(The act of volunteering is an act of personal choice devoid of financial reward, a salute to the spirit of man as a human being.)

Thrice a week in the morning hours I enter the local bus in my town and travel to the local library. No, it is not for the purpose of borrowing books, but it is for giving my time as a volunteer to assist the librarians in their busy day. I assist in cataloging, shelving and mending books during my three-hour stay of the day.
Volunteering has many rewards for me, as it gives me a wonderful feeling that I am doing something good for the community during my retirement. For me it is better than sitting on the park bench and nattering with the other old-timers about this or that.
I am considered part of the staff and enjoy the amenities offered, which is friendship with the staff and other volunteers, that hot cup of coffee and biscuit during the coffee break, small gifts for the holidays (mainly books), and above all for three mornings I am not underfoot of the misses at home. (My wife too is a volunteer, as she assists high school students in their lessons two afternoons a week. Her reward is seeing her pupils graduate with honors and go on to higher education.)

Over the years, volunteering has become a fundamental value of American society and a driving force behind its democracy. The more volunteers a society has and nurtures, the greater its social capital’, and has the ability to provide more extensive services to the public at large. You’ve seen news reports about people who need assistance after a natural disaster or animals in need. Maybe you’ve walked past people who are living on the streets or looking for a handout. Or perhaps you’ve watched TV programs about how lonely and isolated older people can get. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to change people’s lives, including your own.
You too can offer your service as a volunteer whether you are a, a student with a bit of free time from studies, a housewife alone after seeing her children off to school, a working person with free time after an eight hour day, or a retiree that has just received the golden handshake. Established communities depend on volunteers - like you! Maybe one of the many varied volunteer opportunities fits your interests and there are different groups in need of volunteers. Quite simple to find the answer - Log on Homes and Communities’ US Department of Housing and Urban Development and you will find a listing of volunteer requests from varied organizations nationwide. http://www.hud.gov/volunteering/index.cfm A listing of Federal Volunteer Programs and National Volunteer Programs are with the touch of your fingers.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455

Think about what is important for you in giving your time in volunteering, and be selective about it. Choosing opportunities that make you feel good while helping others builds stronger communities, and enriches your own life at the same time. The United Way and community Volunteer Centers work with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors to serve. national.unitedway.org/volunteer/choosing.cfm’.

Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things you will ever do. Just by volunteering for just four hours a month can change a young person’s life. Some are as little (as young as six) and some are teenagers and they all need the friendship and the guidance from you.
Big Brothers Big Sisters National Office
230 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 567-7000 - phone
(215) 567-0394 fax

Volunteers are needed in libraries, museums, hospitals, etc, and in even in projects to protect the environment….

THE VOLUNTEER’S WORK:
1) The right of the volunteer to choose work is suitable and appropriate to his personal inclination, life experience, education, provided they fit the goals and needs of the organization that request volunteers.
2) The volunteer is entitled to consideration of his preferences for the type of work, which fits into his education and his ability.
3) Information should be available on the type of work required and of the investment of his or her time and the obligations.
3) The volunteer should be adequately trained for the work required.
4) The volunteer should decide on the amount of time he can devote in the volunteer work.
5) Proper physical and safety condition should be afforded the volunteer
6) Expenses such as public transport should be reimbursed.
7) It is the right of the volunteer to receive a Volunteer Card bearing his or her name and the possibility with a photo.

VOLUNTEER RIGHTS:
The decision of an individual to commit himself or herself to a volunteering project requires the organization in which he gives his services it to protect his or her rights, and to inform of his and her rights.
1) The volunteer right to be treated respectfully and fairly by everyone connected to the volunteer’s duty.
2) The volunteer has the right to be a partner in the planning of his or her volunteer work and in decisions in associated with that work, to feely express opinions and offer suggestions.
3) It is the right of the volunteer to have access to information about the organization, its policies, procedures, and its work plans.
4) There should be no discriminations against a volunteer on the basis of gender, gender orientation, personal status, age, race, religion and political affiliation.
5) A volunteer has the right to protection of his privacy unless he gives his or her agreement.

And in turn the volunteer must respect the organizations clients and act with dedication, responsibility, tolerance, patience and without discrimination to race or creed. Also the volunteer must cooperate with all the other volunteers in the organization, as well as with the employees of the organization, and must treat them respectfully, fairly and impartially.

Some people volunteer only for the benefit of others Other want to serve their communities, which makes their own life and others in their community better in the quality of life A few want to give back in some way they had benefited from the assistance they were given by an organization - Those with sense of duty that comes with citizenship - Those with religious convictions see it as a spiritual duty according to their beliefs and , Off course those with social reasons for meeting a lot of different people from different walks of life and to make new friends.

Whatever your motives for volunteering, your help is needed…….