The Financial Value of Volunteering

An Essay On

The Financial Value of Volunteering

                Volunteering has a financial value similar to education.  The return on volunteering can be almost instantaneous or delayed depending on the circumstances not only of the event but as a direct result of the actions taken by the volunteer.

                Mother Teresa , recently canonized as a Saint, is quoted as saying, “To show great love for God and our neighbor we need not do great things.  It is how much love we put in the doing that makes our offering something beautiful for God.”

                As with most things in life, if viewed from a point of Faith, when we do things for God or for others the ideal is that we expect nothing in return.  This essay is not denigrating that basic tenet of volunteerism.  This essay is intended to augment those statements by pointing out the practical value of volunteering.   These practical values are often overlooked or attacked by others who decline, for various reasons, to volunteer, or, in other words, to participate.

                To refuse the opportunity to volunteer is often touted as an expression of freedom and an actual right.  It is sometimes spurred by the idea that by volunteering we, as individuals, may be impinging on the freedom of another person by assisting them in some direct or indirect way.  This illogic is not so bad if we consider the action of a few people who decide these things for themselves but when these mistaken and illogical ideas are shared by those who do not understand the implications it becomes a very serious matter.

                In fact some people would best be served by volunteering considering what is returned to them through intangibles like good feelings, emotions and blessings.  The great loss in our society is assumed by everyone, however, when an opportunity to participate through volunteering is passed up by someone who has been taught there is nothing in it for them.

                The financial value to the organization that a volunteer works for is obvious.  After all, if the volunteer did not do the work the organization would have to pay for it, if they could.  The problem with idea that the charity organization could or should pay for these services is deluding because if it were as simple as all that the funds that a charity collects would be enough to solve the problem they are seeking to correct.  The issues surrounding errant charities are not being considered here because normally a good volunteer would uncover any problems with an association either before working with them or shortly after starting.  The issues we are engaged with here have to do with those surrounding the financial values associated with individual volunteering efforts.  That is, you don’t get paid, but there is often a return.

In fact, there can be quite a lot in it for them as well as anyone who benefits from their effort.  It is rather like investing in companies or some business.  That act is an act of participation.   It places the capital in action and can produce positive results as well as providing a return that, because of the risk taken, is higher than leaving the money in a bank.

                To take a view of how serious some people take this issue let us look at something that Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.’  Eleanor Roosevelt.

                The financial value associated with volunteering is, more often than not, obscured by the ideals of sacrifice, selflessness and all the positive aspects of human behavior towards which we aspire.  This may be important to teach some the error of their ways or encourage them to do better and cooperate with others but these ideals are sometimes laid on so heavily that it obscures the simple and loving work being done and can hide the personal benefits that a person may collect as a participant and volunteer.

                A simple admonition for volunteers is : ‘Always eat the donuts.’.  The basis for this admonition is that the charity or organization should, in some way, express their gratitude towards the volunteer.  Sometimes donuts or some other food will be provided.  Maybe some small bracelet or t-shirt or some other benefit.  If the volunteer attempts to go above and beyond the agreement between the volunteer and the organization they are working for and refuse this gesture of goodwill two things may happen.  The organization may feel that it is due the free labor and intellectual assistance it is receiving and secondly and most importantly the organization may cease to supply the donuts.  This may seem humorous but there is an agreement of quid pro quo expected by a savvy volunteer and the organization they are working for.  At the very least a hearty thanks will fulfill this part of the bargain.  Woe to the organization that does not thank those who labor for it – whether it is a commercial operation or a charitable organization.

                If a person volunteers for an event, perhaps answering telephones, and encounters a new kind of technology associated with a new type of phone, and that person learns that new technology one can perceive that the volunteer has received something of value that they had not sought.  In an example like this it is not too fetched to imagine that this individual, who has acquired this new skill and experience, can now bring it to their place business.  It is altogether possible, especially if the individual is aware of it and exploits it, that they may gain some advantage at their place of business.  If we extend this advantage of knowledge and experience over time we can see the very real financial value, not only to the volunteer, but to everyone they come in contact with, that their first selfless act has generated.

                It is extraordinary.

Altruism does not remove the personal financial value but causes some to ‘leave the money on the table’.  They may not recognize the value they just acquired or were provided because they were not seeking it and anything gained during the course of their giving is somehow not marked with the dollar sign it deserves.  This is the way it should be for many but for many others this lack of identification with the benefits accrued from this sort of work causes them to miss real opportunities at training and experience they may be denied through their whole life long.  In that case the lack of volunteering carries with it a negative financial value, that is, a loss, but we are not concerned with that aspect of the transaction here.

As Aesop wrote, ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’

Even the calm recitation of the intangible benefits of volunteering may cause an adversarial response from some.  It can be even more marked when the idea that a financial value may be associated with these selfless actions.  Claims that ‘this doesn’t happen to everyone’ and even ‘don’t expect that sort of experience’, incredibly, have been made in response to the concept that something of value could be extracted from selfless actions.

It is altogether possible that by acknowledging the financial value of volunteering that the number of participants may increase.  There is no guarantee for that.  There are few studies associated with the rise and fall of the number of participants volunteering over time.  There are many studies, including independent, university, State, Federal and international that clearly indicate that the value of volunteering often equals or outweighs the benefits that the action of volunteering brings about.

These benefits may include, but are not limited to, experience, contacts, new interests and, of course, the benefits provided to the receiving parties.  In a simple example the returns to a volunteer from clearing out a park of trash would be that the park is now in a state more accommodating to the use of the volunteer.  In the case of a technology worker they may work on a new type of system which would then allow them to advance in their career.  The benefits are varied.

At this time volunteerism, the act of volunteering, appears to be in decline.

Reasons are varied and generally unknown. 

The simple acknowledgement of the financial value, may raise the social standing of volunteerism.

Volunteering is not a one way street.  The idea that volunteerism as an act of ‘giving back’ can be confusing to some.  It can infer that someone has taken too much.  It also negates the benefits that can be realized through the act of volunteering.

The cost of volunteering is not greater than the return in all instances.  That is, in not all cases will the benefits of volunteering only be realized by those who are receiving the perceived benefit.

In conclusion it must be stated, that especially during trying economic times, that volunteering can be a potential base for building income through the augmentation of skills, gaining actual experience as well as the social and physical benefits that can be realized.

Volunteering is a base for building relationships.  It is a framework for real world learning.  It is in these human aspects that the true value of volunteering is found.  The financial aspect remains secondary but should not be forgotten.