Volunteering is a rewarding way to contribute to your community, learn new skills, and make a positive impact. But how do you recognize your volunteering accomplishments and showcase them to others? Here are some tips to help you document, reflect, and celebrate your volunteer work.
One of the first steps to recognize your volunteering accomplishments is to keep a record of what you do, when you do it, and how you do it. You can use a simple spreadsheet, a journal, an app, or any other tool that works for you. The important thing is to track the hours you spend, the tasks you complete, the skills you use or develop, the feedback you receive, and the outcomes you achieve. This will help you measure your progress, identify your strengths, and demonstrate your value.
As much as keeping notes and journals are also important, having pictures and videos will make your network know what you are doing. It will also help one encourage others to take action,hence I'd always recommend having pictures,videos and make posts on social media as a form of documentation
I recognize my volunteers in the corporate programme by documenting and measuring impact. I do this by; 1. Developing an annual volunteers calendar where I am able to plan for already existing programme and scheduling volunteers 2. Provide documentation templates to ensure measuring of impact is uniform . 3. By establishing a volunteering model to guide how volunteerism feeds into the bigger strategy and framework 4. Undertaking annual volunteers’ commitment analysis to establish who is committed and who is slaking. Therefore, I prepare recognition letters and certificates
Have a resume journal. This is your resume not tailored to anything, but basically a record of all your experiences, skills and knowledge. Be sure to include your volunteer experiences and key accomplishments in this journal. Also be sure to highlight the key competencies ad skills applied and attained in the experiences as you take the notes. This will help ensure you do not lose track of what you have done, and can easily speak to the competencies you have applied and gained while on the job. Also, #linkedin is a good place to keep record of your volunteer experiences and accomplishments. It heightens the validity when it is 'out there'
- record all projects by taking photos; send out thank-you letters to all sponsors along with highlights of the event; - have a folder for each event where all documentations is saved;
Another way to recognize your volunteering accomplishments is to reflect on your experience and how it has affected you. You can use questions like: What did you enjoy most about your volunteer work? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? What did you learn from your volunteer work? How did your volunteer work align with your values, goals, or interests? How did your volunteer work benefit the organization or the cause you supported? How did your volunteer work make you feel? You can write down your answers, share them with a friend, or discuss them with your supervisor or mentor.
One other thing that has also help me is the use of my Personal Volunteering Development plan,where I go back to see why i started and to ensure I am still on track,this also help me check if my goals are still relevant to me
A third way to recognize your volunteering accomplishments is to celebrate your achievements and share them with others. You can do this by: Thanking yourself and acknowledging your efforts. You deserve to feel proud of what you have done and how you have grown. Thanking the people who supported you, such as your supervisor, co-workers, or family. They appreciate your work and your gratitude. Sharing your stories and insights with your network, such as your friends, colleagues, or potential employers. They can learn from your experience and see your skills and passion. Seeking recognition or awards from the organization or the community you served. They can validate your impact and give you more visibility.
A fourth way to recognize your volunteering accomplishments is to update your resume and showcase your skills and experience. You can do this by: Adding a section on your resume dedicated to your volunteer work. Include the name of the organization, the dates of your involvement, and a brief description of your role and responsibilities. Highlighting the skills and achievements that are relevant to the job or field you are interested in. Use action verbs, numbers, and outcomes to show what you did and how you did it. Providing references or testimonials from your supervisor, co-workers, or clients who can vouch for your work and character. They can give more details and examples of your performance and potential.
A fifth way to recognize your volunteering accomplishments is to continue learning and improving your skills and knowledge. You can do this by: Seeking feedback from your supervisor, co-workers, or clients on how you can improve your work or take on more challenges. They can offer you constructive criticism and suggestions for growth. Taking advantage of training or mentoring opportunities offered by the organization or the community you serve. They can help you develop new skills or deepen your understanding of the issues or the solutions. Exploring other volunteer opportunities that interest you or match your goals. They can help you expand your network, diversify your experience, or discover new passions.
A sixth way to recognize your volunteering accomplishments is to inspire others to get involved and make a difference. You can do this by: Sharing your motivation and vision for volunteering with others. Why do you volunteer? What do you hope to achieve? How do you balance your time and energy? Encouraging others to find a volunteer opportunity that suits their skills, interests, or values. How can they find a cause or an organization that they care about? What are the benefits and challenges of volunteering? Supporting others who are new to volunteering or who need guidance or assistance. How can you mentor, coach, or collaborate with them? What tips or resources can you offer them?
I remember sharing with a colleague all my volunteer work. She later shared with me on how this inspired her to start volunteering through the office's committees committed to community services. She later started involving her children in community projects. You never know how far your volunteering can impact others. And there is so much reward and fulfilment in giving back. Be sure to find a cause dedicated to something of interest to you and start from there. #keepgiving
Let's start by defining what constitutes success in your volunteer efforts. In my view, it's all about the impact, and you have the flexibility to either quantify or describe your achievements as you see fit. For instance, your success could be gauged by the amount of funds you raised or the number of households you provided with essential food supplies.
The most important aspect to consider when getting involved in volunteering is: IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU! If you are helping others only to help yourself, this line of action will surely backfire on you, eventually. Selfishness slowly, but surely, breeds a mentality of solitude. Solitude, even if just mental solitude, is the antithesis of altruism, and altruism is the main ingredient necessary for good volunteering experience.