More U Give, More U Have

Volunteering is not a new concept for us.Our ancestors use to donate the small percentage of their earnings to the needy's. In pre - the era they have their social issues, their own way to resolve them. Temples, Dharamsala-yen, Food distribution were the path to do social activities & volunteering.After Gandhi called Socio-economic reforms, Tata, Birla's came forward to built education trust, Research Institutes & colleges as compared to spiritual monuments.The whole country came together to fight the atrocities of Britishers that was also the form of volunteering.

What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” — Aristotle

Volunteering has its own advantage on Health, Environment, Personal traits & on Society.Good health is as much of a journey as it is a destination. Traditionally, our health has been left to the care of our doctors, nurses and other health professionals who have done so much for us in clinical settings. In recent years we have started to realize that good health means much more than a set of numbers tracking height, weight, heart rate and cholesterol. It starts with the individual. It means taking an integrated approach to well-being that includes not only our physical health but our emotional health, our sense of purpose, our connections to our community and our overall quality of life. 

Of course, if people are feeling healthier because they are volunteering, they will feel better at work as well. But in addition to the great benefit of employees who feel healthier, employers find that volunteering employees are less stressed, more engaged, and are developing important work and “people” skills. That makes employers feel good too.

According to WHO study on volunteering, People who volunteer report that they feel better in a number ways.

1. 76% report volunteering has made them feel healthier
2. 94% report volunteering has improved their mood.
3. 78% report volunteering reduce their Stress level.
4. 95% said they are helping to make their community a better place
5. 96% said that volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life 

About a quarter of the people who have volunteered in the past 12 months say that volunteering has helped them to manage a chronic illness. Physically, volunteering helps keep them active, but even more importantly, volunteering takes their mind off of their own problems and helping other people just makes them feel better. Doing good for others is good for you!

Volunteering environment not only benefits employee but also to employers in many ways such as low attrition rate, secure environment, ownership & responsibility towards the organizational work, reduction in work stress level along with healthier life.Employers directly can see the benefits of physically and mentally healthier employees. The value of better health and reduced stress is documented. Healthier employees drive lower health care costs and higher productivity. Employees who experience lower levels of stress are more present and engaged, which further reduces health care costs and elevates on-the-job performance.

Whether you are talking about functional job skills or interpersonal, team-building skills, volunteering provides an opportunity for employees to learn and develop skills that make them more proficient and effective in the workplace in important ways.Volunteers make time to volunteer, taking hours or days from leisure and family activities and rearranging busy schedules to be there for others.Volunteer days or community activities for groups of employees makes it easier for employees to find and access volunteer activities and also provides an opportunity for co-workers to get to know each other outside of the usual work environment.Volunteering sharp their skills when employees use their skill for the betterment of society.It helps in career building to the new professionals as their network is kept diverging.

When employers promote volunteering, it not only builds better health and job skills, it earns goodwill. Employees appreciate their employers when volunteering programs are supported in the workplace.

Volunteering stands out as an activity that has all the right stuff. We’ve known for a long time that the hours and resources that individuals contribute through volunteer efforts make our communities better places.

 Employers play a significant role in enabling volunteering and enjoy real benefits as a consequence. Healthier, more engaged employees are more productive. Building goodwill has both intangible and tangible rewards. 

It’s not often we find this kind of win-win activity. Doing good is good for us. We can do more. Do better. Let’s go.

Author: Pawan Sharma