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In the hutch in my dining room, I occasionally glance at the gavel I was presented with when I was installed as Worthy Advisor of the International Order of Rainbow Girls, Auburn Assembly #11. A beautiful silver gavel my parents proudly surprised me with to celebrate the beginning of a year-long term serving our local community. The year serving as Worthy Advisor I credit with forming the foundation of who I am. My advisor was Barbara Cooksey, an incredible woman who had a heart of service as big as the Atlantic Ocean. Through her, I began to see the value of giving of myself for my community. Mrs. Cooksey had a wall in her home with plaques and awards she had received from her volunteering. She was proud of how those awards documented her years of service, but she was humble enough to share it was the faces of those who benefitted, and the appreciation they shared, that kept her moving forward. An excellent lesson for myself, her protegee, to see.

For most of my life I have volunteered, from foster parenting to serving on various boards and committees and in my children’s schools, to fund raising for local causes. The volunteering I have done has allowed me to meet a variety of people. Most of my volunteering has been a positive experience, encouraging me to move forward and say yes, the next time I am asked to help. There are so many ways volunteers can help a small community flourish. So many ways to serve. So many needs to fill. So, if volunteering is so great, why is the need not met? Where are the volunteers?

Volunteering in America has been declining in recent years. Jeffrey Jones reported in 2022 for his article for Gallup Polls that, “Forty-seven percent of Americans say they volunteered their time for a secular charity in the past year. That is slightly higher than the 43% measured in 2020 but down from 50% in 2017.” And religious charities are even lower. (https://news.gallup.com/poll/388574/charitable-donations-rebound-volunteering.aspex) Perhaps COVID is the reason for the decline in volunteering, perhaps our lives have become so busy it’s hard to carve those available hours out to assist in a local program. And that’s sad. Because there are many programs that need volunteers in our community to be successful.

As a Rainbow Girl, my assembly recycled newspapers and utilized the money to help other charities. We went to retirement homes and read to seniors. We cleaned up city streets. We got our hands dirty (just imagine all that newsprint!) and we laughed and created bonds with one another that have lasted. We learned as young women, the value of a volunteer ethic that has endured for many of us. But what is that volunteer ethic based on? Why do people volunteer? How do you find, as a volunteer organization, the volunteer who loves to volunteer and how do you retain that volunteer? Retention is important to prevent costly retraining and minimize disruptions.

Many people volunteer to gain job experience. I did this myself with the State of Oregon DHS post-graduation, before hiring on. It is a great way to see if the position fits the person, for both the employer and employee. Volunteers also step up to meet people and connect with their community. Again, I found this to be helpful when I wanted to help a local non-profit. And I’m proud to have been able to work with the Rex Theater Board to create their Spaghetti Western Fundraiser, which will be happening again this fall in Thompson Falls. Sometimes people volunteer to meet other people and connect, such as in civic organizations, schools and churches.

These are a few of the reasons people volunteer, but how do you retain volunteers? That’s the difficult part. I have found most people volunteer to have a positive experience, gain new skills and connect with people. And the best currency in payment for this? According to a volunteer training organization, Volunteer Hub, it is a heartfelt thank you. Being able to bring your skill set to the table and be provided a task, then left to complete that task, then thanked for the help… priceless. Add a flexible schedule to that list and you’ve usually got yourself some happy volunteers. Volunteers who are ready and willing to step up and continue to help in your service organization, church, political action group or non-profit, to name a few.

Many organizations can attest to the fact that usually the same people step up over and over to complete the tasks required. After awhile these folks get tired of serving, while others never step up to help. Volunteer burnout is a real thing and is something volunteer managers need to work to prevent. Allowing a volunteer to have a flexible deadline, when possible, can help. Remember, a volunteer is not paid staff, they are giving of their time.

From what I have seen, volunteering is alive and well in Sanders County. If you are looking for a place to volunteer some time, reach out to the places that you’d like to serve. They most likely will be happy to have access to your assistance and talents. Step up and volunteer. As William James said, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does…”

Chelle is a recovering social worker who currently works as a licensed massage therapist at Cherry Creek Myotherapy. She moved to Montana with her husband David and two pups, Lucas and Turner, where they seek “the quiet life” amid new adventures.