by C.V.Rajan

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

Volunteering can be seen from two points of view - the spiritual and the worldly. From a spiritual point of view, we all know that selfishness is a bad quality and all of us have that quality to some degree or another. Great religious masters have prescribed volunteer work as a way to wash the sin of selfishness that lies within us.

From a spiritual point of view, any act of unselfish help that we extend to others purifies our souls and elevates us spiritually. By volunteering earnestly and humbly, without boasting about it, getting proud of it or even expecting a word of appreciation from others, our ego, which is the greatest troublemaker in our spiritual progress, is subdued. We take a few steps closer to God in this process. For a believer in God, this "becoming closer to God" is one of the greatest payoffs of humble and unselfish volunteering.

On the other hand, volunteering from a worldly point of view cannot be termed as purely unselfish. Though our ego may not admit it, if we are honest enough to probe deep into our hearts, there will always be a reason well camouflaged, not easy to readily identify, that goads us to do volunteering. This "worldly motive behind volunteering" can exist even in an act of religious charity.

When we are honest enough to acknowledge it, the question "how volunteering eventually pays off" can be answered more comfortably without a sense of guilt! Here are some payoffs that come through volunteering:

Free Advertisement

Many commercial firms do sponsoring of cultural festivals, temple/ church activities, charitable activities etc. by voluntarily donating money, materials, manpower etc. The organizers, even if they are religious, make sure that the volunteer gets adequate free advertisement in the bargain. Permitting display of banners ("Sponsored by so-and-so firm"), expressing thanks through their announcements, giving "free" ads in the souvenirs - there are several ways through which the organizers give advertisement to the volunteers.

In the case of individuals, the "advertisement" can come in the form of badges, photos in the publications, award of titles etc.

Contacts

Businessmen actively participate in Lion's clubs, Rotary Clubs, etc. by joining as members and by volunteering services or by donating money for charitable causes. These clubs act as centers of hubs for businessmen to interact with other businessmen and in the process, they develop good contacts to enhance their businesses.

Experience

Even in religious activities or philanthropic activities, there are managerial functions like planning, organizing, delegating and controlling involved. When students take part in volunteer service, they get exposed to working in teams and to the various managerial functions and gain experience in them.

Ego satisfaction

Many people who have expertise, knowledge or skill in some specific areas tend to be proud about it and they experience an ego satisfaction when they can share it with the needy, without expecting something in return. Their pride gets a boost in this process.

Even the most unskilled and untalented person in this world wants recognition, a word of appreciation and a sense of acceptance in a group. Such people, by volunteering, get an ego satisfaction, a sense of self-worth and the happiness of giving back something to the society at their own capacity.

For many people, this ego satisfaction by itself is a great payoff, far more valuable than any monetary compensation.

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