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[by Christine Lepisto] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by General Motors. At GM, we believe that there is more than one way to the future. That's why we're on many roads. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More than half of American adults -- and an even bigger percentage of teenagers – volunteer for various causes. In general, there is currently a trend toward “downshifting, and taking time out of their busy lives to provide unpaid service to others. Many of these people are taking their cue from the National Downshifting Manifesto, which proclaims that individuals are setting time aside for the things that are important to them “for the benefit of my health, my well being, my environment, and for those around me whom I dearly love. But finding the right match between volunteer and charity is not always an easy task. As was bemoaned in the TreeHugger Forums, a “waste of enthusiasm” can occur when environmental groups turn away willing participants. Why would they turn down free labor? Because high-profile organizations may be overwhelmed with offers; meanwhile, smaller groups could be struggling along with too few hands. Plus, special skills may be necessary, or time commitments could be too rigid. If you decide to extend yourself, look for an organization that gives you good vibes, that way, your interest level remains high and your motivation is optimized. Our best advice is to commit to something that interests you, and then apply the same principals to you volunteer and advocacy work you use to achieve success in your life and career. Finally, don’t forget that being a volunteer should be a learning experience. The biggest difference you make in the world may not be the two weeks you spend on a specific project, but the twenty or forty years thereafter. When your feelings of advocacy kick in -- manifesting themselves in the way you vote, your financial decisions, and your overall lifestyle – you’ll know you were influenced by what you saw and experienced during that time, and you’ll be ready to spread the word. You may not realize it, but you could be volunteering to become a green activist. (We mean that in a good way!) Keep reading for our top tips for getting started when it comes to green volunteering. |
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