in volunteer initiatives. Samantha also explores innovative strategies, like leveraging AI for event planning, and the positive impact of volunteers during challenging times, offering insights into motivating and appreciating their efforts.
Volunteering enhances personal fulfillment and emotional satisfaction while significantly addressing urgent humanitarian needs within communities.
Recent research illustrates varying motivations behind volunteering, with American volunteers focusing on community service, contrasting with career-oriented UK volunteers.
Deep dives
The Importance of Volunteering
Volunteering significantly impacts both volunteers and the communities they serve. It fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment among individuals, encouraging them to contribute positively to local and global issues. For instance, volunteers at Human Appeal engage in diverse activities, from immediate disaster response to capacity-building efforts, such as helping women in Pakistan start sewing businesses after natural disasters. This multifaceted approach ensures that volunteers experience not only personal growth but also play a critical role in addressing urgent humanitarian needs.
Research on Volunteering Trends
Recent research highlights key insights into the motivations behind volunteering, particularly in light of economic challenges. Volunteers in the USA tend to prioritize community-focused activities, contrasting with UK volunteers who may have career advancement motivations. The study revealed that over 60 million Americans volunteered in their local neighborhoods post-pandemic. Such insights are crucial for organizations like Human Appeal to understand volunteer behaviors and adapt their programs accordingly.
The Role of Volunteers in Organizations
Volunteers are essential to the operational success of charities, functioning as the backbone of organizations like Human Appeal. Their involvement spans various tasks, including fundraising, event organization, and direct community engagement, actively reducing operational costs. For instance, the organization relies heavily on volunteers to manage major fundraising events, ensuring a strong presence and support in their mission. By leveraging volunteer efforts, organizations can thrive and extend their reach without incurring substantial expenses.
Benefits Beyond Service
Volunteering offers numerous benefits that extend beyond immediate service delivery, enriching the volunteers' experiences themselves. Participants report heightened self-esteem, improved mental well-being, and a sense of connection to their communities. Organizations recognize the importance of these benefits and often implement strategies to enhance volunteers' experiences, such as providing professional development opportunities and recognition programs. For example, Human Appeal has initiated an awards system to acknowledge volunteers' contributions, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community among participants.
In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Samantha Barlow onto the show to talk about new research on the benefits of volunteering. They delve into the benefits for both volunteers and communities, the evolving role of volunteers, and the success of Human Appeal's volunteer program.
Key talking points include community volunteering, emotional satisfaction, professional development, and the innovative use of technology. Samantha also shares insights from Human Appeal's recent study and their strategies for volunteer appreciation and engagement!
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.
For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.
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