NiSource’s Post

National Volunteer Month is April, but for Kendal at Oberlin residents and staff volunteering is year-round, 24/7. Just look at this snapshot for 2023: The grand total of all volunteer hours reported by Kendal residents and staff for 2023 is 63,490, up more than 7,000 hours from 2022. This year 219 residents reported volunteer hours, which is also higher than last year. Residents and staff volunteered 23,234 hours outside of Kendal in eight categories (starting with the highest): Organizations, Church, Oberlin College/LCCC, Government, Medical, Meals, Schools and Miscellaneous. Residents volunteered 40,256 hours within the nonprofit Kendal community. Kendal’s robust volunteering stats are compiled by its Volunteer Clearinghouse Committee (Anne Elder, Ann Findlan, Tomo Ijiri, Pearl Lin, Anne Martin, and Andy Unger), who are preaching to the choir when they talk about the benefits of volunteering. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering: 1. Leads to lower rates of depression, especially for people 65 and older; 2. Gives a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills; 3. Helps stay mentally and physically active; 4. May reduce stress levels; 5. May increase life satisfaction and self-esteem; 6. Helps you meet others and develop new relationships. Want to find a volunteer project that fits your skills and interest? Points of Light maintains a database of volunteer opportunities throughout the country. Or contact your local school district, library, senior center, YMCA or United Way for suggestions. If you are interested in an intergenerational activity, consider becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. According to the organization, “Studies show that children who have role models are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and friends, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, abuse drugs, or commit crimes.” Photographed are resident and staff volunteers gardening at Oberlin Community Services earlier this year.

This weekend's article in the SMH provided valuable insights into the current challenges of volunteering. My key takeaways: 👉 Increasing Sign-on Requirements: While it's essential to ensure the safety of both volunteers and the people they assist, how can organizations strike a balance between maintaining safety and reducing the barriers to volunteering? 👉 Volunteering Under Pressure: Volunteering significantly boosts the wellbeing of both volunteers and those they support. Yet, volunteer numbers are dwindling, even as the need for their help in communities has never been greater. The statistics are concerning – participation has fallen from 36.2% of those aged 18+ in 2010 to 24.8% of those aged 15+ in 2020. 👉A Positive Opportunity: Interestingly, nearly 14% of non-volunteers reported that they hadn't been asked to volunteer. VA sees this as a promising opportunity – it highlights an untapped pool of potential volunteers. 💡 This is something we can leverage – I plan to start asking more people! We are looking for volunteers now in many locations: https://lnkd.in/grh4DVb7

For this week's High Five Friday, we’re shining a spotlight on The Big Help Out, a non-profit initiative that encourages both individuals and businesses to actively contribute to their local communities. Founded in 2023 to mark the King's Coronation, The Big Help Out has quickly evolved into a nationwide effort, bringing people together with the common goal of making a positive impact. This year, nearly 6.5 million people across the UK participated in The Big Help Out weekend. From cleaning up parks and planting gardens to creating gifts for veterans and organising family events, people came together in a variety of ways to support their communities. The impact of The Big Help Out is significant: ◾ 79% of participants connected with people from different cultural, religious, or social backgrounds. ◾ 79% of participants reported being more likely to volunteer in the future. ◾ 76% felt a stronger sense of belonging in their community as a result of their involvement. Businesses of all sizes have been instrumental in the success of The Big Help Out. Whether it’s small local shops or large national brands, every business can make a difference by getting involved. Looking ahead to 2025, The Big Help Out is encouraging businesses to support local community events, organise their own volunteering activities, and encourage employees to get involved. It’s a fantastic opportunity to engage with your community, strengthen relationships with customers, and make a lasting impact. If your business is eager to take part, join the thousands of companies who participated last year in the UK’s largest volunteering campaign. For more information, you can download their Business Pack and explore how you can get involved – see the link in the comments section below. Imagine the change you could inspire by simply lending a hand!  

A CharityVillage article about trends in nonprofit volunteering: How Trends Can Affect Volunteer Programs and How They Can Thrive. "Some of these trends that have crept into the nonprofit sector, and specifically volunteer programs . . .: - Project, short-term, and flexible volunteering - Hybrid and/or virtual volunteering - Multiple generations volunteering together (4 generations volunteering together) Read more at https://lnkd.in/gwTenBkZ #volunteers #volunteering #nonprofit

This #VolunteersWeek, we are looking at Norfolk’s voluntary sector from different points of view. Today is all about family volunteering, and we’ll take a deep-dive into how we’re helping people who perhaps aren’t the typical volunteer get involved with volunteering… Our Nourishing Norfolk programme started in 2020, and we realised straight away that volunteers would be essential to drive the programme forward. Many of our food hubs are 100% volunteer run, and several have volunteer coordinator posts to foster beneficial community engagement from a broad range of people who often don’t engage with volunteering. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved across the programme. For young people, volunteering at a Nourishing Norfolk food hub helps build confidence, boost self-esteem and develop a sense of achievement. For those looking to get into work, hubs offer practical experience and new skills through volunteering. For people with green fingers, there is the opportunity to get involved with Nourishing Norfolk Growers to grow healthy food for their local hub. Furthermore, many individuals who use the food hub want to give back to the people and the place which has supported them to express their gratitude and make a difference in their community. Additionally, older people seeking connection benefit from the social interactions and sense of community that volunteering provides. With such a broad range of options and reasons for volunteering, it’s hardly surprising that whole families can be found volunteering at their local hub! Find out more about volunteering with Nourishing Norfolk 🔗 norfolkfoundation.com/grow

I strongly believe that volunteering should be driven by sincere intentions and a genuine desire to make a difference, rather than as a self-serving activity or something to simply check off a list. I have a vivid memory of a friend who volunteered for a community project focused on improving children's literacy. The impact of this experience was truly transformative, touching the lives of not only the children but also everyone involved. It was about more than just showing up; it was about showing up with true dedication to bring about real change. The connections formed, the trust established, and the progress achieved were all built on a shared passion for the cause. This, to me, embodies the essence of volunteering. Research shows that volunteering can strengthen social connections and enhance community well-being. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, volunteers are nearly twice as likely to contribute to charitable causes, highlighting the powerful influence of genuine dedication. When we volunteer with true compassion, the impact extends far beyond personal satisfaction—it fosters community growth, strengthens social bonds, and creates positive societal change. Lending a helping hand with sincerity and genuine intent has the potential to lead to significant transformations in the lives of individuals and communities alike. Let's honour this by embracing volunteering with honesty and a profound sense of duty. Have you ever volunteered before? If so, how would you describe your experience?

Is your volunteer program agile and flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs of volunteers? 👥 The nonprofit sector is laying the foundation for the future of volunteerism, and emerging trends are impacting volunteerism across various verticals. From changes to the scope of volunteer roles to the administration of volunteer programs, nonprofits need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends to ensure that their volunteer base remains strong. Check out this article by Lori Gotlieb for actionable tips to help you adapt and keep your volunteer program sustainable. ⬇️ https://okt.to/1Kc3hA #article #blogs #leadership #charity #nonprofit #philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #notforprofit #blog #blogging #nonprofitwork #nonprofitlife #network #association #nonprofitorganization #community #leadership #volunteerism #volunteer #VolunteerEngagement #VolunteerManagement

How are your New Year’s resolutions going? Well, we thought we’d give you one more option to consider—VOLUNTEERING! Of course, there are LOTS of reasons we’d love to have you join the KARM family. In addition to those reasons, research shows volunteering is good for YOU. Here’s what a recent “Business Wire” article says about the benefits of volunteering: “Picking a cause and getting out to volunteer turns out to be the one single, achievable, sustainable and widely beneficial resolution for the New Year that checks off so many of the top resolutions on everyone’s lists. In addition to helping others, studies show volunteering can benefit the volunteer in many ways, including: • 96% report feeling a greater sense of purpose when they volunteer • 94% of people who volunteer report that it improves their mood • 76% say volunteering makes them feel physically healthier and reduces stress, which in turn may help reduce risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and anxiety” We also LOVE it when groups of employees come to KARM to serve meals or provide snacks in our courtyard concessions area. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at KARM, email volunteer@karm.org. We can’t wait to meet you!

Volunteering and wellbeing We all know that the incidence of burnout is increasing, and specialists recommend various preventive measures. I am not a specialist, but I allow myself an inexpensive recommendation designed to provide a sense of well-being: volunteering. Believe it or not, volunteering has a number of benefits. I chose to talk about two benefits that I experienced. 1. Reduces stress We all have busy periods with tasks, inherent problems, and pressing deadlines. Participating, offering assistance when it appears you're the one in need, and lending a helping hand to those in greater need can reveal the true clarity of your troubled circumstances. It can make you order your thoughts and make peace in the chaos. 2. Maintains a positive mindset People engage in volunteer activities for the benefit of others. And this connection is really helpful. Being on both sides of the barricade—as an organization representative and an individual volunteer—has led me to wonderful people. When was the last time you volunteered? How did the experience help you?

📣Why Volunteering in the Workplace is a good idea!📣 Did you know that this week is Volunteers’ Week – 3-9 June 2024? Volunteers’ Week has been around for 40 years and is used as a time to inspire more people to make a difference. It takes place for a week from the first Monday in June. ***************************** Why volunteer? The Volunteers’ Week organisation states volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to society and help others, which in turn makes you feel great. To find out more please click on the following link https://lnkd.in/eDcQqZbe *****************************   I believe it is a good idea for all organisations to encourage volunteering all year round whether they provide time off for their people to volunteer in a way they choose or arrange corporate events and opportunities. Whilst it is great to have a reminder, promote and celebrate volunteering for a week; there are so many more benefits of this becoming a regular part of workplace culture. Having a Volunteers policy can be really helpful too. Here’s some of my reasons why: 1.   Clarity and Consistency: Clear guidelines ensure everyone knows what’s what. 2.   Boosts Participation: Structured support encourages more people to want to volunteer and get involved. 3.   Enhances Engagement: Volunteering often increases job satisfaction and connection to the workplace. 4.   Skill Development: Employees can gain valuable skills that benefit their professional roles. 5.   Positive Image: Demonstrates corporate social responsibility, which in turn can help to attract customers and top talent. 6.   Team Building: Group activities often strengthen team bonds and collaboration. 7.   Well-being: Volunteering can improve mental health and provide a sense of purpose. If you don’t already have a Volunteers policy I recommend that you implement one and see your workplace thrive! Remember, the best way to introduce anything new is to fully engage your people and communicate, communicate communicate 🌟 If you or your workplace take part in volunteering, please leave your comments below.