Volunteering Part Two

Yesterday at Cox's Chapel Grange, VA, one of the members talked about volunteering and what the definition was. When he asked for a definition, I challenged him to find one that is appropriate for his Grange. However, after reflecting on his questions I decided to add to my first post on volunteering.

Grange membership is a volunteer action. We choose to affiliate with a others of like mind and within a structure that gives rules and rights to each member. No member is required to be a member, we choose to pay our dues.

Each member volunteers how much time they will give to the Grange cause. Attending meetings, participating in community service projects, fund-raising efforts, and other activities are choices each member make. Membership in the Grange can never be based, nor dues set, by which or how many of these things we do as volunteers.

Volunteering is an action in which no one pays you to do something. If you're being paid, you are not a volunteer in the strict sense of the word.

So why do people volunteer?

Volunteering gives people the opportunity to learn leadership skills that can benefit them in other parts of their life. What we do in the Grange often gives us lessons that aid us throughout life.

Volunteering gives people personal satisfaction. We make friends and are with our friends at Grange and our various activities. We get a sense of achievement by being a part of a team that accomplishes a project. We get to feel the pride that comes from seeing a personal goal achieved by the Grange. Much of the reward of volunteer comes from the feelings we get from being part of a team that does things an individual may not be able to do.

Volunteering is about giving back to others. We can do this in many ways, but Grange is one effective way to share our blessings with others. Why do you volunteer?