It’s good news week....every week

Today I met a guy who volunteers one day a week at a school tuck shop.He inspired me.

A few days ago I gave a talk to over 70 volunteer managers and coordinators in Adelaide. I left the venue having met some really inspiring people.

I spent a day at the Lyell McEwin hospital and was amazed at their inspiring volunteer services staff and volunteers. I spent an hour on my own wandering around having a look at their volunteers in action. I had a wonderful conversation with a volunteer at their café. They were friendly, generous with their time and…I say it again…inspiring.

I suggest if you work in this field visiting a place where there are volunteers and from a distance observing the work of volunteers. Hospitals can be a good place to do this. Watch the friendly faces meet and greet, direct, ease concerns, and add the human touch.

It’s a humbling experience especially if you remove your hat of Volunteer manager. Because at the end of the day, beyond the processes, beyond the PDs, systems and paperwork here are the people. Volunteering.

Today thousands upon thousands of people volunteered their time in your country. Tomorrow thousands more will do the same.

But you won’t read about this in your local paper.

The world lately seems to be getting a battering. Natural disasters seem more prevalent. There are uprisings and wars. Many national economies are basically stuffed. And we see this daily in our news bulletins and in our papers.

Even our politics, in my opinion, seem to be getting a little nasty. Harsher word are being employed. We can do better.

There are even those who are talking of end days and 2012 in apocalyptic ways.

And despite the gloom and doom our media portrays, people will wake up in the morning and volunteer some time.

Volunteer counselors will listen to people. Volunteer firefighters will put out fires. Volunteers in hospitals will bring comfort to patients. Volunteer lifeguards will save lives. Volunteers will raise funds for medical research. Volunteers will work to save our environment. Volunteers will work in schools and clubs and better the lives of our children. And much much more.

Why?

It’s human nature.

Volunteering may be taken for granted by some. It may be misunderstood by others. And it is generally not reported on by mainstream media.

Could it be that good news in no news?

No matter, volunteering will happen tomorrow and beyond. Volunteering is one of the most inspiring stories of human kind and I am lucky to count myself as a participant in volunteerism.

"Life isn't as serious as the mind makes it out to be."
— Eckhart Tolle