Civic Life Today // Volunteer #4 // Points of Light

APRIL 2021

Volunteer

CIVIC LIFE TODAY | ISSUE #4

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Table of Contents Civic Life Today

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What Is Volunteering?

4

Taking a Deeper Dive

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The Power of One Finding the Right Opportunity

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Diversity Gap in Volunteering

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Interview with Liam Elkind

10,11

Points of Light Global Network

12,13

Volunteerism, Redefined

14,15

Skills-Based Volunteering

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Did You Know?

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A Global Connection Through Volunteering

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What Does That Mean?

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Learning Library

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Youth and Family Corner Continue the Conversation Personal Action Plan

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6,7

20 21 22,23

Appendix

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Civic Circle

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Civic Life Today At Points of Light, we believe that the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual — one who makes a positive difference.

The value of individual actions, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life.

Together, our collective actions are a force that transforms the world.

We live in extraordinary times. The 21st century has already seen sweeping change led by the power of people. The advancement of technology accelerates our experiences. Yet, the challenges facing our world are great and complex: • Inequality rooted in systemic racism is front and center, and the demand for social justice is strong.

• A global pandemic exposed a variety of system weaknesses triggering public health and economic crises.

• Climate change remains the highest concern of Generation Z. • Global conflict, instability, poverty, and lack of opportunity has created the largest migration crisis in human history.

• New and old systems are being built, dismantled and rebuilt in real time, often creating instability.

We are witnessing a significant shift in our civic culture, a revolution against apathy, marked by events and movements that have altered the way we connect with and engage in our communities and our world. But what does this connection and engagement look like?

When we think about civic life today, we know that people want to live an integrated life that reflects their values. People who “do good” or want to “create change” don’t necessarily assign themselves traditional labels like “volunteer” anymore.

Today’s engaged person may express their desire to do good through the purchases they make, in what they share on social media, where and how they choose to work and what nonprofit organization to support as a donor, or of course, a volunteer. Doing good comes in many forms.

We believe we are at the dawn of a new era that we are calling the Civic Century, an age when people become the driving force that transforms our world. When future generations look back on this time, they will see an era of sustained, meaningful civic engagement, fueled by a global community of people ready and willing to do good.

For the past 30 years, Points of Light has held volunteerism center to all that we do. In the United States alone, more than 1.6 million nonprofits utilize more than 77 million volunteers annually to deliver on their missions.1 Volunteers are part of an invisible economy and their value is priceless. And while Points of Light’s Civic Circle expands our view of civic engagement, we know dedicated volunteers will always play a critical role in addressing community needs and creating resilient communities around the world.

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

What Is Volunteering and Why Does it Matter?

When a child needs tutoring, a beach shoreline is littered with garbage or a community is faced with a food shortage – what do these crises tend to all have in common? Volunteers answering the call to help, neighbors helping neighbors and strangers helping strangers; they are those who raise their hands to support people and communities when help is needed the most.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.

A soul generated by love.”

Volunteering represents an individual’s ability to choose to lend their time and talent to a cause they care about in order to advance the cause or help solve a societal issue without concern for personal gain (monetary or otherwise). It’s about sharing time and can even be as impactful as donating money.

But what does it really mean to volunteer? As the world continues to change, there’s evolution in how people show up. For example, in the wake of

the COVID-19 global pandemic, volunteering went virtual and people found new ways to tackle pressing issues. However, the differences in volunteering are also evident in how the opportunities themselves arise.

In a more traditional sense, volunteering is often done through a nonprofit organization. Most nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to achieve their goals and deliver on their missions.

Without volunteers, these nonprofits are not able to do the greatest level of good for the communities they work with. Volunteers also help these organizations save critical financial resources so that they are maximized to the fullest and drive greater awareness of the assets and challenges of the community.

But volunteering is so much more than this traditional lens of supporting the community through an organization. Much of the volunteering that takes place each day is through more informal acts that when done, may not even be labeled as “volunteering” – delivering groceries to a sick neighbor, mowing the lawn of an elderly friend or organizing a donation drive for someone who lost their home in a fire. To underscore this point, recent civic engagement research from Points of Light reveals that while 43% of

The Privilege in Volunteering While sharing one's time is a universal value shared by most, there are barriers to volunteering that can make participation more difficult for some. Whether the opportunity to volunteer comes from more formal or informal channels, the ability to “show up” is often required. For those with inflexible work schedules or multiple jobs, or those who have limited access to transportation or technology, volunteering can often feel out of reach.

Convo Photo

Likewise, groups that have often been marginalized and disenfranchised – those who may be the historical “beneficiaries” of volunteerism – may not feel more formal volunteering through an organization is accessible because they have not been invited to participate. For volunteerism to be truly inclusive, we must look beyond volunteerism as something done “for” a community, and rather “with” a community.

But more than the act of volunteering itself is the “external value” placed on volunteerism when done in the formal, traditional sense. When volunteering is required for a scholarship or encouraged on a resume/CV, it’s the opportunities through a nonprofit organization that are often expected. The time spent helping a neighbor each week or cooking meals at a place of worship for the congregation tend to be overlooked. These acts are no less valuable, but they aren’t counted in the same way.

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT 24

Americans prefer to volunteer with nonprofit organizations, 28% prefer to volunteer with friends or neighbors, without an organization.2 There’s a sense of purpose that comes from sharing your time with others. Likewise, volunteers can gain more self-confidence or even develop professional skills. In fact, studies have shown that volunteering is linked to better physical, mental and emotional health. One such study revealed that 75% of U.S. adults feel physically healthier by volunteering and 79% experience lower stress levels.3 The Points of Light research shows that volunteerism is the civic action most poised for increased participation. In fact, three out of five Americans are very or pretty interested in volunteering for an issue or cause important to them.4 No matter what shape or form volunteerism takes, supporting people and communities through volunteerism will continue to be a driving force of civic engagement.

Most importantly, there’s a place for everyone in volunteering.

Taking a Deeper Dive When it comes to volunteering, the opportunities that exist are as varied as the causes themselves.

In fact, even when you identify a specific cause that you want to support, the ways in which nonprofit organizations or more grassroots mobilizers engage volunteers can be diverse. For example, to address food insecurity, volunteers might be needed to stock shelves at a food pantry, deliver meals to homebound seniors or prepare meals for community-based refrigerators accessible to the unhoused.

This edition of Civic Life Today explores examples of the ways in which people volunteer and what we might all consider before volunteering in order to make the most impact and avoid causing harm.

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

"One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."

– John F. Kennedy

The Power of “One” Can one person really make a difference? This is a question asked by generations of people who have wondered how sharing their time can truly make an impact. Perhaps it’s a question you’ve even asked yourself. Research from Points of Light shows that 43% of Americans consider the uncertainty of their ability to make an impact to be a moderate or significant barrier to volunteering.5 So what can one person do? History is marked with examples of individuals recognizing a need and taking action: During the American Civil War, Clara Barton braved danger to deliver supplies and support soldiers on the battlefield. Her deep commitment to volunteer service and supporting those in times of disaster ultimately led to her establishing the American Red Cross.6 At the onset of World War II, English stockbroker Sir Nicholas Winton visited a friend who was working with the British Committee for Refugees.

After seeing the conditions of those fleeing Germany, Winton went on to help rescue 669 children from the Holocaust.7 An avid pilot, TJ Kim decided to put his passion

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into action during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

He launched Operation SOS, or Supplies Over Skies, to deliver personal protection equipment (PPE) to rural hospitals in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the first six months of this initiative, he delivered nearly 60,000 units of PPE.8 These are extraordinary examples. But getting off the sidelines to do good doesn’t mean you have to save hundreds of children during a genocide. Small acts can go a long way in supporting individuals and communities – like having a video call with an isolated senior in a nursing home, walking dogs at an animal shelter or picking up trash in a local park. These actions may not seem “extraordinary,” but they can be transformational to the person or community sharing in the experience.

Families, communities, places of worship, companies and other organizations often talk about creating a “culture of service.” But having a culture of service isn’t driven by institutions. It’s driven by people young and old, rich and poor, from all walks of life who make a decision to do something. There’s power in each individual. And when you then share your story and invite others along, a ripple effect occurs. So don’t let the worry of what you might accomplish hold you back.

Instead, just get started.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunity So you’re interested in volunteering but want to find an opportunity that feels like the right fit. Whether formal or informal, large or small, organizations can help channel your time and skills toward real community needs and amplify your contributions by combining them with others’ efforts.

Although it’s easier than ever to find volunteer opportunities thanks to online volunteer search engines, finding the right organization can be daunting. To find an organization whose volunteer experiences fit the needs of the community but also your availability, skills and work style, consider these questions when reviewing an organization’s website, reading the volunteer opportunity descriptions, talking to other volunteers from the organization and even interviewing for the role.

To work independently, ask:

TIME COMMITMENT

Can this work be done independently?

If you want…

How often would I be expected to check in, to participate in meetings, to report back?

A regular and predictable schedule, ask:

What support is available if I have a question?

What ongoing volunteer opportunities or service projects are available?

Do the volunteer opportunities have regular schedules?

Flexibility in your volunteering, ask: Can volunteers vary their schedules?

Can I self-schedule?

Is there a minimum commitment of hours, shifts, or projects?

To build relationships with staff or volunteer leaders, ask: With whom would I be working?

How often would I be communicating with staff and other volunteers?

Where do I go if I have a question or an idea?

LEADERSHIP

How often are volunteer opportunities available?

If you want…

SKILLS

To be a leader now, ask: Can I use my leadership experience to lead a team or a project?

If you want…

To become a leader in the future, ask:

To use your current skills, ask:

What is the path to become a leader over time?

What skills will I be able to use in this role?

How have other volunteers with professional skills been engaged?

Do you provide any training for leadership development?

IMPACT

To learn new skills, ask: What type of formal training is offered and required?

How much informal or on-the-job training is provided?

Is continuing education training available?

If you want…

To make a difference, ask: How does the organization develop its solutions?

Does it involve the community?

Engage multiple voices in decision-making?

WORK STYLE If you want…

How does the organization currently tell the story of volunteer impact?

To build relationships with community members, ask:

How does the organization leverage and share data?

Will I have direct contact with members of the community?

Are there opportunities to work on a team with other volunteers?

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This checklist was developed in partnership with VQ Volunteer Strategies, a leading provider of high-impact volunteer engagement solutions designed to help organizations raise their VQ – or volunteer quotient. Volunteer Quotient is an organization’s ability to leverage volunteer talent to increase its impact

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

What “Diversity Gap” in Volunteering?

By Pj Bergstrom, content director, Seattle Works A Points of Light Global Network Affiliate My mother always found personal ways to support community and demonstrated that creating networks of care is essential to survival.

When we uplift those around us, we are strengthening our community and investing in improved livelihoods. These relationships, rooted in mutual care, exist without expectation of a return and are outside the bounds of a more formal, institutionalized system for volunteering.

These structures of care are common among communities of color, low-income and working-class families, queer communities and others, yet often left out of the greater volunteerism narrative. When the nonprofit sector asserts a “diversity gap” in volunteer demographics, it ignores the myriad of ways that specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have and continue to create and sustain networks of care. While there is certainly a large diversity gap in nonprofit leadership, there is no shortage of “volunteers” and mutual aid in communities of color. We must consider who we center when we discuss volunteerism and be inclusive of all forms of community care. By neglecting these informal structures, the concept of volunteerism can be catered towards the “white savior complex” and perpetuates a transactional, unauthentic approach to community care.

In more formal and supervised volunteer opportunities, many white-constructed norms of donating time and resources are present, which significantly hinder the involvement of BIPOC identifying volunteers and may negatively impact

the communities receiving support. As volunteers, it is important to be aware of how these norms may cause harm and contribute to spaces feeling unwelcome and unsafe for non-white people.

In addition, many opportunities are on strict timelines that favor those with access to more resources (i.e., finding childcare, time off work, transportation, etc.) and do not encompass ongoing investment in the wellbeing of the community at hand. Volunteerism as a whole has shifted to be singular, transactional instances that have great potential to incur more harm than help.

To prevent this, intentional, systemic unlearning and change is required to create a more inclusive and community-centered approach. That change begins with you! To combat the permeation of white supremacy and colonial mentality in volunteerism, we must start with the individual.

Effective and long-lasting community building calls for more than good intent – it asks us to challenge our understanding of the systems we actively participate in, especially those rooted in whiteness, patriarchy, heteronormativity, and classism. As we work to shift the world, we first look internally at ourselves and acknowledge how we perpetuate these harmful ideologies and systems. As we each change our lens and behavior, we influence those around us and slowly help shift the nonprofit sector to reflect the true foundations of mutual aid. This journey of self-reflection is lifelong and requires intention and dedication that slowly brings us closer to the essence of community care: to connect with others in a way that is meaningful and uplifts one another.

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

How a Global Pandemic Inspired a Volunteer Movement:

An Interview with

Liam Elkind

Liam Elkind is an undergraduate student at Yale who took a year-long leave of absence to serve as a volunteer CEO for his nonprofit, Invisible Hands, which has recruited thousands of volunteers to deliver food, medicine and other essentials to those most in-need and at-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

His work has been featured by Men's Health, Good Morning America, the Associated Press, the New Yorker, and the New York Times, among others. Liam and his co-founders have earned the 2020 Webby Award for Special Achievement, the Points of Light Daily Point of Light Award and the Manhattan Institute's Civil Society Award; and was recognized among 2020's top philanthropists by Town & Country Magazine, alongside Dr. Anthony Fauci and Oprah Winfrey.

Q. At the onset of the pandemic, many people were inspired to act. However, you took taking action to another level by launching Invisible Hands. What in your own personal journey prepared and motivated you to start this initiative?

A. Growing up, I was always taught that it was my responsibility tikkun olam – to repair the world.

I’m mindful that a significant reason I’m able to lead an organization like this is because my family, my teachers and my community invested in me and taught me the value of volunteering.

As I returned to New York at the start of the pandemic and watched my city begin to struggle, it felt inadequate to sit idly at home watching Netflix. With nothing but a desire to help and an abundance of time on my frequently-washed hands, I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution — but how? That’s when I saw a Facebook post from a friend, asking if anyone knew of an organization for which she could volunteer to deliver essentials to those asking for support. No one did.

Together, we built a website and began recruiting volunteers and within 72 hours we had over 1,300 volunteers signed up. Far beyond anything I could accomplish by myself, tapping into the power of grassroots organizing allowed us to pull together and support our community.

Q. There were many potential ways to address the issue of food access during the pandemic.

Why did you decide to leverage the power of volunteers as your solution?

A. I believe in the power of community organizing.

Invisible Hands isn’t about Liam Elkind rolling in on his white horse, but rather about a connective tissue that allows members of a community to show solidarity with one another and lift each other up. Only by leveraging the power of volunteers could we cultivate a sense of purpose and community in a lockdown. Rather than socially distancing, we adopted a philosophy of “physically distancing while socially engaging,” promoting that sense of service and solidarity, that notion that we are only able to accomplish great things when we hitch our wagons to something bigger than ourselves — by pulling together to pull through.

Q. Have there been any unexpected outcomes or surprises since launching Invisible Hands?

A. Three things have surprised me since launching

Invisible Hands. First, I was surprised simply by how many people signed up to volunteer with us.

A doctor reached out to me and said, “I work 19-hour shifts. I treat patients with COVID-19. But I always wear PPE, and I want to help in my free time. Can I volunteer?” I was struck by this doctor, an unsung hero, who works so many hours, putting his own life at risk to save lives. And who, after that seemingly endless shift finally ends, asks, “What else can I do?” I don’t know what motivates someone to that level of selflessness but I do know that there are millions of people out there like that doctor, ready to help their community at a moment’s notice.

Second, I was surprised by how unprepared we were as a society to reckon with this virus and the ensuing economic and food crises. City services became so overwhelmed that they were referring people to our days-old nonprofit. Well-established homeless shelters, facing huge increases in demand, were asking if we could sponsor their entire food budgets. Food insecurity in the city doubled. And the racial and economic inequities unveiled and exacerbated by this disease continue. It will be on all of us to forge a better normal.

Finally, I’ve been surprised by the new friendships I’ve formed. With employees, with volunteers, with people I delivered to — somehow, despite this unprecedented isolation, I’ve been able to connect much more easily with members in my community. To learn their stories, to hear their pain. It’s a gift I will take with me throughout the rest of my life in community and public service.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to share their time and talents to support a cause they care about but don’t think every small act matters?

Every small act of kindness does matter. A few weeks ago I received an email from a woman in Michigan. Her 83-year-old father, Harry, lived alone in Manhattan and had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Isolated, he had no way of getting food. His daughter heard about us on Good Morning America and submitted a request on our website. Our volunteer, Duncan, started delivering food and medicine to Harry once a week. Then they’d sit on either side of Harry’s door and chat.

They never once saw each other; neither would have recognized the other if they passed on the street. But they became friends.

His daughter said, “My father was lonely and afraid. But you made it possible for him to live as normal a life as possible. Although my father has passed from COVID-19, please know that your help was not in vain and that he spoke so highly of you and the help, reassurance and relief that you provided.”

That spirit of service, embodied in a mere conversation between two, is within all of us. It’s our responsibility to pull together — because it’s only by pulling together that we will pull through.

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

“In India, volunteering means ‘seva’ or service and is deeply embedded in our culture. Volunteering in its modern form is being adopted by the youth and professionals and the community organizations that engage them, to solve some of the nation’s most difficult challenges.”

iVolunteer (India)

“In the Philippines, volunteering means ‘Bayanihan,’ or community spirit. It is working together for the common good.”

Hands On Manila (Phillippines)

“In France, volunteering means togetherness. Taking action with one another and for one another, beyond differences, for a better common present and future.”

Benenova (France)

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“In Ireland, volunteering means community. It means lending a hand, getting stuck in, being part of something, helping those in need – belonging to a community.”

Volunteer Ireland

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

“In the United States, volunteering means taking action, and being part of the community. It's about paying it forward, being kind and being involved in making this a better place for everyone.”

Volunteer Center of Story County (USA)

Volunteerism Around the World The Points of Light Global Network

“In Mexico, volunteering means recognizing the power we all have to create change in our communities and doing it.”

HandsOn México

“In Brazil, volunteering means transformation.

It’s a tool to inspire and bring communities together for the same objectives.”

Atados (Brazil)

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Volunteerism, Redefined

By Jenné Myers, chief executive officer, Chicago Cares A Points of Light Global Network Affiliate “Who does this benefit and who does this harm?”

At Chicago Cares, a 30-year-old nonprofit organization where I’m proud to serve as CEO, we strive to build a more vibrant and equitable Chicago through service. In order to get there, we must start by grounding our own volunteer efforts in the equity we seek to achieve. So whether we’re beautifying a neighborhood’s green space or we’re distributing groceries to neighbors who need our support, the Chicago Cares team asks ourselves this question often.

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Photo Credit: Markus Giolas

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

It’s true that our city – and our country – needs volunteerism more than ever. But we also need a different kind of volunteerism. The COVID-19 pandemic, activism for racial justice and economic downturn have all laid bare long-term inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color in this country and this is especially true in Chicago. A 2019 New York University analysis shows Chicago residents in predominantly white neighborhoods on the north side of the city live 30 years longer on average than residents of largely Black neighborhoods just nine miles to the south.

With regard to the pandemic, 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in Chicago were Black residents, even though they make up 30% of the population. The unfortunate truth is that done-in-a-day service without education and context-building – leading to systemic change – won’t fix that.

Which is why I propose we flip the script and redefine the term volunteerism: a shift away from the mere act of giving to, to the mutual experience of sharing with.

Let’s view volunteering not as a transactional act of charity but as a mutual experience between neighbors – something that can go a long way toward building equity in a community with a long history of racism, segregation and disinvestment.

To this end, we at Chicago Cares challenge ourselves to aim for our Gold Standards of Service: mutual, community-driven, strategic, sustainable and transformative volunteerism.

Here’s what this work can look like for volunteers like you and me.

1. Mutual and Community-Driven Volunteers can begin by following the lead of those on the ground – listening, learning and building transformational relationships as we go.

We should ask how we can contribute and only show up when invited.

For example, Chicago Cares volunteers collaborate with partners in Englewood on Chicago’s south side for an innovative Service Plus initiative. In this instance, volunteers follow the lead of Englewood-based agencies and arts organizations through a series of community-led meetings. With community members leading the way, volunteers are installing a mosaic mural that highlights key images and themes central to Englewood’s story.

Because Chicago Cares has invested in building deep relationships and lasting commitments in neighborhoods like Englewood, our volunteers are well-positioned to work with local leaders and anchor organizations on co-designed projects that contribute to the community’s goals and priorities.

Much like this project, volunteers can and should follow the lead of community members to ensure

community voice is always at the center of our work. We need to lead with empathy and follow the expertise of our partners. Only then can our volunteerism begin to build equity.

2. Strategic and Sustainable Just as importantly, let’s use service as an opportunity to educate one another about the assets, challenges and opportunities in the communities we partner with. By asking how we are investing in community assets and solutions – and how we are uplifting the unique skills and knowledge of community members – volunteers can build a truly sustainable partnership.

In addition to the mosaic mural in Englewood, Chicago Cares is developing virtual spaces for Englewood’s leaders to share their expertise and stories of neighborhood resilience and recovery.

Our volunteers listen to how COVID-19, activism for racial justice and the recession have all impacted Englewood – and how they can join neighborhood-based organizations to advocate for systemic change. To ensure we’re contributing to a sustainable partnership after the program ends, volunteers also have the option to strategically re-engage in Englewood’s long-term recovery by participating in hands-on volunteer projects like food distribution programs, text banking on community issues and more as community leaders identify priorities.

For volunteers, learning from our neighbors firsthand and finding ways to stay engaged for the long-term is critical. It will spark your civic leadership potential and empower you to learn how to be an active part of change efforts beyond one day’s service.

3. Transformative Building connections with neighbors, deepening our understanding of neighborhood goals and challenges and following community leadership are just the first steps to a redefined vision of volunteerism. Over time, volunteers who engage in this practice will become active participants in your community’s civic fabric, advocating for greater equity and justice.

I’m proud that Chicago Cares has put our new definition of volunteering into practice.

Volunteering in a meaningful, respectful and impactful way – where experiences are shared, real connections are formed and equity begins to be developed – takes work. And asking “Who does this benefit and who does this harm?” to center voices most impacted is an important part of the journey to service. But wherever you find yourself on this journey, there is no better time to get involved than right now. Ready to get started?

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CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Skills-Based Volunteering: Putting Passion into Action

By Danielle Holly, chief executive officer, Common Impact You have superpowers.

Wherever you are, whatever your day job or background or level of education or country of origin or identity or pronouns and even if you don’t have a shiny cape, you have superpowers that your community needs. Your skills – both those honed in work settings and those you might think of as gifts or hobbies – can help nonprofit organizations grow, thrive and create transformational change.

Skills-based volunteering has been around for decades but for years was largely thought of only in the context of pro bono legal services. More recently, companies of all sizes have embraced the opportunity to mobilize employees – arguably their most valuable asset – in skills-based projects that create social impact and talent development wins. But leveraging your unique skills to support a nonprofit or create a community win isn’t just for companies; we all have opportunities to do just that on a daily basis.

Most nonprofit organizations spend less than 10% of their budget on infrastructure resources like HR, technology, marketing, strategy, operations and finance, choosing to instead funnel as many dollars as possible into programs that serve their stakeholders. When you or I volunteer our time to paint a room, sort donated food or read to a child, we help that nonprofit deliver on their mission.

But imagine if – instead of painting, sorting or

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reading – each of us was able to leverage our unique skillsets to build the capacity of that nonprofit organization to do more or do it better or faster. A digital marketing guru, financial planner, video game coder or expert project manager can create change not just in that moment but for the ongoing work of that organization.

Those are the types of superpowers that – when unlocked – can transform an organization and a community. If you’re savvy with technology, help an older neighbor set up and learn to use a Zoom account. If people always rave about your holiday parties, help a youth center plan the theme and strategy for their upcoming gala. Maybe you’re a social media influencer and can develop a digital marketing plan for the local food pantry, or a database manager that can help a racial justice organization select and set up a new system to track all their volunteers. And don’t forget about the hobbies that you might not think of as “capital-S” skills but that can contribute to community wellbeing all the same, like sewing, baking, gardening or planning an epic and logistically flawless block party.

Your time has value and can make an incredible difference – there’s no doubt of that. But your time PLUS your superpower skills? That’s an unbeatable combination that can change your neighborhood, your local nonprofits and you for the long term.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Did You Know?

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A Global Connection Through Volunteering Sue Toomey, executive director, HandsOn Hong Kong A Points of Light Global Network Affiliate As an American living and working in Asia for the past 20 years, I’ve encountered a range of approaches and views towards volunteerism. While planting trees and delivering hot meals works well in one community, gathering a team of volunteers to solve a strategic issue for a nonprofit may better serve the needs in another. Growing up in Ohio, volunteerism was a built-in component of my life.

From earning Girl Scout badges for volunteering as a young girl to visiting the local Veterans’ Hospital over the holidays in high school to supporting campus-related projects at university, volunteering was a constant. As I entered the work world, I was fortunate to live in Chicago where organizations in the city made it convenient and easy to volunteer — and that was my first introduction to organized volunteering.

When I moved to India in 1999, volunteerism seemed to take on a whole new meaning.

Despite the booming tech and business process outsourcing sectors driving India’s economy at the time, the sheer size of the population and lack of adequate infrastructure meant that more than half of the population lived in poverty. The need was omnipresent. My personal experience involved working with the Little Sisters of the Poor, Home for the Aged. Simple tasks such as serving meals and washing up provided support to this under-resourced, yet well-kept home. The sisters welcomed my two-year-old son when he joined me to hand out sweets to the residents, enabling this expatriate the opportunity to connect. Yet many of my Indian friends did not participate in formalized volunteering as they viewed the role they played in taking care of extended family, employees in the home and their immediate families as their service.

Mistrust of nonprofit organizations meant that giving and helping stayed close to home. Today, the younger generation in India has taken a more active role in speaking out against corruption and the more upwardly mobile residents’ attitude

towards volunteering is evolving. Organizations such as iVolunteer, also an affiliate of the Points of Light Global Network, have also helped to professionalize volunteerism in India and bring trust to the sector.

A completely different environment awaited me when I arrived in Hong Kong in 2006. A shiny metropolis. A global financial hub. Designer shops lining the streets. Surely Hong Kong didn’t have vast social needs, at least not visible ones. And yet, 20% of the population lives below the poverty line — that means getting by on just HKD4,000 (or $500 USD) per month. One-third of the city's growing elderly population lives in poverty.

Asylum seekers exist on the brink of destitution and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are marginalized. Yet I couldn’t find opportunities to volunteer, something I heard echoed by friends and colleagues. I recall reading about the launch of HandsOn Hong Kong in 2007 and it was a game-changer. Little did I know that nearly 10 years later I would have the privilege of leading the organization. Volunteering here is diverse. It encompasses the range of direct service activities and capacity-building programs. We’ve seen growing interest from young people who view volunteerism as an opportunity for self-expression and for all volunteers, it's an important aspect of civic engagement.

The volunteering landscape may differ across countries, but what seems to link them all is the opportunity for connection — with service users or other volunteers and to the community. There’s no doubt that participating in local volunteer activities is an incredible way to assimilate and feel at home, no matter where you are. So my advice to anyone working or studying abroad is to find an organization whose mission aligns with your values and whose work aligns with the needs of the community. And get involved.

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What Does That Mean?

Community Service

Skills-Based Volunteering

Work that is done without pay to help people in a community17

Any time someone uses their abilities, talents, networks and resources to volunteer21

Corporate Social Responsibility

Virtual Volunteering

A broad concept that can take many forms and helps a company be socially accountable through programs, philanthropy and volunteer efforts18

Completing tasks, in whole or in part, off-site from the organization or person being assisted, using the internet and a computer, tablet, smart phone or other internet-connected device22

Days of Service A national or global day, often annual, that isdedicated to volunteering in the community, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and International Volunteer Day

Mutual Aid Voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit19

Pro Bono Doing professional, such as legal, work donated for the public good20

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Voluntourism The act or practice of doing volunteer work in the community where one is vacationing23

White Savior Western people going in to “fix” the problems of struggling nations or people of color without understanding their history, needs or the region’s current state of affairs24

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Learning Library Tools and Resources:

Engage

generationOn

BoardSource

Volunteer Match

Learn More: The Ethics of Posting Photos of Poverty (Insight Global Education) Civic Engagement Research: A Look at American Civic Engagement Amid a Global Pandemic (Points of Light) Global Volunteerism Report (Points of Light) The Science of Helping Out (New York Times) Voluntourism: The Good and The Bad (World Vision) Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits (HelpGuide) Pro Bono Perspectives (Podcast: Common Impact) The Value of Volunteer Time (Independent Sector)

What to Watch: The White Savior Complex: The Dark Side of Volunteering (TEDx Talk) On The Road (CBS News) Why Volunteering is Our Most Precious Heirloom (TEDx Talk)

The Book Nook:

Doing Good Better

The Life You Can Save

Humankind

William Macaskill

Peter Singer

Rutger Bregman

These resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Points of Light of any of the products, services or opinions. Points of Light bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content. If there are questions or concerns about the inclusion of a particular resource, please contact info@pointsoflight.org.

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Youth and Family Corner Young people are leading the charge every day to do good through volunteering. Here are four examples of youth and family volunteering and some important lessons we can learn from them for volunteers of all ages.

1. What are your skills? We all have talents we can lend to help out. For Velda Wang, these are artistic skills she developed through taking art classes. When she got to high school, Velda wanted to help others in her community who weren’t able to take art classes. She began volunteering to teach art classes at her local library and recruited other high school students to join her. What are your talents and how can you use them to help?

2. Lean into who you are. Your individual personality is an invaluable tool for volunteering. When Harrison Barnes was a toddler, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and struggled to find an outlet for his boundless energy.

When he was 12, Harrison discovered BMX, off road bike racing, and everything clicked into place helping him focus and channel his boundless energy. Now Harrison volunteers coaching other kids with special needs in BMX. By understanding his unique perspective, he was able to find a way to help others with similar challenges.

3. Don’t be afraid to step up. Putting yourself out there, even if it’s to help others, can feel intimidating. When many small businesses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Arjun Gupta and Rayan Garg stepped up to help them build websites. If there is a cause you want to help, don’t be afraid to step up and make a difference.

4. Team up and have fun! Varying school and work schedules can make it challenging for families to connect and spend time together. Teaming up to volunteer as a family is a great way to bring your family together in a meaningful way. The Nardone family makes a point of having fun while caring for their community in their home state of Michigan, incorporating games such as the Trash Fishing World Championship to clear trash from the local river, or the Motown Modown competition while volunteering to mow grass in community parks. Look for volunteer activities that are engaging for kids (and adults) of all ages, and bring your family’s own personal flair to your volunteering.

Family Friendly Books & Resources The following are resources for families to encourage listening and learning from others as well as information on finding other resources you can trust:

Can We Help?

George Ancona

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101 Small Ways to Change the World

Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed

How to Make a Better World

Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change

Lonely Planet Kids

Emily Pearson

Keilly Swift

Garth Sundem

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOLUNTEER // POINTS OF LIGHT

Continue the Conversation How do your friends, family and colleagues support their communities through volunteerism? Share what you’ve learned and explore the ways in which you and others can leverage your time and talents to support what matters most to you. Here are some discussion questions to get started: • Tell me about the first time you ever volunteered. How did that experience influence your decision to volunteer again? Why or why not?

• What has been the most meaningful volunteer experience you’ve ever had? What made it so meaningful to you?

• Volunteering takes many forms and may not even fit the traditional label of “volunteer.” Have you ever shared your time and didn’t even realize you were actually volunteering? If so, what was that experience like?

• How do you typically look for volunteer opportunities – through online searches, friends/family, etc.?

Why do you choose these approaches to finding opportunities?

• Have you volunteered because someone asked you to join them? If so, how did being invited influence your decision to volunteer?

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Civic Life Journey: Personal Action Plan Do you want to leverage your time and talent to support what matters most to you? Use this worksheet to develop your own Personal Action Plan! By going through each question, you’ll discover opportunities that match your interests and values, and identify up to three action steps. Families are also encouraged to do this exercise together.

How do you currently volunteer to support what you care about?

What are the most recent examples of how you have volunteered over the past 12-24 months?

How did you identify these opportunities?

What are the issues that you are most passionate about?

Circle the 3 issue areas that most interest you.

• Adult or Youth Education

• Philanthropic or Social Mission

• Animal Welfare

• Hunger

• Arts & Culture

• Immigrant or Refugee Services

• Civil & Human Rights

• LGBTQ+ Rights

• Disaster Response

• Racial & Social Justice

• Environment/Climate Change

• Senior Services

• Fair Wages & Labor Practices

• Veterans

• Health & Wellness

• Women & Girls

• Homelessness & Housing

• Other: ___________

• Human Trafficking

• Other: ___________

What skills or personal passions are you interested in applying?

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Discovery: Learn more about the causes you care about!

Find three individuals or organizations addressing each issue you circled

Can you see & identify differences in the approach of the organizations?

Which approaches resonate most with you?

(systems, programming or policies)

Did your research reveal any misconceptions or surprises?

What more do you want to learn?

What could be potential barriers to volunteering?

Challenges

Solutions

What three new actions will you take related to volunteering over the next six months?

(Get creative and make sure your action steps align with what is needed by the causes and organizations you are interested in supporting. And remember, it may be as simple as inviting friends or family to join you.)

1.

2.

3.

This Personal Action Plan was developed in partnership with HandsOn Greater Richmond, a service of the Community Foundationfor a greater Richmond, and was inspired by their Giving Back Guide.

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Appendix 1

https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve/via

2

https://www.pointsoflight.org/civic-engagement-research/

3

https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/2017/2017_Study-Doing-Good-is-Good-for-You.pdf

4

https://www.pointsoflight.org/civic-engagement-research/

5

https://www.pointsoflight.org/civic-engagement-research/

6

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/clara-barton

7

https://streetcivics.com/15-incredible-examples-of-one-person-making-a-difference/

8

https://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/teen-flies-across-country-delivering-ppe-to-rural-hospitals/

9

https://www.pointsoflight.org/civic-engagement-research/ https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve/via

10 11

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm

12

https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/volunteering-statistics/

13

https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/2017/2017_Study-Doing-Good-is-Good-for-You.pdf

14

https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/

15

https://independentsector.org/value-of-volunteer-time-2020/

16

https://www.pointsoflight.org/the-extra-mile-points-of-light-volunteer-pathway/

17

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community%20service

18

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/corp-social-responsibility.asp

19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_aid_(organization_theory)

20

24

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20bono

21

https://www.realizedworth.com/2018/10/31/what-is-skills-based-volunteering-2/

22

http://www.coyotecommunications.com/vvwiki/definition.shtml

23

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluntourism

24

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=White%20savior

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Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through affiliates in 200 cities across 37 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 14 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to where it’s needed most.

For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. To use or distribute this resource, please attribute publication to Points of Light.