Successful volunteering is about the right niche says Randy Evans in 'The Volunteer Servant'
According to Randy Evans, “relationships are the soul of volunteering.” And in his new book “The Voluntary Servant,” Evans explains the importance of personal relationships, how to maximize your volunteer efforts, and much more that is the heart of volunteer work.
With MBA and Phd degrees, both in business and in psychology, Evans’ experience with volunteerism is framed by relationships. “Whether you serve on a nonprofit board, or clean out cages in an animal shelter, you wield all of who you are when you perform volunteer tasks,” he writes in his chapter “Use of Self,” which leads off the book.
“When you decide to move from an observer of what goes on in the world to an actor, you begin to stretch your mind for the right direction,” he asserts in the chapter “Beyond Ourselves.” Here too he outlines ways those considering a volunteer role can best determine whether this is a plausible goal, as well as where best to direct energies for the greatest volunteer impact. When asking the big question “To Volunteer or Not to Volunteer,” it’s helpful to identify areas of interest and determine whether pursuing time here “sounds like fun” or feels “more like routine work.” Fun is a key component in successful volunteering, though it is not the only consideration.
Evans identifies several community affiliations that welcome volunteers, and posits that considering the opportunities in one or more will determine where one’s efforts might be best appreciated by both the community and individual who is volunteering. “In the cultural community,” for example, “Volunteers with in-demand credentials or experience–for instance, teachers and trained artists–can assist with running seminars and guiding tours.” Organizations such as museums or libraries are considered part of the cultural community.
Other areas to consider for volunteer efforts are social work communities, where volunteers might assist the elderly or help mediate disputes, as well as faith communities or health care communities. In each community, the needs are great and specific, and a volunteer can find many possible outlets for service.
“The Voluntary Servant” however is more than a list of where possible opportunities exist. Evans also outlines a variety of ways to work together with other volunteers as well as covering larger topics such as “Integrity and Ethics” to consider in volunteer programs and projects. In “Team Leadership,” for example, Evans explains how “When decisions are to be made, voting should be a last resort.” This is because in such situations, the better course is consensus, where teams “agree to next steps, having thoroughly discussed the issues and listened to minority opinions.” Leadership also means, “constantly calling attention to both process and results, including sensitivity to the individual needs of team members.” Anyone who has participated as part of a leadership team understands the balance required to both keep the group moving forward toward its goal, as well as ensuring that individuals are confident in their respective roles.
Evans, his writing bonafides honed with novels and poetry, non-fiction and essays, wants readers to “Regard this book like travel notes on the journey,” because he believes “To volunteer should be more than to do good and give back,” but rather should be “adventurous and fun as well as a noble mission.” In “The Voluntary Servant” he illustrates both how to volunteer, why to volunteer, and shows how the rewards can outlast the investment.
Good reading.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Successful volunteering is about the right niche says Randy Evans in 'The Volunteer Servant'
