5 minute read
Volunteer Culture: Finding Your Fit
Volunteering offers numerous benefits, including personal satisfaction, skill development, networking opportunities, and enhanced mental and physical well-being. It allows individuals to make a positive and meaningful impact in their communities, strengthen social connections, and foster a sense of belonging. Ultimately, it's a rewarding experience that enriches both the volunteers and the community that it serves.
One of our dedicated volunteers, Joe Wasser, Senior Account Manager at State and Federal Communications, was recently featured on a podcast, Lobby Comply Pod. This is a monthly podcast hosted by Joe May, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at the company. State and Federal Communications is headquartered in Akron, Ohio, maintains an office in Washington, D.C. and covers lobbying compliance, ethics, campaign finance, and election news from across the country. Their company culture fosters a network of significant influence, actively showcasing the meaningful impact of volunteering through its core values and mission.
“I'm very excited about the charitable service hours I’ve been doing while working for State and Federal Communications since I've been on board. It’s part of the culture around here to volunteer and help others. I discovered a part of myself by doing volunteer work that I didn't know I had in me. I am in my 60s and I've never volunteered for anything except as the bingo caller at my children's elementary school, which my wife technically volunteered for me to do.
I work remotely from my home in Maryland and periodically at the D.C. office. Human Resources advised me to Google my county's name for volunteer opportunities. I live in Worcester County, Maryland, which is Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. I searched ‘volunteer opportunities’ and came up with 400 results, 397 of which were fundraising.
I raise money for a living, asking people to invest in our fine services and products, so I wasn't looking to do the same for volunteer work. However, one entry stood out: 'Hospice volunteer, simply companionship.' My mom sadly passed away in hospice care, and that was my only personal exposure. I decided to reach out to the Coastal Hospice Volunteer Services office, which serves Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. They informed me that at any given time, they'll have approximately 260 patients and the volunteer network is pretty large. I explained that it's in my nature to try to amuse people and to be funny, so I asked, ‘Is there a fit for somebody with my personality?’ She said, believe it or not, there is, and it’s important to learn when to be funny and when to listen.
Online training is required and counts toward your charitable service hours. The online and in-person training was fascinating and discussed different scenarios that patients go through in hospice and experiences that volunteers go through. Since I've been volunteering at Coastal Hospice, I discovered a part of me that I didn't know existed. After completing online training and before visiting patients and families on my own, I shadowed experienced volunteers, which helped me feel more comfortable when providing companionship. But when I did it alone for the first time—well, what do they say? Step out of your comfort zone. I had no one to back me up or step in if I needed help that first time. I quickly realized the importance of understanding the audience. Since I was a stranger to these individuals, I had to approach each interaction with sensitivity. I’d introduce myself, 'I’m Joe, a hospice volunteer. I’m here to say hello and see if you’d like to talk.' Some would invite me to pull a chair up, while others weren’t interested. You have to gauge your audience.
It was an active summer of volunteering, and in June 2024, I was assigned my first patient. Each visit varied—some lasted just 45 minutes when he had little energy, while others stretched to three hours. Throughout five or six meetings, we built a meaningful bond, sharing both good moments and difficult ones.
Throughout our time together, I kept in touch with his wife, updating her after each visit since she was often at work. She appreciated the updates, and our conversations became a collaborative effort between her, me, and Coastal Hospice Volunteer Services. Sadly, he passed away in late July. It was a privilege to be part of his journey, offering companionship and support.
Though it was initially uncomfortable, it didn’t take long to find my groove and figure out what needed to be done when visiting patients. The experience has been incredibly rewarding—I’ve heard some truly amazing life stories. I never expected to gain such deep insight into the rich histories of the people I’ve met.
I don’t think I would have volunteered in this capacity without the culture of State and Federal Communications. When I was hired a couple of years ago, human resources emphasized, "We do a lot for others." That mindset stuck with me. The culture of volunteering within this program helped me discover this part of myself, and without their support and structure, I might never have taken this path.
If you're interested in volunteering, my advice is—why not give it a try? The worst that can happen is you realize it's not the right fit, and that's okay. I chose Coastal Hospice because it felt like a natural fit—I talk for a living, so listening and conversing come easily to me. But if that's not your strength, Coastal Hospice offers many other ways to get involved. There's something for everyone.”
