by M. Sparga

Created on: March 21, 2007   Last Updated: April 29, 2009

It takes more than just good intentions to be a successful volunteer. The most effective volunteers have a strong sense of dedication and purpose. They are the sort of people who will give their time and energy to a cause without expecting a monetary reward, but of course this generosity could fizzle without dedication to drive them. They know how to persevere while inspiring others to do the same.

Open-Mindedness

An interest in volunteering often goes hand-in-hand with open-mindedness, and from there the interest can grow into a true passion. After all, you never know what sorts of organizations, projects, or individuals will need your help and talents. Volunteering is a great way for people to broaden their horizons, pick up some new skills, and get outside of their comfort zone. Many volunteers interact with individuals vastly different from themselves, so it helps for them to go in with an open mind to learn about how someone else views the world.

Dedication

People who volunteer regularly will inevitably face challenges such as bad days, difficult people, or frustrating projects. But if they are able to remind themselves of their passion for the cause, they will continue to put in the effort. Volunteering often resembles working in a paying job, complete with all the ups and downs, but without many of the material perks. It's a rewarding experience, to be sure, but volunteers need dedication to drive them to show up for each project and see it through to completion. Without dedication, their good intentions never bring about any actual change.

Infectious Generosity

The most effective volunteers are able to spread their passion and instill their dedication in others around them. They can communicate the importance of their volunteerism just through their attitude. This characteristic is especially crucial for volunteers who act as representatives for their organization. They are the public face of their cause. They are role models and, hopefully, inspirations to other would-be volunteers. In fact, they may be helping out their cause while they're not even technically on volunteer duty.

Open-Mindedness is what spurs many volunteers to get started, dedication is what keeps them active and effective, and inspiring others is what helps perpetuate and spread community service. All volunteers are to be commended, but the most effective ones are those who know how to couple dedication with their inherently giving spirit while gently inspiring others to do the same.

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