Discussion Forum: Leadership And Community Development

Module 8 Discussion Forum: Volunteerism 00.05EST.231015

Please think about the questions listed below. You will need to engage in discussion, ask questions for clarification, and respond to questions directed to you.

Detail your experiences (of if none, your observations) of volunteering. Having completed the readings for this Module, speculate about how volunteering can contribute to leadership and community development.

I did my internship working alongside victim advocates from the Dauphin County Victim Witness Program main based located at Harrisburg Court House. My placement created a superb experience for me. I had the chance to meet conversate and work alongside numerous personnel from the criminal justice field. In the Victim Witness

These networks can enhance person’s loyalty to a community, and their emotional connection to an area (Jones, 2006). Volunteering allows for equal decision-making rights being given to minorities, females and young people. Meier et al., (2012) research found that volunteers gained traits that can assist in the development of a community. Two of there were: “To value the viewpoints of others, as well as how to express my personal viewpoint to others”. That I believe, is the number one and first needed and valued trait of a person, the ability to view all sides,, and apply empathy or sternness if and when

Lack of Social interaction skills can be a challenge for community, because volunteering involves being social and surrounding yourself with people from all colour, age, gender, nationality and cultural.

If people are not given positive reinforcement when they achieved set goals and aims, or win an incentive[s] that was given; then one may not feel obliged to return. We all want to know how well we do on papers, work task, personals etc. That being said negative reinforcement is needed, what doesn't kill you make you stronger.

One has to be committed to the ‘cause’ or the project they are involved in, some form of loyalty to the institution and/or organization, the clients etc.

Volunteering is time consuming, and requires time management. This is especially so for individuals with family, full time work and other tasks that will be interrupted when involved with volunteerism.

Readings:

Cnaan, R.A., F. Handy, and M. Wadsworth. 1996. Defining Who is a Volunteer: Conceptual and Empirical Considerations.Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly