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Why Do People Volunteer?

Why Do People Volunteer?. A Discussion With Volunteer Ombudsmen Presented at: NYS Long Term Care Ombudsman Conference 9/25/08 Jody Signoracci

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Why Do People Volunteer?

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  1. Why Do People Volunteer? A Discussion With Volunteer Ombudsmen Presented at: NYS Long Term Care Ombudsman Conference 9/25/08 Jody Signoracci Director of Constituency Services NYSOFA

  2. Why Are We Talking About This? • US Census Data shows volunteers age 65 and older will increase to 13 million by 2020 (an increase of 50% over the next 12 years) • Recognition that tapping into this pool plays vital role in fostering communities and addressing social problems -expertise, education, knowledge

  3. Volunteer Impact on Communities Volunteers positively impact communities by: 1.being involved in solving key challenges facing society*? 2.contributing to a stronger local economy*? 3.experiencing lower incidences of illness*? 4.creating a more healthy and vibrant place to live and work*? Volunteers are “Social Capital” *Retrieved from National and Community Service, 2007 City Trends and Rankings

  4. New York Taking Action • Governor Paterson has announced that increasing volunteerism is among top priorities of his administration • New York has been selected for the NGA Center for Best Practices “Policy Academy on Civic Engagement of Older Adults” (see handout) • Under leadership of NYSOFA- several state and local agencies will work together to increase civic engagement and volunteerism throughout NYS

  5. Why NYSOFA supports efforts to increase volunteerism? • Benefits are two-fold: 1. NYSOFA meets the needs of an aging population by exploring ways to keep them actively engaged in meaningful activities in their communities 2. NYSOFA enhances its ability to provide advocacy and supportive services to vulnerable seniors by increasing their pool of volunteers who are over the age of 60

  6. Benefits to Staying Actively Engaged Did you know that volunteers benefit from: 1.greater longevity*? - living longer healthier lives 2.higher functional ability*? -less physical and mental decline 3.lower rates of depression*? -less isolation and more connection with community 4.less incidence of heart disease*? - increased activity and helping others makes the heart stronger * Retrieved from National & Community Services, Volunteering Produces Health Benefits2007

  7. What Ombudsman Volunteers are Contributing • In 2007, more than 1,000 Ombudsmen visited LTC facilities providing advocacy, education and problem resolution • In 2007, volunteers donated approximately 98,929 hours of time to Ombudsman work • In 2007, volunteers addressed approximately 18,428 complaint related issues -taken from Annual LTCOP Report 2007

  8. Topics for Discussion Today • What motivates someone to volunteer? And conversely, what are major obstacles to getting someone to volunteer? • What type of education and outreach efforts are most successful in reaching potential volunteers? What caught your attention? • What type of supports must be in place to retain volunteers? • What do Ombudsmen volunteers like most about being Ombudsman?

  9. Topics for Discussion (Continued) • What is most challenging about being an Ombudsman volunteer? • What types of incentives could be offered to volunteers to make volunteering more rewarding (monetary and otherwise)? • How much does the current economy effect your commitment to your volunteer role? • How long of a commitment did you expect to make to volunteering, and have you exceeded that commitment (or will you?) Why or why not? • Other?

  10. Why Do You Volunteer? I can make a difference: • Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.   Margaret Mead It is my civil duty: • Never before has man had such a great capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world.President John F. Kennedy

  11. Why Do You Volunteer? For Personal Growth: • Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.Dr. Dorothy I. Height, president and CEO of the NCNW It is my spiritual duty: • Service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth.Mohammed Ali

  12. Why Do You Volunteer? It’s the right thing to do: • Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.    Erma Bombeck It gives me purpose: • When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.    Eleanor Roosevelt

  13. Regardless of your reason: Thanks to you for all you do!

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