Cool Volunteering Again

Why Fewer People Volunteer These Days...And Tips On Some Great Volunteer Opportunities For You

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Now that I'm only working part-time I have some free time during the week and have been thinking about volunteering somewhere. However, sadly, it seems that volunteering is just not the thing to do anymore! People look at me like I'm crazy and ask why I'd want to volunteer when I could get another paying job. Why do so few people volunteer these days? How can the media help make volunteering cool again? Also, do you have any ideas for volunteer opportunities that might be right for me?

Sincerely,

Voracious Volunteer

Dear Voracious Volunteer,

A new nationwide report shows volunteerism in America has dipped recently, primarily because more than one-third of volunteers in 2005 dropped from the ranks in 2006. Officials say this is a wakeup call to cities and communities to learn how to attract, sustain and nurture more volunteers from one year to next. How is this done?

Volunteerism has to be sold as an attractive asset. Whether it's character building, a good value, sexy, celebrity-like, or required (yes, some public schools require students to complete community service hours as a graduation requirement), volunteerism has to be re-sold.

Why the downward trend?

People do what feels good, and if volunteering doesn't feel good -- or doesn't feel as good as shopping or working or watching television, people just won't do it. The challenge to cities is to make volunteering hip and attractive in order to draw volunteers.

How do you reverse the trend?

Re-sell the concept.

What should journalists be asking and saying about all this?

Volunteering is a great way to meet give of your heart -- and to nourish your heart! What am I talking about? Volunteering is a great way to meet romantic partners -- but where you volunteer will determine whom you hook up with.

There are so many opportunities to volunteer that it is important to choose one that is right for what you want to do -- something good and something good for you! Here are some tips and advice on choosing your volunteer opportunity to make the most of your service and your time.

1. Hospitals. Volunteering in hospitals is a great way to meet doctors, nurses and medical staff people. But don't let that stop you from meeting the single uncles and aunts who come to visit their new baby nieces and nephews in maternity! The hospital cafeteria is a great place to take a break and brake for hotties.
2. Trips. Volunteer trips are often expensive -- some costing thousands of dollars for each volunteer who wants to go to a foreign country and help out. But it also weeds out those volunteers who are less committed, and will assure you of meeting someone with a strong commitment and enough of a bankbook to be able to swing a trip like this -- if that's important to you.
3. Tailor your volunteer experience to your religious group or particular political passion. Volunteering for the Republican, Democratic or Green party will hook you up with other singles that have the same political bents. Volunteering with church, synagogue or mosque organizations will immediately hook you up with lots of volunteers who belong to or support the religious group for which they're volunteering.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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