Volunteering And Being Part Of A Team
Not for profit charities all have one thing in common. Whilst they differ on what cause they are affiliated with, what size they run at, their aspirations and goals, there is one absolute certainty; volunteers.
It is unquestionable that volunteers are what makes NFP's tick. Their importance is priceless and all non-profits need them. In fact, we here at Furever Farm prefer to call volunteers "team members". Why? We feel the term volunteer is too underrated. It is a worthwhile but exceptionally common phrase. It holds its merits, there is only one meaning from it but it is sterile. There is no reference to inclusion in the term, no warmth if you will. It describes oneself as much as a job title or career. It doesn't describe the person and their value. Here we feel that one is part of a big valuable team and all holds individual importance and worth. To volunteer at Furever Farm is to be part of the actual institution. Our team members are every bit as important as a paid staff member in a business.
But, for the purpose of this blog, we will use the generic term as we discuss the potency of its meaning.
Above we described a volunteer as being one cog in what makes an NFP tick. To be truly in sync with a volunteer, it helps if one has come from a volunteering background. We'll go one step further than that, if one is volunteering in one's own establishment. That's right, not all NFP's are run by paid directors or paid staff. For some, it is the complete opposite. Like us here at Furever Farm, a volunteer-run organisation from the top down. The founders and owners do not draw any wage from what they do, there is no full time or part-time earnings aside from the joy of what they undertake. The morals, belief, workload, strategy, planning, execution and goal is done for the love of it and the understanding of its requirement. This is not to say that a corporation such as this cannot get so large that it simply needs to endorse paid staff, but if that ever happens it is important to keep it to a minimum and have a good eye that everyone is doing things for the right reason. Remember, every dollar spent on a wage is one less dollar making it to those that matter; the animals.
So, in running an establishment such as a sanctuary you need to build up a good team and good support. We spoke briefly of having a 'volunteer' team, people with as much passion as you that will go the extra mile for the animals. A group of people who are dedicated to the care of the voiceless, enough to drive a distance once or twice a week, jump on rakes or tools once here, feel the heat with you. But in conjunction with that, these same people are experiencing the good, not the great. They are meeting the animals, hearing their stories, really getting to know them, touching them, cuddling them, feed them and love them. Thier desire to help those in need is fulfilled to a genuine positive.
Aside from the ground crew, we must remember that this is a non-profit. In search of the unfortunate thing that pays the bills, funds, we must have people around us whose sole interest is raising funds and donations. A fundraising team equipped with go getters who will do what it takes to raise the elusive funds required to assist the animals in all their daily needs and requirements. Whilst it is generally not a dirty task, it is a difficult one as all non-profits are chasing the same thing. Uncomfortable dealings with chasing donations and digging in deep to organise events. It can be frustrating, seeing events one has arranged cancelled due to situations out of your control. But, as with others, these volunteers keep going because of belief. They know they are helping the animals by what they strive for.
There are equally important splinter members too. Those who would have every right to ask for payment for a specialised service that you are asking them to donate. Some you will find are happy to do so, in fact beating you to the punch and offering their services as a way of giving to a cause they too believe in. We're talking photographers and videographers and IT or web experts such as the one putting this blog into cyberspace; Hilltop Digital Agency. All these ever so important things that are usually out of reach are only made possible by volunteers. All are integral parts of making an NFP known, stand out and evolve to raise funds to keep animals alive.
But aside from fulfilling a need to help a cause you are passionate about, what else does volunteering offer? We mean, time is your own, you could be doing anything rather than giving yourself to others, working hard for absolutely no pay. Volunteering can give one everything that a paid job cannot. It can help you make new friends or meet like-minded people, can see you try and learn new skills and knowledge, aid in advancing a career by experience gained. But, above all else, volunteering can make you feel happier and healthier. Volunteering can help protect your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress and anxiety, combat depression, stimulate the mind and provide a sense of purpose.
Imagine finding a group of people all in one place that holds a lot of your core values at heart. For those who may find it difficult to socialise, volunteering offers a low impact way to improve your social skills. Many a shy volunteer have raised the bar on their own social confidence, opening up and branching out making new friends. For those naturally on the shy side, volunteering grants patience to develop your social skills and is proven to give people more confidence in themselves that they can take into further life.
Psychologically, volunteering is marvellous. For instance, those with a love and care for animals' benefit in ways that cannot be described. Working with or around animals has been proven to lift mood whilst reducing stress and anxiety. Those who have a profound love for animals often suffer as a result of knowing the world’s injustice towards them. Depression is a common factor and becoming part of a volunteer team is undeniable in its success in aiding levels of depression. It can give those in need a genuine sense of purpose. Older adults who have retired or lost a spouse, but age is limitless as the young with special needs or problematic histories can claim the benefits on offer. With middle-aged or older volunteers, the physical health and fitness benefits can be life-changing. Did you know that studies have found those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those that don't? Are you "older" (age is just a number); then become part of a welcoming team.
Seriousness aside, albeit important, volunteering can bring fun and fulfilment to your life. It can renew creativity, motivation and vision that carries over into your personal life. Often people will seek a volunteer role that is the opposite of their everyday life or schedule. For instance, office workers most often seek to volunteer in outdoor activities. But, as with any volunteering role, it is important to trial your services first. Try out your placement to see if it is what you thought it to be before committing to long term, or regular, spots.
We here at Furever Farm believe it is important to do the following things before, or during, your volunteering;
Ask Questions: make sure that the experience is right for your skills, goals, time and comfort. Go in with any questions you may have for your organisation’s coordinator.
Make Sure You Know What Is Expected: you should be comfortable with your organisation and the time commitment. Don't overcommit yourself at first and give yourself some flexibility to change focus.
Don't Be Afraid To Make Change: don't force yourself, or feel compelled to stick with a role you don't like or are uncomfortable with. Speak to your organisation as they would rather know of your unrest. If an organisation can alter a focus, they would usually rather this than lose a good, valued team member.
Enjoy Yourself!: the best volunteer experiences benefit both the organisation and the volunteer. If you are not enjoying yourself, ask why? Is it the tasks? The people, or someone, you are working with? Are you uncomfortable with the new and unfamiliar situation? Are there parts of the job you find upsetting or too much to handle? Pinpointing what is bothering you can help you decide if, and how, to proceed. For those with the time and interest, science and medical science has proven that volunteering can be one of the greatest undertakings you could choose. Sometimes we procrastinate and put off what may very well be the finest decision we could make. Most of the time, those who take the plunge gain all we have talked about and more as their life is enriched in one way or another. Often the benefits are accumulative.
Having read the above, are you someone thinking of volunteering? If you have a genuine love and care for animals and simply wish to do all you can to help them live meaningful, happy lives; we can offer you the chance of the team member experience. You can join an established group of like-minded individuals performing various aspects within a growing farm animal sanctuary. We can offer you feeding, cleaning, animal care, socialisation, fundraising and stall manning, amongst others. At Furever Farm we truly appreciate our team and value their involvement immensely. We don't take anyone or anything for granted, as to do so undermines and core Australian value we have both experienced; volunteering. We also go out of our way to do right by our team to do right by the wonderful animals of which we are all here for.
You can send an application right here on our website.
Take that leap of faith and experience all the benefits along with the satisfaction of knowing you are helping the animals you so very clearly adore. We will be happy to hear from you.
Darren, Hayley & the Furever Farm Team.
