Is this something you really want to do?
Most people feel the need to give back, but that doesn't mean that everyone is cut out to become a volunteer. Volunteering requires strong will and dedication to the goal, which may require a long time to be achieved, or may even have no end, as there are always needs that need to be addressed. Before taking this on, ask yourself why you want to get involved with volunteering – is it out of curiosity, a need to expand your social circle or to specialize in a subject related to your work? – and most importantly, how willing are you to fully commit to this? It’s not so much the quantity of volunteer work that matters, but its quality - a few hours of work or assistance in emergency conditions (e.g. floods, etc.) can make a difference.
Your free time
Volunteer work is a demanding commitment which, however, requires that you demonstrate consistency, rather than put in endless hours. The more certain you are about the free time you have available and how much of it you intend to devote to volunteering, the more likely you are to stay committed to the process, without risking abandoning it halfway through. If you’re a workaholic, there’s always the weekend, though it’s probably already booked with a million things to be done!
Your skills
You don’t need to have special skills to engage in volunteering. If, however, you have expertise in a subject that could prove to be especially useful for a particular initiative, then it's best that your search start there. Besides, the benefit will be twofold, both for you as the volunteer, as well as for those who you’ll be supporting through your work.
Ways to stay informed!
But how can you stay informed about volunteer actions carried out by various organizations and bodies that operate either locally or globally? The answer is obvious: via the Internet. Specifically:
1) All of these organizations have websites, which are regularly updated with news and initiatives undertaken, and clear information is given about the needs in volunteer staff, as well as the positions available.
2) These organizations and initiatives are equally active on Social Media, constantly updating their pages with news that concerns them, relevant actions, their results, etc.
3) There is also the option of subscribing to relevant newsletters, through which you can gain access to more personalized information, but also find out everything about volunteering, how it started, how it’s evolving, and its benefits for all involved.
Some of the Organizations through which interested parties can obtain information are:
Scouts of Greece: The purpose of the scout movement is to contribute to the development of young people so that they fully utilize their physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual abilities as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of local, national and international communities.
Hellenic Red Cross: The Hellenic Red Cross aims at alleviating human suffering in times of war and peace, supporting the wounded, the sick, the elderly, refugees, people facing financial difficulties and vulnerable groups of the population
Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association. The mission of the Volunteer Firefighter is the safety and protection of the lives of citizens and civilian and state property from the dangers posed by fires, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters and accidents.
Reception and Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens (KYADA): The purpose of the Reception and Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens (K.Y.A.D.A.) is to address the problems of vulnerable population groups, who are affected by poverty and experience exclusion and social isolation.
Hellenic Animal Welfare Society: The Hellenic Animal Welfare Society was founded in 1975 with the aim of protecting — mainly stray — animals in desperate need of care.
In Greece, a Register of Voluntary Organizations is kept by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, which lists practically all voluntary organizations in the country.
According to a survey by VolunteeringintheEU, Greece is among the countries with the lowest participation rates in volunteering, along with Bulgaria, Italy and Lithuania, as less than 10% of its citizens have embraced the movement. The Internet and Social Media can easily play an important role in reversing this trend, ensuring people of all ages find out about and acquire access to a range of actions.
In modern life, with its intense instability and multitude of challenges, it may seem increasingly difficult to participate and contribute, but at the same time it is ever more urgent that we all do so. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, even for those of us who don’t have much free time. A desire to help others and empathy are all you need.
Links:
Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association
Reception and Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens (KYADA)
Hellenic Animal Welfare Society
Register of Volunteer Organizations