Volunteering and other good deeds reduce physical pain, a study finds

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN
December 30, 2019

(CNN) We’ve long been taught that helping others helps ourselves. As Charles Dickens wrote, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

And science has shown that altruistic behaviors — defined as putting the well-being of others before our own without expecting anything in return — actually do improve our health.

Volunteering, for example, has been shown to minimize stress and improve depression. It can reduce the risk for cognitive impairment. It can even help us live longer.

It also appears that giving can help us cope with pain. A 2017 study found chronic pain sufferers who volunteered reported decreased pain along with an improved sense of purpose.

The most generous state in America

A new series of studies may have found one reason why: regions of the brain that react to painful stimulation appear to be instantly deactivated by the experience of giving.

“Whereas most of the previous theories and research have emphasized the long-term and indirect benefits for altruistic individuals, the present research demonstrated that participants under conditions of pain benefited from altruistic acts instantly,” the study authors wrote.

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5 Nonprofit Trends to Capitalize on in 2020

Are you capitalizing on these nonprofit trends for 2020?

We live in a fast-paced world, information travels in the blink of an eye. This is also true for trends in the nonprofit and marketing world. Staying up to date is extremely important when wanting to capitalize on what’s new. 2020 may be right around the corner but there is still time to put trending strategies in place. Make sure you capitalize on these nonprofit trends in 2020:

Personalize Your Marketing Effort

Storytelling is extremely important when connecting with your supporters. What is equally important is making your supporters feel like they are building a personal relationship with your organization. Your digital footprint may be the first interaction you have with your supporters. You want to make sure you are making a lasting impression.

By incorporating storytelling and personalizing your social media efforts, it will allow your supporters to feel closer to your cause. They will feel as though by associating with your mission they are making a direct contribution to your nonprofit.

Use Technology to Increase Efficiency and Effectiveness

Does your nonprofit embrace technology? There are endless benefits of the technology revolution. 2.1 billion people worldwide are smartphone users. This means that this is a great opportunity for your nonprofit to capitalize on.

Everything from fundraising efforts to volunteer management is online. Using automation to enhance your everyday processes not only increases efficiency but frees up time for you to focus on other aspects of your organization.

Seek Innovation and New Ideas from Staff and Supporters

Change is hard. However, change is necessary in order to stay at the forefront of nonprofit trends. If you want to grow your mission, your organization will have to consistently generate new ideas. Get creative and brainstorm. There are countless opportunities to create systems and think of new ways of doing things.

Creativity can yield results that may exceed your expectations. Empower your staff and supporters to give feedback as well as share ideas that could accelerate your impact.

Focus on Retention vs. Acquisition

Having a lot of donors and volunteers can be beneficial, however; having superstar volunteers and donors may have a larger impact on your mission. Building loyalty with your current supporters can also save your organization money.

You have already captured their attention now work on building stronger relationships with them and show them the effect they are having on your nonprofit.

Reward, Recognize and Inspire Your Volunteers

Building relationships with your volunteers isn’t the only way to increase volunteer retention. Why not try rewarding, recognizing, and inspiring your volunteers. This is a great way to show your volunteers you value their time and commitment to your organization.

There are many ways to reward and spotlight your volunteers. This will also inspire them to do more and be more involved with your organization. They will be encouraged by observing how their efforts directly affect your cause.

Staying ahead of trends can be extremely valuable for the growth of your organization. You want the opportunity to do everything you can to build brand awareness and recruit more supporters. Making sure you are staying up to date on the latest nonprofit news and networking with people in your industry can ensure you are staying at the forefront of nonprofit trends.

https://www.volunteerhub.com/blog/nonprofit-trends-2020/

Summer of DIY (Do It Yourself) Volunteering

Helpline Center Volunteer Connections is excited to launch the Summer of DIY (Do It Yourself). Each week throughout the summer, Helpline Center Volunteer Connections program will post on its social media pages and share in its weekly email, a do-it-yourself volunteer project. All projects are family friendly and designed to benefit local non-profits.

Summer of DIY is one of the Helpline Center’s Volunteer Sioux Falls events. The Helpline Center leads community-wide volunteer events, called Volunteer Sioux Falls, three times a year to encouraging individuals, families, churches, civic groups and companies to get involved in volunteering. Sponsors include: Sanford Health, CAPITAL Card Services, POET, Avera, Kouri Insurance, and A&B Business Solutions.

Helpline Center invites individuals and families to choose projects that interest them. Once completed, the projects can be delivered to the Helpline Center offices in Sioux Falls, Brookings, or Rapid City. Helpline Center staff will deliver the projects to the appropriate non-profits. If individuals or families would prefer to deliver the completed projects themselves, they can contact the Helpline Center by dialing 211 to get a list of agencies accepting the DIY projects.

For a list of projects, go to: http://www.helplinecenter.org/diyvolunteer/

National Volunteer Week

April 7-13, 2019

National Volunteer Week, powered by Points of Light, is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to come together to tackle tough challenges, and build stronger, more resilient communities. Each year, we shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities.

 

Celebrate Service

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. Plan or attend an event to celebrate the impact of volunteers in your community, and inspire others to serve.

• The theme for National Volunteer Week is Celebrate Service – an opportunity to shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve. Volunteerism empowers individuals to find their purpose, to take their passion and turn it into meaningful change.
• National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about in their community and around the world. Their stories serve to inspire others to take action and discover their collective power to unite in making a difference.
• National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate the impact of volunteer service on our communities. The local events, volunteer projects and social media conversations that take place during this week demonstrate that service unites – bringing people together to tackle society’s tough challenges, spark change, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
• National Volunteer Week kicks off on April 15, 2018, with Good Deeds Day, global day of service that unites people from more than 100 countries to do good deeds for the benefit of others and the planet. Good Deeds Day is an opportunity to start National Volunteer Week by coming together with friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to do good in your community.
• National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. This signature week is about honoring the impact of volunteers in our communities, and inspiring others to serve.

http://www.pointsoflight.org/

Volunteer Management Advocate Susan J. Ellis Dies

February 25, 2019       NPT Staff

Susan J. Ellis, the globetrotting evangelist for volunteers and volunteer management, died Sunday. She had battled cancer for more than eight years.

Ellis, 70, was founder of Energize, Inc., the internationally known consultancy for volunteer management. Along with lecturing and teaching around the world, she authored or was involved with at least 23 books on the topic. Ellis also was a contributing editor to The NonProfit Times from 1990 to 2015. Her final of more than 100 columns ran in October 2015, a few years after her cancer was diagnosed.

“Susan just always made me smile,” said NPT Editor-in-Chief Paul Clolery. “She also took me to school on volunteer management. She was fearless, always challenging leaders at national organizations like Points of Light and the Corporation on National and Community Service on why they were missing trends that were occurring in volunteer management. She made them nuts, but of course, she was correct.”

Those opinions often became legend. “She had an opinion on everything, and would happily discuss it with anyone for any length of time. But as much as she loved to argue and loved debating vigorously on just about any subject, she was one of the few people who would totally reverse her opinion if you convinced her she was wrong,” said Steve McCurley, a friend and colleague of Ellis’ for more than 40 years. “As much as she loved arguing, she loved truth even more, and devoted her life to it. That’s the person I will miss the most.”

The only child of Holocaust survivors Ernst and Anne Ellis, she grew up in Irvington, N.J. She said she knew why fellow former Irvington resident Jerry Lewis started working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association but pledged to also keep the secret.

Ellis graduated Temple University in Philadelphia in 1969 with a bachelor of arts degree in English. She received a master’s degree in folklore and folk life in 1971 from the University of Pennsylvania. She was the former director of special services at Philadelphia Family Court and then founded the Philadelphia-based Energize, Inc., in 1977.

“One of the reasons volunteer management is even on the radar is because of trailblazers like Susan,” said Sheri Wilensky Burke, a Philadelphia-based volunteer management and training consultant who began working with Everyone Ready and Energize in 2015.

The firm developed clients in 48 states and five Canadian provinces, eight countries in Europe, three nations in Asia, Australia and nations in Latin America. From 1981 to 1987 she was editor-in-chief of The Journal of Volunteer Administration.

“My clients and I were instructed by and inspired by her for decades. She was the unquestioned number one nonprofit volunteer expert,” said Michael Wyland, nonprofit management consultant and partner in Sumption & Wyland in Sioux Falls, S.D. “The mere mention of her name was identified with her work. Just her name calls to mind passionate, knowledgeable, and indefatigable expertise. She left our sector a better, more informed, and enriched space.”

Ellis was the recipient of the Association for Volunteer Administration’s 1989 Harriet Naylor Distinguished Member Service Award and was an active volunteer in a variety of volunteerism associations and was treasurer of the board of the New Society Educational Foundation.

According to the staff at Energize, her last email to her support team was sent on January 24 at 8:16 p.m., which read: “One day at a time. Smiles as often as possible. Love to you all!!! XOXO Susan.”

She left a bequest to establish the Susan J. Ellis Foundation to “provide grants or support programs that will expand volunteer administration and support education and research activities in volunteerism.” Her idea was to “fund seed grants that will improve the position of director of volunteers; education projects to widen understanding of the history and foundations of volunteerism and research that supports volunteer management work.”

For those who would like to honor Ellis or support the foundation’s mission, donations can be made to the “Susan J. Ellis Foundation” and sent to Energize, Inc., 5450 Wissahickon Ave.,  #C-13, Philadelphia, Pa., 19144.

Private graveside services are planned for 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, at the Beth Israel Cemetery, U.S. Highway 1, North Woodbridge, N.J. Friends and colleagues are planning a private memorial service at the Ellis home at a later date.

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/people/volunteer-management-advocate-susan-j-ellis-dies/

Volunteer Virtually

Find the perfect fit, anywhere in the world

Volunteers today come in many forms. Most people imagine an in-person volunteer working in a community—whether cleaning up a park, holding a clothing drive or bringing a meal to a nursing home. But giving your time to a good cause can include more than being physically on site—and in an increasingly digital world, being “in person” isn’t required.

Don’t have a car or a ride to get to the volunteering site? Can’t snag a sitter for young ones at home? Create the Good’s got you covered, helping you help others and your community right from your own home.

Every day, volunteers across the country lend a hand virtually, from computers, tablets, phones and other mobile devices. All you need is Internet access—and sometimes, just a phone.

What’s your niche?

First, think about what it is that you can offer others. Can you provide that skill across the web? The way your talents translate virtually may surprise you.

For example, do you know how to build or update a website? Are you fluent in the language of computer coding or programming? Lend your skills to a nonprofit, effort or charity doing work you believe in. Organizations such as InterConnection.org can help you put your technology or computer skills to use for nonprofits and NGOs.

Are you a grammar whiz or love to write? Foundations and nonprofits are always trying to get the word out about their mission and their work. Offer to help with outreach to potential donors, fundraising or grant writing and editing. Or help the organization keep a blog or social media feeds updated.

The list goes on! Who are you?

• A good listener? Offer you ear and emotional support by staffing a crisis hotline.
• An attorney? Offer to give free legal advice to NGOs.
• A teacher? Depending on your instructional area, teach education courses online, create curricula, mentor a young person via Skype or give free webinars.
• Fluent in another language? There are many groups worldwide that could use help with translations—and individuals and staff who could benefit from language training.
• An administrative guru? You can do many admin tasks from your own computer, like answering emails, for understaffed nonprofits.
• A research savvy scholar? Help with analysis, data entry, research or database maintenance or construction.

Consider your passion

Once you have a good feel for what it is you can offer, ask yourself what you’re most passionate about—and then what organizations can benefit most from your skills. What’s convenient about being a virtual volunteer is every organization across the world is at your fingertips. No matter your abilities, you’re bound to find one with the mission—and needs—perfectly suited for you.

How do you find the perfect virtual fit? If you don’t have an organization already in mind, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities at https://volunteer.helplinecenter.org.

Full article found at: http://createthegood.org/articles/virtualvolunteering

9 Fantastic Reasons to Volunteer During the Holidays

When the holiday season rolls around, many of us cherish the time we get to spend with our loved ones. During this time, however, it’s also easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the season. Hectic travel schedules and frenzied last-minute shopping can make the holidays more stressful than they need to be. So instead of getting caught up in what gifts to buy, spend some time thinking about how you can give back to those who may be less fortunate. After all, giving back is the best way to spread holiday cheer.

There are countless opportunities to volunteer and lend a helping hand during the holidays, but part of volunteering is understanding why you should help others. Here are nine fantastic reasons to volunteer this holiday season.

Please keep in mind, however, that because the holidays are such a popular time to volunteer, many nonprofits already have shifts filled for the holidays. And nonprofits need just as much help throughout the year as they do at the end of the year. So even if you can’t find the perfect chance to give back during the holidays, there’s still plenty you can do to help out in the new year.

1. You Have More Time

Most people are off work or home from school during the holidays, so this makes it even easier to find some time to help those in need during the holidays or in the new year. Throughout the year, we can easily get caught up in our day-to-day responsibilities, and it can be hard to carve out the time needed to volunteer.

You never know, if you enjoy your volunteering experience (and you most likely will), you’ll be more liable to seek out service opportunities down the road.

2. You Can Give Someone (or a Family) a Warm Meal

Most of us overindulge during the holidays. We spend time cooking too much food, fill our plates with huge portions, go back for seconds and dessert, and end up feeling too full to move. Instead of spending your entire day preparing food (if you already have more than enough to go around), why not offer your time and service at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or donate food to those in need? You can do your part to ensure underprivileged members of your community get a nice, warm meal.

Think about the families you can help. When you see the smiles on their faces, you’ll know how much they appreciate your time. You’ll have a more fulfilling holiday, and you’ll still have a chance to go home and enjoy your family feast.

3. Volunteering Spreads Holiday Cheer

Donating food, cooking, serving a meal aren’t the only ways to help those in need this holiday season. While many of us may get stressed out about family gatherings, think of the individuals who don’t have their family near to spend time with.

You can volunteer to help veterans in your community, get involved with a hospital that puts on a holiday celebration for patients, volunteer at a retirement home, and so much more.

4. You Can Lead by Example

With so many family members around during the holidays, why not set a good example for the little ones (or even the stubborn adults)? Lead by example: share your plans to volunteer and explain why you want to be of service. Then encourage your family to register for kid and teen-friendly volunteer opportunities in your area.

Help your family, especially the younger members, understand some of the benefits of volunteering.

5. Make it a Family Affair

Besides just explaining the benefits of volunteering to your family, get everyone involved! It’s quality time you can spend together, or a distraction if you need one since you’ll be preoccupied with helping others.

Volunteering is an excellent way to spend time with family and make a difference. According to Nancy Mann Jackson from Parenthood, “For today’s families who rarely have time to spend together — much less, the time to add another commitment to the schedule — volunteering can actually be a solution.”

Getting involved in your children’s classroom activities is another great way to give back, and you can do this any time of the year. Offer to volunteer as a chaperone on school field trips, for example. It’s a great opportunity to spend quality family time and check out new places.

6. You’ll Get Back Just as Much as You Give

Volunteering is not working for free. Sure, there’s no monetary compensation, but you get just as much (if not more) out of it than you put in. You gain countless benefits from volunteering including health benefits such as a boost in your mood, happiness, and satisfaction. According to these facts on kindness, “Performing good deeds for others, even in as little as a 10-day span, has been reported to boost happiness and life satisfaction.”

7. You Can Try Something New

Because of all the different volunteer opportunities available to you during the holidays — like teaching, building, crafting and more — you have the chance to try something new or something you never thought of trying before. Who knows, you might even discover a new hobby or passion, or you may stumble upon a hidden talent!

8. Volunteering Builds Personal Relationships

Volunteering is one of the best ways to connect with your community, make new friends, and boost your social skills, which is important for both adults and children.

When you help people in need, you create a special bond with them, and you also build strong relationships with the people you volunteer alongside. Your fellow volunteers may be people outside of your social bubble; people you may not interact with under normal circumstances. Volunteer groups bring like-minded individuals together for a good cause and create avenues to develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships.

9. It Helps You Appreciate What You Have

Helping someone in need can put things into perspective. It’s an eye-opening experience that helps us count our blessings and realize the things we should be grateful for. Volunteering can help you adopt this attitude of gratitude.

There are so many different ways to give. Remember, although we encourage volunteering during the holidays, it’s important for nonprofits to have volunteers year-round. Have a safe and healthy holiday season, and have fun giving back!

For a list of volunteer opportunities in your community go to: https://volunteer.helplinecenter.org/

Article can be found at: https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2016/12/13/9-fantastic-reasons-to-volunteer-during-the-holidays/

Happy International Volunteer Managers Day

 

• International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay) was founded and observed for the first time in 1999. The push for IVMDay was led by American Nan Hawthorn who helped form a committee to explore a day recognizing the work of Volunteer Managers. IVMDay was developed in order to bring recognition to individual Managers of Volunteers and their roles in the mobilization and support of the world’s volunteers.
• Up until 2005, IVMDay shared its day of celebration with International Volunteers Day on December 5.
• In 2006, the IVMDay International Supporters Group was formed. This group of key leaders and organizations from around the world are helping to spread the word about IVMDay.
• IVMDay moved to its own day in 2006 and was celebrated initially on November 1 (a clash with key dates in Europe saw a final shift to the day’s current date of November 5 in 2008).

For more information on International Volunteer Managers Day go to: http://volunteermanagersday.org

 

Holiday Guides

The 2018 Holiday Guides are now available! www.helplinecenter.org/holidayguides

Each year the Helpline Center creates Holiday Guides for those who need help and those who want to help during the holiday season. Separate Guides are available for those who are in need of assistance, wish to volunteer, give items to nonprofits, or attend special events that support local organizations.

How To Volunteer As A Senior

Adapted from an article found at: http://www.aginginplace.org/how-to-volunteer-as-a-senior/

Ramona Griego, an 81-year-old retiree, had recently lost her husband and her diabetes wasn’t getting any better. She soon developed depression and was looking for a way to improve her situation. After looking at different available options, Griego soon turned to volunteering. According to the AARP this was an excellent solution.

With the help of the Corporation for National and Community Service, she got involved with her community after visiting a senior center and started helping people her own age stay active and engaged. She said, “The program has allowed me to enjoy my life as I age, and I feel important when I can help people with small things that allow them to remain in their homes.”

Volunteering truly gave Griego a new life. This is a common story for hundreds of thousands of elderly people.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) matches adults 55 and over with volunteer opportunities, utilizing their talents, expertise, and life-long experiences to address critical community needs.

Volunteer Opportunities
Helpline RSVP assists residents of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and Union Counties in South Dakota finding meaningful volunteer placements. When you volunteer, you’re not just helping others, you’re helping yourself. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends. Plus, studies show that volunteering helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life.

Helpline RSVP supports senior volunteer activities in areas including youth mentoring, food distribution, food delivery, and transportation. RSVP is part of Senior Corps, which is a program of the Corporation for National and community Service, an independent federal agency that promotes community service.

Join RSVP
Members of RSVP receive benefits such as, volunteer recognition and support events throughout the year for their service to the community.  Supplementary accident and liability insurance is provided at no cost. For more information go to http://www.helplinecenter.org/rsvp

Contact us
Contact Jessica Schulte, RSVP Coordinator at (605) 274-1420 or rsvp@helplinecenter.org to learn more, or if you’d like to sign up as a RSVP Volunteer.

Adapted from an article found at: http://www.aginginplace.org/how-to-volunteer-as-a-senior/