Aspiring Social Entrepreneur | Proactive Volunteer
I’d like to think of the 60+ hours a week I volunteer as the work of an aspiring social entrepreneur, having labeled myself as such is rather vain of me when really I’m just a very proactive volunteer.
Volunteer or social entrepreneur ~ either way, it works for me. I get to do what I love in my own way, on my own time, in hopes that the work I do now, will eventually pay off in terms of actually helping other people.
For me, volunteering is as much a part of my life/work landscape as my friends and family. I am immensely grateful to be surrounded by talented, passionate people that encourage and inspire the journey. That said, I would not suggest I have a traditional outlook on volunteer work.
While I do collect for the Red Puppy Appeal, attend charity music events for the likes of Sea Shepherd and volunteer my social media skills for 350Aotearoa ~ volunteering is about the 60 hours+ a week that I invest as work experience in order to create my own future work/life path.
my talent and time | pursuing the dream
It is as true for me as anyone else on this planet that our most valuable personal resources are our own talent and time. Importantly, you get to decide how you value yourself and how you apply your time and talent. What we have to give and gain from this life is up to us to decide.
On that basis, I’m going with a “priceless” valuation on my time and talent:) I work because I hope that what I do is of much greater value to me than a monetary value might prescribe. From Worknow to Augmented Reality to Social Development Banking & Funding models to communities like the Distiller and the Social Innovation Hub as well as work on the board of trustees with KUMA ~ the Southern Maori Business Network and The Malcam Charitable Trust Foundation. It may seem eclectic, but all this unpaid work caters to my aspirations to help people using technology to connect and harness our collective potential
the highs and lows of being “unemployable”
One could point out that I am unemployable ~ which in the traditional sense of a 40hour work week would be an understatement. No “employer” would pay me to do what I do, there is no job description that would comprehensively cover what I set out to achieve or my methods for doing so.
The stigma attached to the label of being “unemployed” is sometimes a challenge. It’s difficult to explain what I do in any quick way except to say that I volunteer, a lot. To quickly summaries my work life often strips from my description all the passion and well being I enjoy. To explain in even basic detail often means a five minute spiel all about me and the amazing talented people I know.
I sometimes struggle to share with the fact that I love my job, that I don’t get paid and actually could achieve nothing without the many many people that I work alongside. Some days I feel like a fake and it’s easy to see why no one pays me. Other days it all just comes together, it makes sense and I absolutely trust that I’m on the right path. If it is about the journey vs the destination, then I’m loving the ride.
Project based work life
Although only one of my current projects Worknow, is all about supporting my project based work life. Perhaps through determined belief and in living the lifestyle we promote I can show that volunteer work experience ~ choosing what you love and applying your talent to achieving your dreams ~ does pay. Perhaps not immediately, perhaps never in terms of cold hard cash but in so many other ways, that money could not buy.
If you aspire to entrepreneurship and work life freedom, if you seek to discover and live your talents and life with passion and joy then potentially, we can help. Your talent profile here will help you connect with the growing number of people that share our work life outlook . Tell us about your talents and skill your interests and values, and we’ll match you with work opportunities. What do you have to gain? that is up to you to define.
“…Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it’s beauty…” Albert Einstein
If you are interested in working with animals a good place to start would be your local SPCA
The mission of The Royal New Zealand SPCA is to advance the welfare of all animals in New Zealand by:
Preventing cruelty to animals
Alleviating suffering of animals
Promoting our policies through education and advocacy
Volunteering with Animals
Do you have some spare time? Your local SPCA is always looking for more volunteers to help. Each centre will have different needs; you could help to man the phones, or walk the dogs, or even get right into it by cleaning out cages. The jobs are varied and the work is rewarding.
If you’re interested in volunteering with animals and you have the following knowledge and skills:-
1) respect for animals
2) basic animal care knowledge or willingness to learn
3) ability to work unsupervised at times
4) use your initiative
You’ve got a great education, you’re keen to learn, you want to work and contribute to society yet it seems that to get the job that you want you need work experience, which first means you need to get a job
The transition from study to the workforce can be difficult even when you know exactly what is is you want and how you plan to get there.
Yet it is the minority of students that emerge from study that well prepared. More often than not, our work prospects and aspirations are about as clear as mud.
Talent vs Degree
I worry that our education system does not adequately prepare people for the realities of the workforce and that the career guidance taken up does little to inspire in young people the pursuit of the dream.
In fact in some cases, being sent off to talk to the local branch of some national or multinational company that has a internship programme that matches your degree, might be the completely wrong direction in terms of matching one’s talents and values.
As was indicated during a conversation I recently had with a final year commerce student (FYCS) – Majoring in Economics
Renee: So you’re final year right?, what do you wanna do next year? Work?
FYCS : Not really sure yet,
Renee: You can do anything you want, you know
FYCS: I’m kinda interested in writing…
Renee: Yeah cool, I majored in journalism. What do you think is you greatest talent?
FYCS: I’m not really sure…
Renee: Everyone’s got talents [usual expectant pause] ok then …how about looking at it like this. If you could have any job in the world what would you do?
FYCS: Writing, or design, maybe advertising?
Renee: So I’m hearing, something creative right?
FYCS: Yeah, but its not really my major”
Renee: Your major doesn’t really matter, it shows that you have discipline and you’ve already learnt the most important lesson, how to learn. Being able to learn, being able to solve problems you can take those skills anywhere. You can choose to do a job you will love.”
FYCS: But I worry about my grades”
Renee: Your grades won’t matter what matters is work experience. Find a company that you want to work with and offer to volunteer. It’s a foot in the door and I reckon volunteer work experience will trump your grades
FYCS: Thinks about this for a nanosecond and smiles
FYCS: You’ve just made me shift my idea of what I could do from here to here (indicating with hands an expanded vision)
While the above tale is unlikely to be a completely accurate replay – there were umms & ahhhh’s, frequent head nodding and gestures - it’s the outcome that mattered.
It’s amazingly encouraging to have seen and heard someone gain even just an ounce more hope for the future. Score 1 to me! in favour of the pursuit of talent vs degree based career paths.
Volunteer Work Experience
We see volunteering as a highly effective means for young people to gain work experience, develop work ethic and build work skills.
Some of the skills volunteers can develop include:-
* Leadership & team building skills
* Relationship building skills
* Communication skills
* Negotiation skills
* Creative thinking skills
* Organisation & time management skills
Most importantly it is a testament to one’s willingness to work which, in my work experience, counts for a whole lot more than grades ever will. Welcome to the workforce people.
Four Simple Steps Towards Your Dream Job
It may seem too simple and idealistic but it’s worked for me. I love my job and would like to see more people living the work life balance that we enjoy
Identify you talents, your passion, your interest and values as it is these qualities when combined with work that will put you on the path to a job that you love!
Create you talent profile and list your talents, passion, interests and value and using the magik of the interweb we will match your talent profile with volunteer work opportunities
Put yourself out there to work and learn more about what motivates and inspires you
Gather references that testify to your work experience so you can expand your options & pursue the dream then repeat
Pretty simple really. It’s about mindset and taking action don’t let others define your future for you. Start working towards you dream job, begin now.
It’s taken us a year, and four times longer than originally planned (luckily there was that recession) but we now have V1.0 of the online community marketplace live!
Now that our design and development team have provided a marketplace the job becomes mine to find the people and groups that will benefit from our work and talent matching tools.
I hope, in collaboration with others to encourage more young people to volunteer
As life would have it, we live in a university town that is full of talented people pondering their future and with the support of brilliant teams like OUSA & Ignite perhaps the challenge to attract young volunteers will be shared.
If you are interested in volunteer work experience please create your talent profile today. N.B: we match you with all forms of work or potential new teams based on the keywords you include in your profile so list talents, interests, skills and passion because it’s time to start creating you dream job.
This year volunteering awareness week – June 20th – 26th will celebrate “Volunteering Across The Generations”.
In the lead up to this week Volunteering NZ has again released statistics that testify to the generosity of our nation. Some of the outstanding facts and figures include:-
More than 1,000,000 of us were actively involved in volunteer work in 2004
New Zealander’s contribute 270 million hours of formal, unpaid work for non-profit organisations annually.
The 270 million hours has been valued at almost $3.31 billion in the year ended March 2004.
The highest number of volunteers worked in primary/secondary education sub sector (16.1%), sports clubs (13.5%) and in religious activities (11.4%)
Volunteering is integral to the way of life we enjoy here in Aotearoa and we are all reliant on the generosity of volunteers on a regular basis; be it a sporting or cultural event, the church you attend or the community groups and activities we participate in.
HOW TO: Find Volunteer Work & Pay It Forward
Register as a member of our talent community
Create your talent profile, entering keywords and phrases that describe your interests & values, skills & talents.
Technology connects you with volunteer work opportunities that match your talent, skills and interests (keywords).
I was moved today by a simple thank you from a friend…
thanks Renee for showing me I’ve something to offer
Perhaps I’m still a bit emotional from watching Avatar yesterday but her simple note made me cry because it reassured me that this concept – that People are Assets - can and does make a difference in lives and communities.
This talented lady is currently my go to person for anything regarding the preservation of food. She is talented, fun and generous with her time and knowledge. She continues to teach and inspire me.
We volunteered together to provide a preserves workshop last year, in which she shared her time and knowledge about preserving. The connections made from that initial volunteer effort have lead to further connections and opportunities, in an ongoing movement toward community resilience.
It is people like this that make our communities stronger, happier and healthier places to live and enjoy life and I am immensely thankful today for these people who sustain my capacity to live [work] & hope.
Results from the 2009 New Zealand General Social Survey (NZGSS) show that over the year from April 2008 to March 2009:
One-third of people in the survey had undertaken voluntary work for a group or organisation during the previous four weeks, and about two-thirds had done unpaid work for someone living in another household.
People who did voluntary work had slightly higher levels of life satisfaction (89.5%) compared with those who didn’t (84.2%).
Two-thirds of both men and women undertook unpaid work.
Women were more likely than men to have done unpaid work at least once a week, whereas men were more likely to have done unpaid work only once in the preceding four week period.
There was a steady rise in the number of people participating in voluntary work by their level of educational qualification.
People aged between 34 and 75 years were the most engaged in voluntary work.
In our discussions with students we saw a mismatch between where they look for volunteer work i.e newspapers and their preferred forms of media, being online.
Without a doubt I believe the time I spent volunteering, after bailing on law school, helped me secure my first real job.
Working for the YMCA as a Gymnastic Instructor and Recreation Assistant was volunteer work experience in the traditional sense. Being new to the workforce it provided me with opportunities in leadership and team work and allowed me to communicate and work with people of all ages.
Personally, the experience is significant in terms of my lifelong aspirations, it highlighted the value of recreational education and the powerful, positive influence of role models on young people. It made me feel like a contributing member of society and in terms of my CV it reflected my willingness to work.
Volunteering for any of the many charitable organisations that support our communities is a great way to build basic work experience and skills.
But if you’re interested in developing more specialist skills, in line with you passions, interests or education then the potential to volunteer your time applies also to company’s that interests you.
It’s a great way to learn about the realities of the workforce to gain an inside look at an organisation and help you to acquire work experience. For a select few it can even lead to jobs.
Indeed several people that I have spoken to in local community organisations say that when taking on new team members they look first to those that have volunteered time with them. Which makes sense right.
Ideally, we’d all like to land the paid internships but in such a competitive market why let those fortunate enough to score places gain extra advantage when you can as easily build work experience alongside them in the same industry with the increased flexibility of a volunteer position.
By creating your Talent Profile here at Worknow, we can help you find and match you talent, skills and interests with both volunteer and paid work opportunities. Register today
Using Technology to Connect with Generation Y Volunteers
We are presenting a workshop at the Volunteering NZ Conference – Wellington, Thursday 29th October @ 10:45 – to present the idea that online media is an effective way to reach out and engage with young people and encourage them to volunteer.
I’d taken for granted that non-profit organisations were already using online media to engage with potential volunteers. In fact, I know several that do www.350.org.nz is a great example of a non-profit that applies social media to good effect.
Yet, when we asked Otago University students recently where they would look for volunteering opportunities we recieved answers such as; in the newspaper.
Clearly, there’s a perceived notion that the non-profit world is still marketing via the old school methods which presents the opportunity to raise awareness and engage with Gen Y volunteers, online. And that’s not just my bias speaking either, it’s advice straight from the horses mouth.
“What do you think is the most effective way for organisations to promote or advertise to students?”
We’ve been asking Gen Y students variations of this question for weeks now and the following answer, reflects the opinion offered by more than five out of every nine students
“For students I think the internet. Internet for us, is our demographics best marketing tool. It’s what we do…social networking sites are pretty key… and get out to a lot of people really quickly”
Many Gen Y would describe themselves as always online “…’cause thats were everyone is, all the time…” The online environment is such an integral element of our life now days that we’ve begun simply to assume that if we seek information, answers or opportunities they can be found at our fingertips.
So despite having only 20 minutes, luckily, both students and the online usage statisitcs support our proposal that; online is a great way to connect with the next generation of volunteers. If you’re in Wellington on the 29th and interested in talking volunteering and / or time trade we’d love to talk.
The Rushey Green Time Bank was established within the local Doctor’s surgery, initially to provide an alternative solution for patients that raised issues of social isolation.
Since 2000, patients have been prescribed, if appropriate, with a friendly visit once a week, or a lift to the shops. They can also be referred to the time bank, for example in the case of long-term depression, if doctors feel that engagement of some kind would be useful.
The evidence is that this works. Early research at Rushey Green showed that 70% of participants suffering from a combination of physical and mental problems reported some remission of their condition within six months of joining the time bank.
There is confirmation of this in research by the Socio-Medical Research
Group at King’s College London, which shows that those participants who are most actively involved in the time bank experience the most improvements in both their mental and physical health. Nine years on it continues to help people discover their sense of belonging.
“…Like a big family everybody is helping everybody…time banking means friendliness…being able to meet and engage with other members and sharing time and sharing skills..you give an hour and get back an hour…”
Focus on Talent vs Need
What sets Time Trade apart from traditional volunteering is that it focuses on highlighting the talents and abilities of people rather than focusing on their needs. In this way it both 1) empowers people that might only otherwise be recipients of charity and 2) encourages people that may not normally volunteer to contribute their time and talent.
Here at Worknow we are building an online system to automate the exchange of time credits so that non profit and community organisations can recruit and reward their volunteers and empower the people they help. Our Time Trade system comes online August 2009 please register your interest today.
