I’ve always volunteered - my parents taught me that it was something that you do. I generally do things that have to do with children and literacy. I serve on a couple of boards, help out with a food pantry and work at a public non-profit. My salary is so low, it’s almost like volunteering! When my kids were growing up I constantly helped in their schools and with their Scout troops. I taught Sunday School for ten years. All three of my kids volunteered at college and my daughter has worked as a mentor and volunteer tutor post grad. I’ve also worked on several political campaigns. Finding something that really speaks to you and uses your talents is key. In my area there’s a volunteer clearinghouse that works with matching volunteers with non-profits.
I taught Sunday school before and after retirement, and adult education (GRE prep) for some years after. I found the latter very discouraging because so many of the learners didn’t stick with the program for very long. When I started playing bridge after a long break fron the game, I did some teaching in schools and other minor activities. Then I joined the local Board and took on several projects. At times it feels like I’m working again because of the hours I’ve put in and the interesting relationships it entails.
My mother volunteered until she died at age 85, and I volunteered as a child. I continued to volunteer as an adult and parent. My three kids were encouraged to volunteer as teens. Currently only one of my adult kids volunteers in a tradional sense, i.e. helping less privaledged or those in need. But my S is also a volunteer board member, actually president at the moment, at our local non-profit community theater.
The three generation of volunteering covers a very broad sprectrum. I absolutely believed in teaching my kids volunteering, as did my mother to me.
H family, never did.
My regular volunteer gig is on the woodlands crew in my local park. Spring, summar and fall, we mulch trails, pull weeds, pick up garbage and do other projects. Because I spend long hours in an office all week, getting outside is intensely good. If/when I retire, I think I would also like to do something more helping-people oriented like tutoring.
I love the other people on the woodlands crew, though. Some are working stiffs like me but there are also quite a few interesting retired folks who do other volunteer work during the week. And I love the high school students who often participate for a year or so while they doing their community service requirements. They always have a lot to say and keep the rest of us laughing.
One of those lovely high school students eventually graduated with a degree in English Literature and came back to the park as a Natural Resource Specialist and is now an arborist (and a writer).
I volunteer at an independent and assisted living facility where my mom lives. I started a social club there after hearing from residents that there are not always nightly activities after dinner. We call it the Sunset Social Club, meeting once per week from 6:30 pm. On most weeks it usually doesn’t break up until after 8 pm. It is very unstructured but I always have a topic or direction for the group to go if necessary. The group size ranges anywhere from 6 to 16 residents, with a core group of loyal attendees including my mother of course!
Beginning in the Fall I head a committe that organizes an employee appreciation fund drive for the staff there. It is run completely independently by a handful of residents and myself. Since the staff cannot accept any tips, residents may contribute once per year to the hourly employees. We distribute the money based on the number of hours worked.
I also volunteer/paid a stipend (and travel expenses where relevant) for being a consumer on a panel that reviews grants and proposals for a federal government program regarding health issues. I am one of the patient/caregiver voices as to the impact the proposed research would have if the research is funded. It is fascinating and a role I have just taken on in the past few years. I have also received travel and honoraria for being a speaker at times, but usually just donate my time.
I volunteer, as does my wife, but I try to keep it at arms length because each organization will try to eat your time (and money). Like if you spend time at an animal shelter, you’re inundated with requests for goods, for time, for fostering animals, etc. Or if you do police support, you are asked to do all sorts of stuff all the time. My point: you need to keep control of yourself and your time because every single organization is needy beyond words.
I teach Sunday school, coach soccer and do a bunch of administrative stuff for our community soccer organization