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The Spirit of Giving
At a kick-off event for a mentor program that pairs University freshmen with upperclassmen, one senior volunteer mentor showed up at the check-in table, gave his name, and then said, "Look, I'm a resume builder." The person handing out nametags at the check-in took a moment to think about what he meant and looked back at the senior, who appeared emotionless as he accepted his nametag. The senior then asked, "How long is this thing going to be anyway?"
Volunteering is powerful medicine for today's me-centered culture, where individuals whine when they don't get their way and forget that government is about the greater good, not just how large of a tax rebate one gets. Unfortunately, many people abuse the spirit of volunteerism, using it to their own ends. Genuine volunteerism forces us out of isolation and encourages us to interact. Whether directly serving individuals or working in an organization, volunteers have the opportunity to enrich their lives from increased interactions. They can revel in the positive interactions and learn from the negative ones.
Volunteering is also a relief from the clock-crazed lifestyle we live, where people equate being a busy person with being a better person. Volunteering forces us to take a break from our activities and focus on doing something for the greater good of our communities. Unlike watching TV or surfing the web, volunteering provides a productive, guilt-free break from the stress or drudgery of day-to-day life.
Most importantly, volunteering broadens your perspectives and brings new experiences. It makes you a more interesting and more aware person. It gives you a first hand perspective on organizations, ideas, and problems you either never knew existed or only had a media-fed view of. One college student volunteered at a correctional facility's decisional training program. Weekly, she worked one on one with inmates convicted of drug charges, assault, and rape. This experience helped her overthrow her stereotypes of those behind bars.
The University is a great place to start volunteering. Find something you love to do. Don't bother investing time in something you don't enjoy, and don't volunteer for so many things that you can't make a significant contribution to any one of them. Groups offer opportunities to get involved both on campus and in the community. If you can't find a club on campus that suits your interest, create your own organization with the help of the Campus Involvement Center.
Although some students say their studies are too demanding to allow for any side endeavors, we all share the responsibility to give to the wider community in some way. Society is based on social interaction--on a sense of common good and mutual responsibility. When individuals become centered on their own needs and wants at the expense of others, society breaks down.
"'Tis better to give than to receive," is not a phrase for Christmastime alone. After all, life is the season of giving. Give generously of yourself to your community now and long after your resume is filled!
The Editors.
