5 Things I Learned from Volunteering

For the last 10 years my mom has worked at a nursing home I’ve spent many hours volunteering there.  So often and regularly that different department leaders almost fight over me.  Most recently with the holiday stuff going on I felt like I needed to schedule time in each department to make them all happy!

I could try to tell you how many hours I’ve devoted to volunteering there, but I just don’t know how many exactly.  I’m supposed to keep track of these types of things for one of the organizations I’m involved in, but let’s be honest.  The procrastinator that I am just doesn’t bother to write it down.  Instead I’m trying to remember what days I went in, what I did and how long I was there mere minutes before I have to turn my report in before the meeting.  That’s beside the point: just know that it’s a lot of hours.

Here’s five things I learned from my volunteering experiences.  Though I volunteer in a nursing home, I think that these five things can definitely apply to other places/opportunities that I’ve had the chance to do over the years.

1.  To be completely honest.  I’m an honest person, but when it comes to admitting that I don’t know how to do something, or that I’ve forgotten something I tend to try to cover up like I do know it.  Being honest and saying “Hey, I don’t know but let me find someone who does.” Or, “I can’t remember what rooms I’m supposed to visit today.” It’s okay, I’m not expected to remember or know everything from the first day.

2.  It’s a job, sort of.  The way that I look at it, if you’re going to consistently volunteer somewhere, treat it like a job.  Show up when you say you’re going to, do every task you’re asked to do to the best of your ability and ask questions when needed.  Believe it or not, I have seen some volunteers get ‘fired’ before and I definitely don’t want that to happen to me.

3.  How to efficiently get office tasks completed.  My Ma works in the business office and I’ve done my fair share of clerical duties.  Some I’ve done so much and so often that I swear she saves them for me because I get them done so timely.  One of the number one things with efficiency I’ve learned is to find a set pattern and stick to it.

4.  Close toed shoes (and ones with good supports, now that I think about it) are a must.  It only takes a few beds being pushed over those toes in a tornado evacuation or a wheelchair to find your toes in a traffic jam in the hallway to make you cry.  Besides, you get into the kitchen with close toed shoes and in turn can sneak out with some snacks. Also, you never know what things you’ll be doing like pulling things out of storage.

5.  It’s okay to say no.  Like I mentioned at the beginning, I had people fighting over me for my help.  I struggle with saying no because I somehow guilt trip myself into doing it.  My body can only handle so much standing or so much walking a day.  Not to mention that I do have other obligations to do than volunteering.  It means well, but sometimes I just have to say no.

It's not much of a list, I know but these five things are definitely some of the key things I've taken away from the last ten years.  It's crazy to think that over these ten years I've learned how to become a better person in a workplace and I didn't even know it was happening!  But really folks, get a good pair of shoes to volunteer in wherever you are.  It will definitely help with the achy feet later!