Malaysia's volunteering network

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization, and fun. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster.

Skills-based volunteering[edit]
Skills-based volunteering is leveraging the specialized skills and talents of individuals to strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofits, helping them build and sustain their capacity to successfully achieve their missions.[4] This is in contrast to traditional volunteering, where specific training is not required.

Volunteering in developing countries[edit]

Laura Bush poses with Peace Corps volunteers Volunteering in developing countries refers to volunteering in needy communities in developing nations. Most of the volunteers from developed countries choose the third world as their volunteering destination, and spend their time working in resource poor schools, teaching, working in orphanages and so on. Nowadays, volunteering has also been termed as an international community service. An able volunteer will pledge their time to work in the international community for various development activities.[5][6]

Virtual volunteering[edit]
Further information: Virtual volunteering Also called e-volunteering or online volunteering, virtual volunteering is a term that describes a volunteer who completes tasks, in whole or in part, offsite from the organization being assisted. They use the Internet and a home, school, telecenter or work computer or other Internetconnected device, such as a PDAs or smartphone. Virtual volunteering is also known as cyber service, telementoring, and teletutoring, and various other names. Virtual volunteering is similar

to telecommuting, except that instead of online employees who are paid, these are online volunteers who are not paid.[7][8]

Micro-volunteering[edit]
Further information: Micro-volunteering Micro-volunteering is an unpaid task that is operated via an internet-connected device and completed in small increments of time. It is distinct from virtual volunteering in that it typically does not require an application process or training period.[9][10]

Environmental volunteering[edit]
Further information: Environmental volunteering Environmental volunteering refers to volunteers who contribute towards environmental management or conservation. Volunteers conduct a range of activities including environmental monitoring, ecological restoration such as re-vegetation and weed removal, protecting endangered animals, and educating others about the natural environment.[11] Giant Panda Conservation program in Xi'an and Sichuan, China is a famous endangered animals protection program. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries conservation program attracts huge foreign support and volunteers.

Volunteering in an emergency[edit]
Volunteering often plays a pivotal role in the recovery effort following natural disasters, such as tsunamis, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami attracted a large number of volunteers worldwide, deployed by non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and the United Nations. [12][13]

Volunteering in schools[edit]
Resource poor schools around the world rely on government support, or on efforts from volunteers and private donations, in order to run effectively. In some countries, whenever the economy is down, the need for volunteers and resources increases greatly.[14] There are many opportunities available in the school system for volunteers to take advantage of. They can add an experience in their resume and learn foreign culture and language. There are not many requirements in order to become a volunteer in the school system. Whether one is a high school or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) graduate or college student, most schools require just voluntary and selfless effort.[15] Much like the benefits of any type of volunteering there are great rewards for the volunteer, student, and school. Volunteering in schools can be an additional teaching guide for the students and help to fill the gap of local teachers. Cultural and language exchange during teaching and other school activities can be the most essential learning experience for both students and volunteers.[15]

Corporate volunteering[edit]
Further information: Volunteer grant A majority of the companies at the Fortune 500 allow their employees to volunteer during work hours. These formalized Employee Volunteering Programs (EVPs), also called Employer Supported Volunteering, are regarded as a part of the companies' sustainability efforts and their social responsibility activities.[16] About 40% of Fortune 500 companies provide monetary donations, also known as volunteer grants, to nonprofits as a way to recognize their employees who dedicate significant amounts of time to volunteering in the community.[17] According to information from VolunteerMatch, a service that provides Employee Volunteering Program solutions, the key drivers for companies that produce and manage EVPs are building brand awareness and affinity, strengthening trust and loyalty among consumers, enhancing corporate image and reputation, improving employee retention, increasing employee productivity and loyalty, and providing an effective vehicle to reach strategic goals.[18]

Community voluntary work[edit]

Community volunteering refers to volunteers who work to improve community enhancement efforts in the area in which they live. Neighborhood, church, and community groups play a key role in building strong cities from the neighborhoods up. Supporting these understaffed groups can enable them to succeed in a variety of areas, which connect social, environmental, and economic boundaries. Volunteers can conduct a wide range of activities. Some choose to support a variety of groups as a "volunteer broker."[19]

International workcamps[edit]
An International workcamp is an international voluntary project in which participants from different countries can meet, live, work, learn and exchange with local people concerning issues about environmental conservation, cultural heritage, social justice, rural and human development, etc. CCIVS, Group Work Foundation, Service Civil International (SCI) are few providing International workcamps It can be divided into short term voluntary projects (STV) and long/middle term voluntary projects (LMTV). STV projects are International workcamps for less than 2 months, while LMTV projects are those lasting 2 months or more. The most common International workcamp lasts for two weeks with a group of 10-20 overseas and local workcamp participa

Community Volunteer Work that Makes a Difference

If youre interested in volunteering, leading projects, networking and having fun you can do all of this and more as a Lions club member. As a Lion, youll perform local volunteer work to improve your community and communities around the world. You can join a local club that meets in person. A cyber club that meets online. Or a special interest club based on your profession, a hobby or anything you care about. You can plan a local project to protect the environment. Recycle

eyeglasses to help the working poor. Or bring clean water to a remote village. Whatever you choose, youll be sharing, caring and making a difference.

Join an International Network of Volunteers and Friends

As a Lions club member, youll join a local group of service -minded men and women who are doing local volunteer work to support your community right now. Youll also become a member of Lions Clubs International, a respected international organization, a leader in your local community and a friend to people in need. There are many reasons to become a member. As a Lion, you will:

Help your community and gain valuable skills Make an impact on people's lives locally and internationally Learn to be a leader and lead a respected organization

Network with business people in your community and around the world

Energize your life and have fun

You'll grow personally and professionally. And you'll know that the community volunteer work you perform is worthwhile and appreciated.

1M4U programmed

What Are the Benefits of Involvement in Volunteering and Community Service? Although it is apparent that community service benefits others in some way, before
creating and maintaining widespread programs, policymakers would like to know how exactly students themselves benefit from participation in these activities. A great deal of research has been done on this subject, resulting in evidence for multiple kinds of benefits. Among the most significant gains reported are the psychological, social, and cognitive benefits experienced by students.

Psychological Benefits:
Overall, sources indicate that students have shown increases in positive feelings and mental health, and decreases in depression and stress. Less Stress & Depression, and More Life Satisfaction

From their analysis of collected data, Peggy Thoits and Lyndi Hewitt (2001) assert that "voluntary association membership contributes to decreased psychological distress and buffers the negative consequences of stressors (Rietschlin 1998); it increases life satisfaction and decreases depression (Van Willigen 1998)."

That "Feel Good" Feeling

According to an article in Current Health 1 magazine, "[i]n a recent survey by Prudential Insurance Company, the number-one reason that young people named for volunteering was that it made them feel good. Eighty-nine percent said so."

Improved Mental Health

Steven Smith (1999) indicates that "[v]olunteering appears to be related to longer life spans and improved mental health," although he also notes that "...the type of volunteering is likely to make a big difference in the effects on mental health."

Social Benefits:
By participating in service projects, students forge bonds with each other, as well as other members of the community. These bonds enhance their interpersonal skills and increase their social network. Additionally, volunteerism can lead to increased care for others and a desire to cooperate and get involved in positive ways, even among those who had previously exhibited antisocial tendencies (Smith 1999). Another major benefit of volunteering is the feeling of social connectedness that appears to be waning in our increasingly segmented society.

Many students have reported an increased sense of social responsibility, and a subsequent desire to "give back" to the communities from which they have come. Trust, Cooperation, and Citizenship

According to Steven Smith (1999), "[v]olunteering by teenagers... appears to modestly inhibit antisocial behaviors." He also indicates that, in addition to reducing negative inclinations such as mistrust and lack of concern for others, volunteering can create positive forces. "Volunteerism can create social capital-- that is, social networks of trust and cooperation-- that can then promote greater political involvement in public affairs." (Smith 1999)

Improved Communication Skills

In a 1991 article by Marty Brewster et al., various students offer their testimonials which link increased volunteerism to increased communication skills. Additionally, Matthew Nelson of the University of Michigan attests to similar gains in his personal reflection on past volunteering experiences.

Positive Opportunities for At-Risk Youth

Many sources indicate, and indeed many organizations have been set up on the premise, that community service projects help redirect energies of at-risk youth to more positive social activities. "For example, City Year, is a largely volunteer program that brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to work on community projects. It is hoped that participation in City Year activities will... offer youths more direction and hope for the future, and provide a learning experience on serious social problems." (Smith 1999)

Cognitive Benefits:
There is a common saying that "you learn something new everyday." This definitely holds true for volunteering. With each new experience, old skills are developed as new ones are learned. New information is integrated with past experience, and one's knowledge base grows. Additionally, the lessons learned from volunteering frequently support and enrich understandings of how the community is set up to function. Furthermore, when students reflect upon and share their experiences, they experience great cognitive gains. Diane Hedin (1989) says that:

"One of the best supported findings of research about community service is that students learn most (knowledge about the people for whom they volunteer, attitudes about being responsible, and being

active citizens, and problem solving skills) when they are in programs that have regular opportunities to process and talk about their direct experiences."

These cognitive gains are a large part of the reason for incorporating volunteering and community service into various curricula and requirements. Political and Civic Awareness

An article by Steven Smith (1999) states that "[t]hrough participation in voluntary associations, individuals will develop a keener appreciation for civic affairs and understand more completely their obligations to participate in the political process." Indeed, people learn about the politics of their civic systems by experiencing and observing the effects of the policies on their communities.

Exposure to Diversity, Multiculturalism, and Different Ways of Thinking

Sandra LeSourd (1997) states that "[p]erspective taking is the intellectual ability that is germane to affirmation of differences for clarification of the public good." This means that it is necessary to take the perspectives of others in order to truly understand the benefits that come out of differences. By becoming involved in various aspects of community life, facets which students would be unlikely to involve themselves otherwise, students gain new information to consider and new ways to think about things. Frequently, they learn a lot from conversing with those whom they help or work with, as they may encounter new points of view. According to LeSourd (1997), this is beneficial because the "ideals of democratic life cannot encompass all members of the national community until people of different traditions listen to the voices of others."

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

According to Diane Hedin (1989), "[t]he situations in which young people learn most are ones in which they have the opportunity to determine what needs to be done at developmentally appropriate levels of responsibility." When students are given the opportunities and responsibilities of decision making in a task that is interesting and important to them, they tend to think more deeply about the issues at hand and "use their most complex thinking skills" (Hedin 1989) to solve the problem.