VOLUNTEERING: 

Good For Them

AND

Good For You

Many people will tell you about all of the opportunities for volunteering - and the heartfelt stories about the people who will be helped when you volunteer.  But have you ever thought about how YOU might benefit from volunteering?  Inspirational speaker Tom DuBos (www.tomdubos.com)  joined the Minden Rotary Club recently to talk about these benefits and his own experiences volunteering in multiple organizations.

Volunteering benefits you might receive include:

• Meeting great people who also volunteer

• Experiencing pride in accomplishments (and doing things you’d never dream of doing alone)

• Applying lessons learned elsewhere

• Solving community problems

• Improving time management (“If you ever want something done, ask a busy person”)

• For younger volunteers - building a resume, learning new perspectives and adding mentors

• For older volunteers - promoting your business, leaving a legacy and inspiring your hope for the future

Tom DuBos has volunteered with many organizations and shared the benefits he received:

• Local knowledge was increased every time he met his Little Brother at a new place as part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.  This same youth recently had the opportunity to create a music video with the Jeremy Renner RennerVATION and John Lennon Foundation.  Tom had the privilege of being part of the 36 hour challenge.

• Medical knowledge was the benefit from volunteering with the Ski Patrol.

• Survival skills were learned from volunteering with the Douglas County Search and Rescue.  These skills benefited Tom when the rescuer became the rescuee.  Recently, Tom was backpacking in a canyon south of Lake Tahoe when he had a fall.  Unable to walk, Tom used his skills to contact help and share his exact location so the Search and Rescue team could locate him and transport him to medical care.

• Knowledge of a higher purpose has and is received when volunteering at his church.

• Increased hope for the future is the benefit every time he volunteers in the local schools.

• Inspiration is the benefit everytime he helps at running, biking and trail races.  By the way, Tom is a 5-time Iron Man Triathlon completer!

Are you interested in volunteering and don’t know where to start?  Consider Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Big Blue Adventures, Toastmasters and Rotary!