[OLPC India] FW: How to be a good volunteer

Fri Aug 27 17:37:40 EDT 2010

 An excellent set of posts at (courtesy Dr Verma)

http://saigonolpc.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/how-to-be-a-good-volunteer-part-one/

, http://saigonolpc.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/how-to-be-a-good-volunteer-part%C2%A0two/

and http://saigonolpc.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/how-to-be-a-good-volunteer-part%C2%A0three/

PART I

CHOOSE YOUR ROLE. Look at all possible projects and ask yourself two

questions: What would I really want to do and what kind of skills do I

have? You could bring increased value by helping using your skill set,

however you can always try something new if you feel strongly about a

particular project. There are many projects and we are sure there will

be at least one that speaks to your heart.

SET REALISTIC GOALS by not trying to change the world overnight or

help everyone! It is hard for one person to save everyone, sorry, but

you are not a superhero. Instead, begin with one person, one animal,

or one group that you can help. Then make one achievable goal and work

toward it. Always remember, there are a lot of us and our collective

volunteer power is strong. All of your efforts are multiplied by the

efforts of others.

HAVE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS about your living conditions and how easy

daily tasks should be. Remember, you are not going on vacation: you

are doing a project! There will be resistance and obstacles. Sure, you

will meet new people and have fun, but it will require hard work in

new conditions. Sometimes you will have to share a dorm room with

other volunteers; you may encounter cockroaches; have a language

barrier or learn that your instructions are not followed etc… It is

not the end of the world. You will be there with people who have the

same values.  Later in life, perhaps, you’ll remember this time as the

best experience, when you were both driven and audacious.

SWITCH OR NOT TO SWITCH, that’s the question when you start to waiver

on your project. Do not be hasty. If you do not like your first

project, and you feel less skilled think of it as a learning

experience. If you feel overwhelmed or have a fear of failing, why not

overcome it?  Prove to yourself that you are more than what you

thought you were capable of and keep at it.  If you still do not like

it or do not feel confident, then switch projects. Maybe you will be

exceptionally good at something else.

LEARN. Even if you are an expert, there is always a lesson to be

learned. Life is a two-way street: we teach and we learn. You will

need to know how to get the assignment done; especially in a new

country, things may be very different. This could require learning new

skills or using different materials. If you need more training to get

ready, ask for the manuals, a demonstration and/or assistance. If you

know what to do and how to do it well, it will be easier to help

others.

PART II

MAKE AN EFFORT! Showing up to do your project is only the first step.

It is important to take your volunteer work seriously. You are

providing help to people and places that are in real need. Your value

to the project is parallel to the effort you put in. Sometimes, it is

hard to give 100% to your project, but please try. Specifically,

always come on time to your project and be appropriately dressed no

matter how much partying occurred the night before or what the

thermometer reads that morning. Constantly remind yourself why you

signed up to volunteer.

If you push yourself, you will find your own limits, talents, and

skills you never knew about. Often people realize their potential is

more than what they ever estimated. As you extend yourself, the

project will succeed because you gave it 100%. You will amaze yourself

and those around you.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE is imperative. Think about those around you who are

in need or in trouble. You are there to help them, not bring negative

energy. Please, stay upbeat, think of any difficulties as a learning

experience, and try to resolve them diplomatically. Always have a

positive attitude and demonstrate to others that you are there

volunteering by choice.

BE RESPECTFUL Always remember to demonstrate respect for other people

and other cultures, no matter how much culture shock you are going

through. Keep in mind that your way of thinking or living is not the

only one or even the right one. What is normal to you may not be

normal to others. If you seriously disagree about something, speak to

a project leader first. He or she will consult with you, explain the

differences and suggest ways of how to behave in the future. Consider

yourself and your actions as an ambassador of your own culture. You

want to present yourself well and be respected by others, and this is

not achievable if you act snobby or superior. Going to another country

means following their rules, as you are a guest, and they are the

hosts.

BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN-MINDED as there maybe a shift in your schedule or

a change in your role or responsibilities. It is life. Nothing is

permanent in life except for change.

PART III

DO NOT GIVE UP! You will all have moments, when you doubt your

decision to volunteer. You will have a serious urge to stop and go

back to your normal life and to your familiar routine. Sometimes you

will feel bored, sometimes exhausted, and sometimes mad at the people

you work with who are not cooperating. You may even feel angry with

Cheb for getting you involved in being a volunteer. Talk to others and

share your problems because you are not alone. Everyone is going

through the same phases, but remember this stage is temporary, and it

will pass. Always look forward and remember again why you chose to be

there. When you finish the project, you will look back and see the

progress and be amazed with the results.

BE KIND to others. This could mean your peer volunteers, the project

manager, or a local person. You never know what other people are going

through as they may be very vulnerable, sad, or dealing with difficult

issues. We all need support. If you see someone going through a hard

time, try to make him or her smile, offer help or just share your

experience. Sometimes all we need are kind words, and also remember

people’s privacy. If they do not want to share, please do not force

the conversation. If they do engage you, do your best to understand

what other people are going through, even if it’s something you’ve

never dealt with yourself. You will get so much credit for being kind

to someone. Treat others as you would want to be treated, and you will

begin to make friends on this adventure as well.

BE SAFE. If you break your leg or get robbed, it will not make your

experience efficient or enjoyable. Be prepared in advance and read

about cultural norms and safety rules in the area of your project

beforehand. Being prepared also means taking the necessary

precautions: getting appropriate insurance policies and all needed

immunizations, backing up your computer files, pictures, etc. Do not

take unnecessary risks. We want you to be safe, so that you can come

back and tell about your experiences to others who want to go and

continue what you started.

MEASURING YOUR PROGRESS. Many of you will be looking to measure

success of your project participation. Did you really make a

difference? The answer is yes. Whether you built a house for someone,

created a fund-raising campaign, or made a child smile, you did it –

you made a change, you made someone happier and improved the world.

Additionally, in the process of volunteering, we are sure you improved

yourself by simply making an effort to be a better human.

cheers,

Sameer

--

Dr. Sameer Verma, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Information Systems

Director, Campus Business Solutions

San Francisco State University

http://verma.sfsu.edu/

http://opensource.sfsu.edu/

http://cbs.sfsu.edu/

http://is.sfsu.edu/

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