What Works: Tis the Season to Volunteer

I volunteer a lot of my time. Every potential client gets 30 minutes on the phone with me. I work with community organizations to support local causes. Advocates to End Domestic Violence is one of those. Each holiday, I usually write something about the importance of volunteerism. Yet, the power and two-way benefit of volunteerism didn’t hit me until I returned home to Carson City.

I have been on a month-long road trip. In that time, I have experienced a lot. But the experience coming home was even greater because people missed me. Almost immediately my phone started ringing from mentees. My Little from Big Brothers Big Sisters was ecstatic. This reminded me of the intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) benefits of volunteering. I encourage you to rack up as many of these precious gifts for yourself. Continue to make your presence on this planet a gift to others.

Intrinsic (Inside of You) Benefits
Volunteerism feels good: There is nothing quite like the feeling of giving of yourself. Volunteerism produces the same endorphins as going for a walk or playing a sport. It provides an emotional charge. When done in a mindset of giving and not obligation, it can give you the energy to do other things in your life.

Volunteerism keeps you sharp: Out of work? Retired? Bored? Volunteer! Volunteerism keeps the synapses firing through active work. This improves your memory, reaction time, vocabulary, and in some cases, even IQ!

Volunteerism makes you fit: Volunteering at an event, you are on your feet more. You walk more. You are moving around more than if you decided not to volunteer. This leads to clear health benefits. Joints move better. Cardiovascular health is improved. Stamina is increased. Talk about a win-win!

Extrinsic (Outside of You) Benefits
Volunteerism leads to opportunity: This column is a volunteer effort. Thus, I have been able to coach new clients who came to know me through the column. Now that I am home, I will be reconnecting with Adams Hub for Innovation, who invited me to volunteer as a mentor. The key to receiving opportunity through volunteerism is to be your authentic self. Don’t go in with the motive that you will get business. Go in with the desire to give back. The principle of reciprocity works energetically. Soon you will find yourself in a natural give and take mode. It’s beautiful.
Fact from Forbes: The Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that promotes volunteerism, tracked more than 70,000 jobless people between 2002 and 2012 and found that those who volunteered had a 27 percent better chance of finding a job than those who didn’t.

Volunteerism expands your social network: Even if your volunteer project is small, you are sure to expand your network. This expanded network will connect you to others. The ripple effect can be rather fantastic to track. I volunteered in 2013 on the communications committee for the Downtown 2020 Association. Even though my involvement stopped the following year, the connections and friendships I made continued.

Volunteerism can change the world: Speaking of ripple effects, one person can make a difference. One person inspires another, and another, and so on. That creates real change in the world. FISH is a fantastic example of this. Their dignity card transformed homelessness  in Carson City. Instead of giving money, people give out dignity cards which direct to FISH services. 

The Empty Bowls project is another effort which feeds the homeless in our town. This holiday, you can volunteer with FISH by filling out this volunteer form.

LEARN FROM DIANE AND EMBRACE CHANGE IN 2017


January 6, 2017: “Vision Boards and Statements Workshop” – Gaia Wellness and Yoga, Carson City, NV – $20/Adults, $10/Ages 10-18. Purchase your ticket here. https://www.facebook.com/events/1804802419807412/

What Works Coaching
Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a business coaching and marketing services firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.