Why do people volunteer?

I was thinking the other night why do people volunteer?

 

Is it purely for altruistic reasons or for more personal self-gratification, or a little from column A and a little from column B?

 

Do people regularly volunteer their time just to help others or to feel good about themselves? It is a question some of us have pondered over time which came to a head for me over a few wines at dinner a few nights ago. With the increase in Generation X and Y volunteers I think a new mindset should be thought out in order to attract and retain them. This change in mindset could translate to new advertising direction and/or possibly teaching the current volunteers to be more open minded. I’ve noticed this amongst some of the “older” volunteers who believe volunteers should have purely altruistic intentions, although some are even willing to entertain the idea of self-gratification virtues. As many people think Gen X and Y’ers are more selfish maybe the big volunteer organisations need to address this? I know this is a mass generalisation but it does hold some water.

 

Or is it the mere fact of helping others self-gratification enough?

 

I’m not here to criticize people’s motives but merely to highlight people’s motivations for volunteering which might be different to the generalised norm.

 

Of course whether or not it is for altruistic or more personal reasons I’m sure all of the volunteering organisations are grateful for the additional people. If people feel the desire to help their community and other people then all is good in the world :-)

 

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