What Is A Volunteer?

Less · 21-12-2016, 19:04

Is it someone like the forces?

The officer says I need 3 volunteers, you, you and you.

Or is it someone that sees a need, realises that although they quietly fill that need the only recognition they will get is the satisfaction of a job well done?

Maybe it's the person that pushes themselves forward?

I've been doing this for 12 to 30 years none of you lazy beggars do what I do maybe things will improve if you volunteer.

The latter of these always assume a few things.

1/ No-one deserves praise for volunteering like I do.

2/ No-one that doesn't talk about how much they've done whilst volunteering has ever volunteered.

3/ No-one deserves the praise for volunteering that a professional volunteer like me deserves. Let's face it I'm fantastic it's YOU that makes my work hard.

4/ My life is wonderful, so wonderful I can tell you how you don't understand what is going on even though you try your best to use common sense to tell me I'm wrong.

I prefer the person that quietly helps, even if it's in the background making a cup of tea, the tea will have been made hoping to improve circumstances.

No need for the boastful volunteer they usually have to be worked around, not with.

Retlaw · 21-12-2016, 20:38

A volunteer is a bloke who is prepared to lay down his life for his mates. James Rigby an Accy Pal from Church was such a man, the Pals were pinned down in a place they nicknamed suicide corner, three jerry snipers had been giving James's mates hell, so he volunteered, arming himself with extra ammo and some grenades he crept out of his trench, found the snipers and silenced all three.
Now that is a volunteer, not some pace egger who says I'll make the tea today. Jimmy was a real volunteer and a bloody Hero to boot

Margaret Pilkington · 21-12-2016, 21:47

A volunteer is someone who gives their time to a cause that they hold dear....for whatever reason. It may be helping out at the hospice. It maybe working in a school helping children get to grips with their reading.
It may be something as simple as helping a neighbour with a bit of shopping, but like you Less, I think it is something best done quietly and with little fuss.
Good deeds are their own reward.

maxthecollie · 22-12-2016, 16:40

Gift tag.jpg

I used to be a volunteer along with my dog Gyp who is in the picture.We used to belong to a group called P.A.T. dogs (Pets as Therapy). We used to visit hospitals and care homes where people had to give up their pets. It was lovely to see their faces light up when we used to go .They looked forward to our visits. Sadly my present dog Max would never make a P.A.T. dog as is is very frightened of strange noises. You have to go through an assessment test to check if your dog would be ok. When I stopped the visits,I went on a training session to become an assessor myself.

shillelagh · 23-12-2016, 21:41

I volunteer with the credit union up on the balcony in the market hall .. we always need volunteers if you can spare 3 hrs a week/fortnight/month or whenever we will very gladly train you up ... we've lost a lot of volunteers this year some got jobs, some sadly passed away or have got ill ... if you fancy it call in ... we will gladly tell you all about it ... the credit union is only open next Friday ten am till 12 noon or in the new year its open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am till 1pm

boxermum · 24-12-2016, 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

I volunteer with the credit union up on the balcony in the market hall .. we always need volunteers if you can spare 3 hrs a week/fortnight/month or whenever we will very gladly train you up ... we've lost a lot of volunteers this year some got jobs, some sadly passed away or have got ill ... if you fancy it call in ... we will gladly tell you all about it ... the credit union is only open next Friday ten am till 12 noon or in the new year its open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am till 1pm

You have made me think,maybe I can help.Would like to know more.I will call in after Christmas. Everybody needs a little help now and then,moreover everyone who is able should try and help someone less fortunate than themselves.The reward is the warm glow you feel inside.

Margaret Pilkington · 24-12-2016, 08:29

Jen, you do a grand job.

shillelagh · 27-12-2016, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Jen, you do a grand job.

awww thank you Margaret ... ive done this for I cant remember how long .. people still don't know about the credit union and still go to places like Wonga and provident etc for loans and then end up paying back extortionate amounts of interest ... when it comes down to it credit unions are way better than them .. and you get a say on how its run.

fccu

Margaret Pilkington · 28-12-2016, 09:25

Yes Jen you are right. The Credit unions need much more publicity to get their work known about...and of course to help those who need help financially(that won't leave them in a worse position).