In Praise of Dedicated VolunteersOctober 05, 2015

Volunteering requires someone who can coordinate, plan, support, and train other volunteers. Are you the one?

International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day, which is held on November 5, salutes those who have the passion to volunteer. Those who are doing it for a living are on a different level. One must be selfless. One must leave the ego out of the door. One must be patient and tolerant. Politics can be a part of the picture. Are you still in it?

Let's not talk about participation. Forget about aspiring to be a volunteer. Think closely about the four traits that separate the dedicated volunteers from the rest. Don't feign you have no idea about it. You learned about it somewhere. Think about it:

Coordination. We surely know this word. To organise a gathering with your mates can be no easy feat. And someone may back out on the last minute. University will be another thing, though. Not all students can say they master this skill until the final term. (It's fine if you're one of them.) And does the word have something to do with work-life balance? You can bet your can of beer. If harmony seems to be a hard thing to do, then think how volunteers manage it. This will give you a renewed perspective on the enormity of their tasks. Sometimes, it's better not to take it seriously. Don't take it for granted, then. It's not too late learn (and relearn).

Plan. You've been planning your holiday for a year or so. You're scrimping for that full-moon party, but we know the most careful planning doesn't ensure success. Volunteering involves lots of planning sessions. And expect it to be far from perfect. It doesn't matter, as the effort is what counts the most. Maybe this will make you more tolerant of shortcomings in the airport. (No more flight delays, please.)

Support. It won't be volunteering without assistance. It's not a difficult thing to do, but the degree (of help) is another matter. Better to give than to receive? We know it clearly. (You'll be grateful to your mates who aid you in your assignments. If not for them, then you might miss a party or two.) Volunteering is about someone else, which can test you. If you're serious about doing it, then consider it carefully. You might end up bleeding, pun intended. Better talk about it with someone who has done it.

Training. Any profession requires teaching on a specified period of time. This is the only way to achieve the desired result. You must know after a few years in the university. Nothing to be apprehensive if you want to volunteer, but don't ignore this aspect (of the job). Management is a skill that everyone must learn at some point.

Did we miss anything? Please let us know.

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