Volunteering creates belonging
Who has made it their New Year’s resolution to volunteer more?
Going to the gym is a noble goal (although one that is statistically unlikely to continue) but there are better (or shall we say, additional?) ways to be active and healthy in your community.
Volunteering is a great way for new residents to insinuate themselves into the social fabric of the community. Signing up for a road side clean-up or flipping burgers at the charity barbecue has always been an effective way to meet people, get a sense of the community, and do something good with your free time.
In the past, there was more of an expectation that newcomers would get involved in their community – through church, the Masons or the Women’s Institute. Members of the multi-generational families that these institutions relied on either took up roles throughobligation, duty and even inheritance.
But, as is inevitable, things change.
This week’s Echo includes an article about a post-pandemic decline in volunteerism. Reporter Bonnie MacPherson talked to just a few of the many organizations that do essential work in our communities by beautifying the village, promoting agriculture, supporting the arts, and hosting top- notch local events. People love these activities but sometimes don’t have a good understanding of what it takes to pull them off.
And then there are the less visible volunteer services that support health care and offer social services. Think Special Olympics, food banks, and service clubs like the Lions and Rotary. There is even a significant volunteer work force at hospitals and township facilities.
According to Volunteer Canada, whose mission is to advance volunteerism to grow connection, community and belonging, “declining volunteer rates and challenges in recruiting and retaining those volunteers, coupled with an ever-increasing demand for services, has resulted in growing social and economic vulnerability for people in Canada… In the face of urgent challenges, such as the rising costs of living, our aging population, the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing loneliness pandemic and the climate crisis, it is more important than ever to revitalize volunteerism in Canada.”
In an affluent community it is reasonable to expect that people may have more free time to volunteer, especially if they retire early or work fewer hours than most. On the flip side, there are those who are working multiple jobs who genuinely don’t have the time. But many people are in service to their community in large and small ways, whether through friend groups, their children’s interests or their aging parents. This helps create a sense of belonging.
Knowing that the social fabric of Canada, however frayed, depends on volunteers, it begs the question from all of us: Could we spare a few more hours?