Page 1 of 4

COLLEGE OF CRIMININAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

NSTP – CWTS 1

MODULE 12 – WEEK 9

Prepared by: ALBERT B. GALORA

Instructor

Checked by: ANGELO D. VILLANUEVA

NSTP Coordinator

Noted by: MARK P. CIANO, MSCRIM

Dean, Criminology Dept.

Approved by: JOSSETTE Y. PEREZ-DAES, RN

President
 Page 2 of 4

NSTP – CWTS 1
MODULE 12 - WEEK 9

Volunteerism
Volunteerism is the act, practice, or principle of contributing one’s time, talents, and
resources freely to worthwhile purposes without tangible compensation. It is considered the most
fundamental act in the society. It is geared toward good causes that help alleviate the suffering of
others. It promotes peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens.

Volunteerism can serve in various areas ranging from medical, environmental, and
educational support groups to child protection and human rights advocacies, poll or election work,
peacekeeping missions, and relief operations, to name a few.

Some people consider volunteerism a pastime; others see it as a vocation. Some

volunteers have high-paying jobs and stable careers; others are well known in their fields.
Volunteers could be teachers, doctors, lawyers, or celebrities. They could also be housewives,
students, or retirees.

Regardless of age, economic status, sex, and educational attainment, volunteers work
together toward a common cause for which they commit their time, know-how and expertise, and
sometimes even their own money.

However, one does not become a volunteer by simply raising his/her hand. A volunteer
has to undergo trainings and attend seminars for specific functions or tasks that he/she volunteers
for.

Moore (2002) describes a volunteer follows:

“A volunteer is a person who is a light to others, giving witness in a mixed-up age, doing
well and willingly the tasks at hand, namely, being aware of another’s need and doing something
about it.”

“A volunteer is a person who strives to make other people happy, who takes the loneliness
out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are unconcerned, who has the
courage to be a blessing and to say the things that have to be said for the good of all.”

“A volunteer is a person whose charity is fidelity, who is faithful in an unfaithful world,

grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all are grasping, listening when others need to talk
about their fears and problems.”

Volunteers are people from all walks of life, all ages and stages, having a common desire
to make a difference in their community and their own life by giving of their time and expertise.
For young people, volunteering brings a new sense of confidence and self-gratification. It is a
 Page 3 of 4

good way to interact in the “grown-up world”. It enables them to develop communication, career-
building, and social skills that will be useful in other facets of their lives.

Benefits of Volunteers

Volunteerism yields the following benefits:

1. Community development
2. Development of the skills of volunteers
3. Peace, solidarity, and trust among citizens
4. Career opportunities for volunteers
5. Friendship among citizens
6. Experience and self-esteem gained by volunteers

Values Expected of Volunteers

Here are some core values expected of volunteers:

1. Commitment. Volunteers are attached to, identified with, and involved in community
service.
2. Professionalism. Volunteers observe work ethics in performing their responsibilities
with socially and morally accepted behavior.
3. Creativity. Volunteers search constantly for new strategies and methods of doing a
task for improved results.
4. Unity. A volunteer supports teamwork to achieve the common goal.

Volunteer Opportunities

The 2001 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering, and Participating shares the following
questionnaire, the answers to which help determine what kind of volunteer opportunities will be
suited to the individual volunteer:

1. If you have all the human and financial resources in the world, what problem would
you solve, what would you change, and what would you create? Your answers will tell
you what matters the most to you.
2. What kind of time commitment are you willing to make? Are you looking for a
regular/weekly volunteer commitment or a short-term/one-time opportunity?
3. Would you like to volunteer with other people by yourself?
4. Would you like to volunteer from your own home or would you prefer to volunteer in
an organization?
5. If you would like to volunteer away from home, where is the best location for you –
near your home, your work, your child’s care center?
6. Do you have specific skills or talents that you should like to share with an organization?
7. Would you like to develop a specific skill?
8. What are your personal goals? Would you like to re-enter the workforce or meet new
people?

Potential volunteer opportunities are as follows:

A. Based on the interests of an individual.

1. If you like animals, you can help out at an animal shelter or the nearest zoo.
2. If you like working with kids, you can get involved at a day-care or preschool center
or help younger students with their schoolwork.
 Page 4 of 4

3. If you enjoy playing sports, you can play games with the kids at a nearby sports
complex or organize a mini-sports fest.
4. If you like to cook, you can get together with friends and teach moms or
housekeepers new recipes, the latest about food preparation and preservation,
and entrepreneurship opportunities in cooking.
5. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you can teach how to make curtains or bedspreads,
embroider pillowcases and towels, and make unique fashion accessories at a
women’s shelter, nursing home, or orphanage.
6. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can help organize a clean-up drive in your street or
park or help a neighbor plant flowers.
7. If you enjoy dancing, singing and acting, you can participate in your community’s
cultural show group.
8. If your grandparents have passed away or live far away and you do not get to see
them as often you want to, you can make friends with a senior citizen and adopt
him/her as your grandma or grandpa.
9. If you are interested in foreign culture, you can volunteer at a school that accepts
foreign students.
10. If you are concerned about people with disabilities, you can volunteer at an agency
or institution that care for people with physical or mental disabilities.

B. Based on the future career goal of an individual.

1. If you like to work in the medical field, you can volunteer at a community health
center or a government hospital or clinic.
2. If you are interested in teaching, you can volunteer at a public school.
3. If you are interested in science, you can volunteer at the local science museum or
zoo.
4. If you like to work in an office someday, you can volunteer at a non-profit
organization.

Community Service

Community service is identified by the higher educational institution (HEI) in consultation

with the local government, community-based organizations, and non-governmental organizations
as designed to improve the quality of life of community residents, particularly low-income
individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. Community service includes the
following:
1. First aid training or health care, preschool storytelling, social welfare, social services,
trauma counseling, group dynamics, crime prevention, recreation, street cleaning, and
community improvement
2. Serving in the youth corps as defined in the NSTP Act of 2001
3. Assisting students with disabilities
4. Tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities, and counseling, including
career counseling

Volunteer community-service can be rendered in government offices, private companies or in

any place where services may be needed. Volunteers can also work from their homes.

Reference: Human Person Gearing towards Social Development: NSTP-CWTS 1

Worktext for College Students, Second Edition
By: Herminigildo S. Villasoto, Noemi S. Villasoto