Miller: Be a Volunteer in Your Community

by Tipi Colley Miller, the Opelika Auburn News

Recently, the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) released the 2013 findings of volunteer accomplishments in America. Sadly, the number of volunteers reported has decreased. In 2011, the number of Americans that volunteered was 64.3 million. In 2013, this number dropped to 62 million Americans that volunteered. Why the change in statistics? Perhaps our society is becoming more self-oriented and less civic-oriented. Without numbers to back me up, I presume that some changes are due to an increase in technology. Most communication can be done through a screen rather than face to face. Instead of having the conversation about the holidays with your neighbor as you pull her garbage can to the road, you can just send a text. People might feel there is no need to meet people in a new community when they have 653 ÒfriendsÓ online. With our 24-hour connection, there is little down-time for coaching t-ball or serving as troop leader for Boy Scouts. Generally, there are several reasons people do not volunteer. There is a stigma that you have to be qualified to be an efficient volunteer. To read to children at a daycare, you simply have to know how to read. If you help with someoneÕs grocery shopping, you simply have to go to the grocery store. Another misconception is fear of the time commitment. Locally, there are a host of wonderful non-profits that can accommodate your schedule. If you want a one day opportunity, My Jerusalem is a great way to be involved. One Saturday in March, volunteers will repair roofs, build ramps, paint and share love with others in our community. Weekly and monthly volunteer times are available at the Food Bank of East Alabama, Boys and Girls Clubs and other organizations. Finally, one barrier for volunteers is being unaware of the opportunities that exist. If you are new to town, join a few local groups on social media. Ask around. Read the newspaper to learn about upcoming events. Join a civic club. Discover your passion and get to work. The NCoC report indicating that volunteerism has slowly declined should also be a wake-up call to non-profits. Is the non-profit reaching out to the community to recruit volunteers? Is the non-profit educating current volunteers in an effort to recruit friends, family and neighbors? Also, is the time the volunteers spends worth their while? If a volunteer feels unneeded, they most likely will not return. ~1@BODYURL[id=114jbcurl1249]@