Volunteering. Building a world that works better for everyone.

Volunteering is perhaps the most effective way to change the world and transform the lives of others. It is also a simple way to transform one's own life.?

Before we continue, if you want to read this article in?Spanish , you can visit my personal blog.

Last month, a group of volunteers, motivated only by their own spirit and desire to build a better world, completed non-work-related but social volunteering activities. They chose, planned, and successfully executed all the volunteering without any senior management direction. A group of unique human beings made a difference to others with no reward but satisfaction.?

Erika Mu?oz Larsson Paola Porras Yuli Andrea Barragan Leal Gustavo Hernández Marinellys Figueroa Sandra Pachón Diego Fernando Hastamorir Vergara Yeimmy Lee Daniel Beltrán Penagos Sofia de la Colina ?- and all the others that contributed to our last official?K+C PayItFWD?before becoming part of?Valtech ?- you deserve more credit than a simple post. Thank you for inspiring me, taking care of every details and letting me being part of this. You are the reason I decided to write about volunteering.

Why volunteer?

Why invest your time and effort in something for which you do not receive financial compensation? If you could imagine for a second that your financial situation is resolved for life, what would you do with your time?

The best way to express it is through the concept of?ikigai. ?Although this term has no translation, it refers to?the reason for living. Someone might say that the best scenario in the world is to do what you love and get paid for it. However, something happens in your mind when you do things, and you do them very well, even without receiving financial compensation.

Volunteering implies that you are committed to a higher value, to an idea?bigger?than you.?

I have been a teacher for more than twenty years. Thankfully, I get paid for it. But unexpectedly, along the way, I committed to many volunteering activities related to sharing knowledge and supporting others' access to career development opportunities.

I have proudly volunteered my time and resources to various organizations, including communities, schools, universities, and professional associations. My coordination skills have enabled me to successfully organize events, deliver impactful conferences, and support various social projects. This is what I have to offer. Others can save lives doing surgeries, and I sometimes lead, coordinate, and manage for free.

Volunteers, not employees

Volunteers give their time and effort to a cause. Sometimes, this means collaborating with others to amplify the impact of that effort. However, volunteering does not, nor should it, be a means of competing with others. The volunteer is not there for a promotion or a prize. Volunteers are there because of their commitment to a higher purpose.

If my passion is to share knowledge, help teams achieve things, and build a better world, I volunteer to create spaces to promote education and teamwork. I love it, and sometimes I do it for free.

On the other hand, an employee doesn't just expect to be paid for it. Frequently, employees compare their efforts with their colleagues. They expect proper compensation based on their own benchmarks. An employee compares and competes. There is nothing wrong with this in the work and professional field, where standing out from the group is essential for those looking for growth. Volunteering is a different game.

What is volunteering?

The expression of your values

Volunteering is a space to express your values and what defines you. You might be able to do it at work, but sometimes, you want or need to go further. Finding a non-profit organization with a similar purpose to yours is no challenge.?

Why volunteer if volunteering does not offer a space to express yourself honestly?

Inspiring, but not easy

Volunteering fills you with energy. If you are deeply connected to its purpose, it can make you forget about everything else. But just because it's inspiring doesn't mean everything is rosy and you're always smiling. On the contrary, sometimes you will find situations that will make you think:?if they don't pay me for it, why am I doing it?

People tend to romanticize volunteering. They believe it is like going?on a trip?to a paradise island to build shelter houses for homeless families.?Maybe you are going to an island to build shelter houses, but volunteering logistics are far from ideal.

However, all sacrifices are forgotten if you are connected to the purpose. Otherwise, it's like a defect you try to ignore over time, but you will hate it sooner or later.

An energy consumer

A mentor once told me, " If?you offer 2 hours a month, 2 hours will be well received. If you offer 24 hours a day, 24 hours will also be well received. It is your responsibility to self-control how much time you invest in it". FYI - Luis Fasano ?is now a friend of mine and sometimes a partner.

Balancing your life efforts is a crucial part of maturing and growing. Some refer to it as?learning to say no. It is just being aware that, even if you are passionate about something, it is not the only thing that requires your time and attention.?

During different stages of my life,?I have found that?the amount of time I spend on various activities changes.?You should constantly check how you balance personal, work, and volunteer. My personal advice:?family and personal time are always first.

A space for growth

Volunteering does not have to be altruistic. It can also be a way to incorporate or strengthen other skills. Back in time, I was president of a non-profit organization. Accepting that challenge helped me understand how some things work in a company with a Board of Directors. It forced me to think about motivating others without the power of financial compensation. I spent two years leading and building a community as a volunteer, but I got a lot out of it.

It is not mandatory but optional. However, if you are looking for something for yourself without hurting others, affecting the nature of the organization, or its purpose, why not?

Advice for those new to volunteering

If you are thinking about starting volunteering, I have some simple tips.

1. Approach established associations or chapters of international organizations. Being a volunteer is wonderful. However, leading an organization is not a simple thing. Do not try to do both. Starting with the certainty that a lot of the friction related to coordination or the logistics are solved or owned will make your start smooter.
2. Be truthful and authentic.?Volunteering should connect you with?the things you love,?and your values, your essence.?Even if you expect something in return, like experience or social recognition, you should volunteer for something that represents what you are, dream of, or stand for.
3. Prepare for awareness. Being a volunteer means that you will interact with other volunteers and, in many cases, vulnerable people from around the world. In work environments, you can always disconnect your inner-personal self and interact through your tasks, inputs, and outcomes. Volunteering will bring your most intimate self to the surface. You must be open to empathizing, respecting, understanding, sharing, and learning.
4. Be ready to motivate and inspire. Volunteers do not follow orders but may receive instructions from a facilitator or coordinator. There is no other attachment than purpose, so learn to lead, inspire, and motivate people to work as a team without the power of financial compensation.

Things to avoid

1. Compete with others. Everyone offers what they have to share, and you must learn how to get the best of them.
2. Limit yourself to one role or task.?Offer all your skills where and when they are needed. Help is always welcome.
3. Command.?Always prefer leading and supporting to directing or commanding.
4. Underestimate effort.?Be conscious of your own limitations. Avoid unnecessary costs or burnout. The passion and energy of volunteering can be confusing. And I mean it. After returning from a volunteer event, I quit my job without considering all the variables. Ultimately, it worked for me and my family, but I paid the price by taking unnecessary risks. Ginangela Mejia, PMP, did you remember?

Benefits of volunteering

If you are a happy volunteer there are many benefits . Here my favourite ones:

1. Reduce stress. Volunteering?connects you on a deeper level to the things you do.?You only sometimes have this opportunity at work, and the volunteer environment connects you with people who share your interests. Nobody is there "because it's their job" or "because they need the salary."
2. Fight depression. Volunteering keeps your mind busy and focused, keeps away harmful thoughts, and helps you feel valued and important. If you are connected to a purpose, it is much simpler to understand the impact of what you do on others and the world.
3. Increase confidence. Believe it or not, achieving things when no one is watching and you are not afraid of "losing your job" helps you better understand your capabilities and the value of your work. This boosts confidence.
4. Improves satisfaction?. Helping others for the sole purpose of contributing, without expecting much in return, increases satisfaction. Seeing the impact of your actions on others and their well-being will make you feel fulfilled.
5. Expand your social circle.?Volunteering can connect you with people from all over the planet – without going overboard. Sometimes you don't even expect it. Today, someone can volunteer with you; tomorrow, that person can be your friend, partner, or co-worker.

Don't stop volunteering

Volunteering is an expression of who you are. Not a job. You can pause it or slow it down, but do not ever stop.?

I have always tried to be a volunteer, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, sometimes with pauses. Life is variable, and sometimes I have the energy and time available; sometimes I don't. It is essential not to give up; returning is straightforward if you are connected to volunteering more personally through your values and purpose.

If you've read this far, thank you. Please feel free to leave a comment, a question, or share your experience.