National Service Training Program Herminigildo S.

Villasoto & Noemie S. Villasoto

Volunteerism is the act, practice, or principle of contributing one's time, talents, and resources freely to worthwhile
purposes without tangible compensation. It is considered the most fundamental act in society. It is geared towards good
causes that help alleviate the suffering of others and promotes peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens.

Volunteerism can cover service in various areas, ranging from medical, environmental, and educational support groups,
to child protection and human rights advocacies, poll or election work, peacekeeping missions, and relief operations,
among others.

Some people consider volunteerism as a pastime; others see it as a vocation. Some volunteers have high-paying jobs
and stable careers; others are well known in their fields. Volunteers could be teachers, doctors, lawyers, or celebrities, as
well as housewives, students, or retirees.

Regardless of age, economic status, gender, and educational attainment, volunteers work together towards a common
cause for which they commit their time, expertise, and sometimes even their own money.

However, one does not become a volunteer by simply raising his/her hand. A volunteer has to undergo training and
attend seminars for specific functions or tasks that he/she volunteers for. According to Allen Moore's Community
Development Practice: Theory in Action (2009), the following are the characteristics of volunteers:

1. A volunteer willingly and excellently performs his/her tasks. He/She makes himself/herself aware
of other people's needs and addresses them.

2. A volunteer strives to make other people happy by talking to them, and is concerned when others
are unable to say the things that need to be said for the good of all.

3. A volunteer is very faithful in an unfaithful world. He/She listens when others need to speak about
their fears and problems.

Volunteers are people from all walks of life, ages, and stages who have a common desire to make a difference in their
community and their own life by giving their time and expertise. For young people, volunteering brings a new sense of
confidence and self-gratification. It is a good way to interact in the "grown-up world." It enables them to develop
communication, careerbuilding, and social skills that will be useful in other facets of their lives. Benefits of
Volunteerism

Volunteerism provides the following benefits:

1. Community development

2. Skill development of volunteers

3. Peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens

4. Career opportunities for volunteers

5. Friendship among citizens

6. Experience and self-esteem gained by volunteers

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Values Expected of Volunteers

The following are some core values expected of volunteers:

1. Commitment. Volunteers are attached to, identified with, and involved in community service.

2. Professionalism. Volunteers observe work ethics in performing their responsibilities by exhibiting

3. Creativity. Volunteers constantly search for new strategies and methods of doing a task for
improved results.

4. Unity. A volunteer supports teamwork to achieve a common goal.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are various volunteer opportunities that a person can choose from. The following questions can serve as a guide
in identifying what volunteer opportunity will best suit a person (Perkins, 2014):

1. If you have all possible human and financial resources at your disposal, what issue would you
address, what would you change, and what wouldyou create?

2. How much time are you willing to commit to volunteering?

3. Would you like to volunteer on your own or with a group?

4. Would you like to volunteer from your own home or through an organization?

5. If you would prefer volunteering away from your home, would you like it near your home, work, or
other specific location?

6. Do you possess any skill or talent that you would like to share to the organization you are
volunteering under?

7. Would you like to develop a new set of skills?

8. What are your personal goals?

Potential volunteer opportunities are as follows: A. Based on the interests of an individual:

1. If you like animals, you can help out at an animal shelter or the nearest zoo.

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Villasoto & Noemie S. Villasoto
2. If you like working with kids, you can get involved at a day-care or preschool center, or help
younger students with their schoolwork.

3. If you enjoy playing sports, you can play games with the kids at a nearby sports complex or
organize a mini-sports fest.

4. If you like to cook, you can get together with friends and teach moms or housekeepers new recipes,
the latest about food preparation and preservation, and entrepreneurship opportunities in cooking.

5. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you can teach others how to make curtains or bedspreads, embroider
pillowcases and towels, and create unique fashion accessories at a women's shelter, nursing home, or orphanage.

6. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can help organize a clean-up drive in your street or park, or help a
neighbor plant flowers.

7. If you enjoy dancing, singing, and acting, you can participate in your community's cultural show
group.

8. If your grandparents have passed away or live far, and you do not get to see them as often you want
to, you can make friends with a senior citizen and treat him/her as your own grandmother or grandfather.

9. If you are interested in foreign culture, you can volunteer at a school that accepts foreign students.

10. If you are concerned about people with disabilities, you can volunteer at an agency or institution
that care for people with physical or mental disabilities.

B. Based on the future career goal of an individual:

1. If you like to work in the medical field, you can volunteer at a community health center,
government hospital, or clinic.

2. If you are interested in teaching, you can volunteer at a public school.

3. If you are interested in science, you can volunteer at the local science museum or zoo.

4. If you like to work in an office someday, you can volunteer at a nonprofit organization.

Community Service

Community service is unpaid work performed by students or a group of students for the community without
compensation. It may be voluntary or compulsory depending on the situation. Community service includes the
following:

1. First aid training or health care, preschool storytelling, social welfare, social services, trauma
counseling, group dynamics, crime prevention, recreation, street cleaning, and community improvement

2. Serving in the youth corps, as defined in the NSTP Act of 2001

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3. Assisting students with disabilities

4. Tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities,

Voluntary community service can be rendered in government offices, private companies, or in any place
where one's services may be needed.
Volunteers can also work from their homes.