Volunteerism

Service to the
community is the
heart and soul of the
National Service
Training Program
. NSTP students should not
only be aware of the issues
that confront the society today
especially that of the
community where they belong.
They should be conscious
enough to contribute in their
own little way to remedy the
said social concern.
In 1980’s, Ivan Scheier, a noted
expert in volunteerism,

defined volunteerism with four

(4) key elements:

1. The activity is relatively un-

coerced;

2. The activity is intended to

help;

3. The activity is done without

primary or immediate thought
of financial gain; and

4. The activity is work, not play.

In the Philippines, Republic Act 9418 or The Volunteer Act of
2007 provides this definition of volunteerism which is
formulated in consideration of universal tenets as well as the
Philippine perspective and experience in volunteer service

“ An act involving a wide range of activities including traditional forms of

mutual aid and development interventions that provide an enabling and
empowering environment both on the part of the beneficiary receiving,
and the volunteers rendering the act of undertaken for reason arising
from socio-develop mental business or corporate orientation, commitment
or conviction for the attainment of the public good ans where monetary
and other incentives or rewards are not the primary factors (from RA 9418
on the Volunteers Act 2007”
Both definitions, sums up to three key
principles of volunteerism , which are:

1. free will- meaning the volunteer

was not forced to engage in the
activity

2. no financial gain – people

involved in the activity does expect to
be financially compensated; and

3. benefit to others- activity intended

to help others
Volunteer, Defined

Volunteer refers to an individual or group who for

reasons arising from their socio developmental,
business and corporate orientation, commitment or
conviction, contribute time, service and resources
whether on full-time or part time basis to a just and
essential social development cause, mission or
endeavor in the belief that their activity is mutually
meaningful and beneficial to public interest as well as
to themselves. (From RA 9418 or The Volunteer Act of
2007).
Reasons to Volunteer Some of the factors that motivates
people to volunteer include:

1. To share and to help - People want to give back to society

especially those who are in need while others want to make difference
and touch other people’s lives.
2. To be part of or to belong to society - Volunteers want to want to be
part of a group, community or the society and feel valued.
3. To learn - Volunteering is not a one-way process, volunteers, do not
only give but also expect to learn from the interaction in terms of skills,
experience or knowledge as well as new friends and partners.