Today I have the immense pleasure of hosting Bhavana Upadhyaya of Tilling the Earthwoman. I have known Bhavana only for a short period of time but have felt an instant connect with her. A multifaceted personality who has worked extensively in volunteering, she is a warm person whose positivity was the first attribute that struck me about her. It has been a pleasure knowing you and thank you for doing this post for me. Over to you Bhavana…
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Etiquette of Volunteering-I
Almost every week I hear from someone who is interested in doing something for a social cause, wants to give back, wants to care, and wants to have the satisfaction of having done something good. It is often delightful to hear back from such folks and I love it when they follow-up consistently until I have responded.
I delay purposely. Because, it is one thing to say you care, one thing to say you want to do something, and a whole different thing to actually do it.
So let me give you readers a roadmap on how to volunteer effectively. This post is for those who wish to volunteer with an NGO which has paid staff or dedicated set-up. Volunteering in key management positions of an NGO or in an all-volunteer setup is a very different cup of tea.
Who am I? I have spent close to a decade volunteering, connecting volunteers to NGOs as well as managing volunteers in both United States and India.
Let us Start
It is wonderful that you want to volunteer. But do you want to volunteer for only one day, couple of hours per week, weekend?
If you want to volunteer for one day then look out for cleaning drives, blood donation camps, marathons and walks for social causes, one-day awareness campaigns. One of the recent campaigns that I helped support as one of the organizers was the Chennai Trekking Club’s annual Coastal Cleanup. 2369 volunteers along with members of 60 external groups participated in the 15 km Cleanup to collect 17.6 tons of garbage. This was an excellent opportunity for many people to do something for their city.
But note, in such one-day events, crowd management, managing resources and communication effectively is sometimes difficult. Instead of complaining how things could have been better managed, make the best use of the space available to make yourself useful. In this regard, I must say children (8+ and above) who volunteer are way more focused, have fun, and end up doing more work than adults.
Regular Schedule in Volunteering
If you want to volunteer more regularly, first ask yourself, if you have the time and will to commit consistent volunteer support for 3-6 months at the very least. Then assess if you have the skills that match your NGO’s needs. It creates havoc when volunteer turnaround is high. Because every time a new volunteer comes in, s/he has to be trained, guided in the area of work, and it is exhausting for the NGO staff.
I remember trying to connect some of my students in a service-learning course to volunteer at a centre which provide computer-training for poor Mexican immigrants. The first thing I was asked was about the length and regularity of the volunteer time. I was surprised that she was hesitant. Later I realized that students in the centre come to learn with passion and when the volunteer-teachers don’t show up, their energy sags.
Just Volunteer—Don’t Expect Returns
When you begin volunteering with an NGO, please do not expect them to be grateful to you and shower you with flowery praises. It is wonderful you are giving your time but so are they. They have often committed their careers and personal life to the cause. This is especially true for small NGOs with limited staff support. One staff person often has to wear multiple hats and is stressed for time and energy. I am often exhausted with the number of questions and the constant tugging on the sleeve that happens when an over-eager volunteer shows up. Buddy, I thought you were here to help, not become an extra set of chores.
Recently, I connected folks at Tulane University, New Orleans with Kalki Welfare Society, a wonderful NGO working with street children in Pondicherry. I found that the volunteer coordinator of Kalki was very hesitant although a qualified Master in Social Work intern from an American University had offered to come in. The reason was, helping the foreign student to transition to the new cultural norms and then be able to provide useful service to the organization takes a long time and drains the resources and energy of the NGO. After being assured that the intern would get adequate cultural training, the coordinator relented.
Cultural Sensitivity
As a volunteer if you enter specific communities like HIV-infected children or the disabled population or a rural area, please first study the issues thoroughly and understand the cultural etiquette of the group. NGOs ideally should organize diversity trainings to sensitize volunteers to the community culture—the need to respect different ways of being and living.
For example, the visually-challenged do not want to be pitied and their arms held to guide them to a place. Rather, you have to give your arm or shoulder for them as support and allow them the power to navigate themselves. I once had a blind classmate in my doctoral seminar in United States who outdid me in every sense—in classroom debates on intense philosophical questions, in his writing, and in his ability to move the topic into a higher and more profound level. I often waited for his encouragement to validate my position on an issue. They are visually-challenged but in all other senses, they may be sharper than our dulled misused ones.
Cultural sensitivity is super crucial when volunteers travel to rural areas or work with marginal populations. I once had taken a bunch of student-volunteers on a project in a poor neighborhood in New Mexico without adequate training. I went on to regret it because students entered the community with a “know-it-all” and “I-will-save-you” attitude and it deeply offended the community representatives.
In India, I once shuddered when a young man gave a speech in a village in India which was something on these lines: “Today is a wonderful day for you all. People from the cities who work in big places have taken time off to come to your village and explain how this issue affect all of you. Hence you must listen carefully.” Don’t people in the village work? Is their work anyway lesser than ours? Aren’t the farmers the backbone of our country? Isn’t it true that we get to eat because of them? The point is, we need to remember each person has their place in the world and is utterly, surely, definitely useful!
Volunteering brings joy to your life. It helps you find like-minded friends and community. It makes evenings and weekends more purposeful and happy. Find an NGO today and offer your time and skills. Change happens, one step at a time.
For more on how to win trust and fundraising tips as a volunteer, please await the next post.
Picture courtesy: Freedigitalphotos.net
Bhavana, this one is after my heart because I have certainly thought of volunteering many times. I loved your candid thoughts and experiences here. I am sure many of us who are groping with the turmoil within us with the social issues we see around us would benefit from this post. Thanks for doing this for me.
Thank you Rachna for letting me this post for your space. Your blog is one of those utterly honest, sincere, caring and socially-conscious blog–it is a safe space for your readers and may I mention, your guest writers too?
Thank you for your warm praise. I am not sure that I deserve it, but I am grateful that I am learning so much in the bargain and am able to share this wonderful information with my encouraging readers. It is a pleasure to have all my Guest writers who have enriched my blog with their amazing posts!
wow, that’s a comprehensive guide!! and i agree with the second last paragraph – if we don’t value the contribution of individuals then we probably ain’t qualified enough to work for a social cause.
Thanks Deb! Yes, not only do we have to value but I have realized if you do not value, no change happens. Nobody ever rises from feeling “stupid” or “backward.” Empowerment is always the key to change
Thanks for the wonderful post, Bhavana!
It is true that while many of us do think of giving back to the society, in many ways we are clueless as to what is expected of us. This has been a very open and honest article in this regard.
Thank you Uma, for your kind words. Just sharing what I could to help others in their desire to help others.
Power to you Bhavana!!
Thank you Rachna for this valuable space utilisation!!
Thank you Magiceye! Yes, isn’t blog a great way to inform, spread awareness, and help people to do something? And Rachna’s blog is perhaps the best place for this article. Thank you for that Rcahna!
Thank you Magiceye! The honor was mine.
This is a wonderful post and so informative.I liked the last line of the last second para, each person a place…If everyone would remember that… most of the conflicts would have been resolved. Waiting for the next part
So true, Bhagyashree!!! So true! If only we respected each person’s life, living, opinion, saying as having its own ground, its own life, its own beauty…
Hi Bhavana
That was a good compilation of points to remember. Thanks a lot and Hats Off for all that you do.
Basic question, what are the mediums by which you can find an NGO that would suit your need..I mean considering your time and the type of volunteering you would like to be involved in? Also, we do hear of fake NGOS that take people for a ride. So, how does one verify the genuineness of the organization?
Thaks for your comments, Jaish. Ok, I will try to answer but it won’t be complete:
1. If you want to volunteer for one day only–choose established ones which have website or media coverage or reputation or ones in which your friends have participated. That way you are assured that the set-up would be somewhat well-organized. Specially, if media will be there, they plan to not make big goof-ups
2. If you want to volunteer on a regular basis–newspapers (like Hindu) report on good NGOs and their work–you may want to follow up on that. Check website and see if you like what you see. And then visit 2-3 times till you feel comfortable. Don’t jump in. See if you know somebody who knows somebody in an NGO. In India personal referral process is quite trustworthy.
3. for verifying genuineness of organization–google search, news media search, check charity navigator ratings (but not all NGOs apply for it), check of years in operation, best is on-site visit–that tells you everything.
I hope my answers are useful:)
Beautiful compilation . Necessary to check out, before jumping in a new voluntary service.
Thanks.
BTW, how did you find time tow rite this?:-)
Thanks, Pattu. Time–hahaha–wrote it last week before I went to Hyderabad:)
“we need to remember each person has their place in the world and is utterly, surely, definitely useful!”
This is something that most people don’t understand. I am glad someone who does a lot of actual social work is helping in guiding us in the right path towards approaching the right kind of NGO.
I will wait for the next post too. 🙂
Thanks Rachna for introducing Bhavana here. I am following her on twitter, but honestly I haven’t read a single post of hers. I guess I must start reading from now on. 🙂
Jyothi You must follow her blog. She writes about issues that touch us all and her posts are really informative and written with a human touch!
Thank you Jyothi and Rachna for your words–they do me more than you know.
Yes, Jyothi..it is hard to understand and then accept each person has their place. I am myself at fault several times for overlooking this. But I am learning and improving.
Rachana and Bhavana…wonderful post. I always wanted to volunteer for a NGO. I will contact you when I really want to do it. Thanks.
Thanks Janu. Do read my comment to Jaish’s response–you will find info there:)
Thanks Janu. Glad you found it of use.
WOW, now this is excellent and I loved the line where she says its one thing to think about it and another to actually do it ..
I remember a incident I had a couple of friends who once decided to occampany me for some work, all that adrenalin rush , yeh kar denge woh kardenge.. we landed in punjab , near our village and after some time I could see them, hardly doing anything they were too conscious of having to dig in filth to make sure the water gets a proper exit..
I was more ashamed of actually being with them, I know not everyone can do everything that’s why it is bery important to know what one can handle and do .. all this work needs commitment and if one cant do it then it doesnot make them a smaller person ..
lovely post for all to read and well done Bhavana, I am so glad I know you even if its via blogs ..
Bikram’s
Bikram, I am glad I know you too, even if it is via blogs–this does offer us a very different community doesn’t it?
Your example brings a smile on my lips…I have known folks who are lot like what you write about. They agonize over the beating sun or having to stay awake for long and then getting up early next day. If one has dedicated some time to volunteer, then be prepared to use that time to the hilt..Thanks for sharing:)
Volunteering for dummies! Hadn’t thought before that the seemingly simple idea could be so complicated! You have rightly cautioned about the gravity of involvement of all, in lucid terms.
Hahaha, I never thought of titling it that way:) Yes, social work is serious business–way more serious than any corporate entity, for we are talking of actually spreading the wealth, improving a country’s status, economy, well-being and the same. I believe the best people should get into social service positions and those who cannot should at least give a portion of their money. That way each one of us can dedicatedly serve instead of just complaining..:)
This post is so very enlightening and informative! Thanks for sharing!!
Glad it was helpful:) Thanks for reading!
Bhavana,
Having worked with a NGO for over 2 years on full time basis and am consultant thereafter due to age factor, I can not agree with you more. A must read for all those who speak so much about doing something for the society but mostly with an eye on what is in it for them, including even some corporates. Waiting for next one.
Take care
Rachna,
Thanks for introducing to her. Take care
Thank you Jack! In solidarity with you and your kind!!!!
A brilliant post that put brought out the heart of volunteering. You touched upon the most essential attributes of volunteering and the mindset and clarity of thought that is needed for one to volunteer. For those who think that it is an act of selfless service where in they sacrifice some of their free time, they should only look at those who do that all their lives with a smile on their face and heart. And you highlighted the most important aspect of volunteering; which is placing the cause above self. A very important post for everyone! And as usual, Rachna, you gave a wonderful and fitting introduction to Bhavana.
Thank you Raj! She is quite amazing, isn’t she?
Raj and Rachna, thank you. Stop the compliments will you–I am very embarrassed!
Ok, back to the point: so true, Raj of those folks who give their lives to giving. When I meet these folks they are so humble, so unpretentious and yet so determined. Like this guy from Mugavari Foundation. He looks very “ordinary” but he is a guy who after his sister’s wrongful death at a hospital, gave up his CA job to train poor folks to becoming doctors and IAS with a heart. He has coached hundreds of people and I keep hearing folks entering into medical college or passing IAS from his organization…but he himself is so down-to-earth and unassuming…hats off to such folks!
Bhavana, a lovely post on volunteering and that too for social causes! On the lighter side, I was reminded of one senior long ago in the Navy who advised never to volunteer:)
hahaha..yes, a smart NGO staff member knows how to extract work from a volunteer–LOL!
BTW Thanks to Rachna for always leading the way for something meaningful!
Thank you Rahul. You are too kind.
Absolutely, Rahulji!!! Her blog is like beacon light for the good and noble things to find expression!
very valuable information…
glad:)
Great post Bhavana!
Volunteering is something! I guess if one is truly passionate about the cause, then working for it becomes a passion too!
Listening to the authorities is something too!
I lead volunteers from time to time… leading volunteers is a whole different ball game! Especially when you have nothing to leverage them by other than your relationship!
Amazing post!
Yes, Danny–leading volunteers is a whole different topic! We need to have management lessons for volunteer coordinators. Yes, you have nothing to leverage than your relationship–so true!!!
Beautifully written Bhavana… and its a great work you are doing. This kind of post is certainly a help because most of the time we just think about it and do not try exploring the possible avenues.. It is definitely one thing to say that you want to help and another things to actually get down and help.
True and I have seen it happen–so many care, want to care, but you really have to figure out a way to put it into action. A family I knew would ensure all festival and holidays they spent with either a homeless shelter or a food pantry together as a family–either packing food, or sorting clothes–doing something together. It helped family grow and bind over good values:)
Bhavna your post is clear and incredibly helpful.I particularly liked your tip on doing some homework and training before entering a specific community.I still remember a very old experience when some of my friends fled the scene after they came to know that they needed to volunteer for a Leprosy Relief Centre.
A big thanks to you and Rachna for this brilliant post.
Did they? Hahaha…glad they ran before they reached the place. If they decided to back out after they reached the place, the NGO staff would have been taxed! Thank you for the solidarity, Kavita!
Hi Bhavana, this is terrific advice. Thanks. Any tips on volunteering for teenagers? I’ve been thinking about getting my older daughter (she’s 14) engaged in volunteering, and helping her plan it. Believe it will help shape/balance her perspective. If you have a couple of points or a link to share, that would be great. Thanks for taking the time out to write such a thoughtful, actionable article. cheers.
ps: Great blog, Rachna!
Thank you Srini! Welcome here!
Srini, teenagers work beautifully as volunteers–they have passion, energy, and they learn fast and they love being amongst peers on a project.
Now before I respond more specifically, I would perhaps ask if you are located in India or US. It is different.
If in US, I would suggest: reading to younger students at community centres in impoverished neighborhood or taking her to local soup kitchen and volunteering along with her (Dad-Daughter special time). It is important since she is a teenager, that she is given specific sole responsibility at the volunteer place–like she serves salad or bread. That accountability and working along with adults on a spirit-uplifting cause will do wonders for her.
I once had a young boy working along with me at sunday project to make fresh burritos. He did not want simple jobs. He wanted tougher ones–so we got him to roll the burritos. He did it with great focus and pride and loved it when he was able to give the bags himself to the hungry. He asked several questions after that on why this hungry woman was like this and that man like that and so one so forth. Went on to celebrate his birthday at project giving chocolate milkshakes, his favorite to the folks who came!
If you are in India, do respond back to this comment and I will give inputs. India works a little different..but that you know:)
Hi Bhavana, We’re in Bangalore. cheers. India’s different 🙂 which is why I could use a few pointers..thanks
Srini, it will help me too. I am looking forward to Bhavana’s comment, as my son is 10 years old now. It will do him some good to begin.
Srini/Rachna, saw this comment. I need to get Blore relevant info at my workplace where I have my visiting cards:) Will respond soon:)
Ok.
1. I highly recommend volunteering your teen kids with Agastya Foundation. The HQ is somewhere near Kuppam, few hours from Blore. But they have an office in Bangalore. I visited the one near Hubli. Even if you don’t want to volunteer, I suggest you go and visit and see how science is being innovatively taught in rural India. I have also heard the chairman Ramji Raghavan speak and he is brilliant.
http://www.agastya.org/how/how-to-volunteer
Phone: 080-41124132/23545054
2.A highly effective program to feed underprivileged children in Karnataka–Akshyapatra. Very very successful. I met with the staff but not actually been at serving time. My colleague has and he raves about it. http://www.akshayapatra.org/getinvolved
3. The Association of People with Disability. I met the Ast director there–Suresh Anand. I have heard from others that the org has a good track record and they are doing some innovative programs.
emai: apdblr@gmail.com
http://www.apd-india.org/volunteer
4. Besides this, you can start by going on one-day volunteer events that are advertised, to just get adapted. Go as a family. Make it as a family ritual that will create positive memories. After that, I suggest transition to a NGO. Ensure regularity even if it is once in two months. One needs to create muscle memory even for volunteering:)
Please note, in India we get attached too soon. Detachment is a good practice. I find for social work that although I lead with my heart, I always keep my head firmly as my best friend. Logic, street smartness, control of ego, knowing our boundaries are crucial. This will enable us to calmly navigate and give effectively. I have seen too many long volunteer meetings, too much anger and in-fighting, too much ego clashes, and lack of professionalism. I find it imperative that we volunteer professionally. I think it is important to teach our kids also that.
A teenager/young adult here in Chennai works beautifully with children in homes. She works with HIV+ve kids too. But one of the kids died and it was very very hard on her. But that is part of what sometimes faces the people we work with. Being sensitive without losing our grip with reality is important–I feel.
I hope this helps. I write these inputs as a Chennaite. There are many more gems in Bangalore that one could find out as an insider that I don’t know. I hope those gems forgive me for not mentioning them.
Take all my advice with a pinch of salt:)
Bhavana, That is valuable information. I have been actively supporting Akshay Patra. I contribute to them; I remember blogging about them and helping raise funds for them. I wholeheartedly endorse them. About the others, I will surely check them out. If something is closeby, I would at least like to pay a visit. We have an SOS centre for kids that is not too far away.
Rachna, highly recommend you visit Agastya. Your kids and you will fall head over heels in love with this group:) Glad you also endorse Akshaypatra!!! What a neat group, aren’t they?
Hi Bhavana, this is outstandingly useful. Many many thanks for putting this together. Will loop back if questions. gracias!
The idea of a one day family volunteering is a great first step. Your tips are actionable and simple. Speaks volumes of your tremendous experience in this area. Thanks again!
Beautiful post, giving people good background about volunteering. It needs lot of hard work and dedication, and not everyone is made for that. I really admire people who spend time, understanding and helping in appropriate ways.
Thanks Rachna for introducing us to Bhavna.
Thanks Rama. Did not realize this post would be actually this useful. I guess I just wanted to share what I had learnt over years. Glad it is actionable:)
Thank you Rama, and it is my pleasure.
thanks bhavna for sharing
volunteering is something helping without expectations..a helping hand I must say!
🙂
Yes, it is Harman:) Thanks for the solidarity!
Thats a very insightful post by Bhavana. Thanks for sharing your experiences and guiding us.
What is the use of knowledge if it is not shared, Saru? I am just doing my duty:) Thanks for reading!
Thank you for sharing this with us, Bhavana. That certainly did help for someone like me who wants to help but doesn’t know where to begin. I think you are doing a great job. 🙂
Rachna, thanks for bringing Bhavana on your blog. 🙂
I am so glad it helps you!!! That makes writing this so satisfying!
Thank you, Destiny’s Child! I am glad that you found it of value.
This was a very good and informative post, but the one thing that jumped at me was the need for sensitation. We, the do-gooders have to learn not to look down but look at those who are less fortunate than us and help them with compassion and empathy, not pity and a sense of superiority.
Zephyr, yes, that is a core issue–our attitude!! We have to stop doing charity and instead learn we are all in this together. We live in an ecology, not stand alone systems!
Very intersting,very informative.
may be,some day I will get involved with some NGO which is invoved with education of the deprived children.
I hope you, BK!!! Thank you for your words! In btw you may consider children of migrant labourers, as they tend to be badly marginalized of the lot
This was like the post I was hoping to read.. I always wanted to volunteer for NGOs and I have been searching for the right one. But I had a feeling that maybe I am not ready for it yet. Your post was very informative and now I know that NGO work is no casual thing.It has made me understand the seriousness of the situation and now I am really gonna put my heart into it. Thanx a lot Bhavana. You are awesome!!
I am so glad this helped Neenu! I hope I did not scare you. It is a beautiful work and I always have enjoyed it more than anything else. But it is also a technique that I am learning with time.
Bhavana,
Your post is very powerful & the tips are nicely compiled.
I agree with you on doing the homework before starting the volunteering since I am one of those who follow it. 🙂
Now we know whom to get in touch with. 🙂
Nisha, glad and kudos to you for not only volunteering and but volunteering with care!!!
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informative post for every individual i think, bcoz one way or other, either through NGOs or on individual basis one does volenteer at times, only difference is few do it as a part of there work or hobby and others do it as it comes in there life within there family memebers n friends….
i wish i could do it on regular basis at some point of my life…..
thanks for sharing this…..:)
I hope you do Irfan!!! Thank you for reading and responding so thoughtfully!
Rachna, this is utterly interesting to me as I have thought about volunteering in various things before but as you say it is one thing to want to and another to actually do it. I especially enjoy the part of cultural sensitivity…such a good reminder at all times actually but I can see how if one acted in certain, condescending ways (without being aware of it) that the people they are volunteering to help may feel as though they are…well…being condescended to rather than helped as equals. Very interesting!
Thank you Colleen for finding points of connection and interest. Yes, sensitivity piece is often glossed over in volunteering. It is sometimes brazen. But this is the thing–charity pleases the giver, while volunteering pleases the given. We have to choose what we want to do.
Ah and that distinction is so true, Bhavana. Charity pleases the giver and volunteering pleases the given more than the giver.
Wow. Bhavana and Rachna – thank you. When I was in the US on an H4, I have volunteered too, at a school to teach Math to 5th and 6th graders, at an education center to train foreign immigrants at computers and at a library. But this post has given me a whole new perspective – to be able to see what goes into it from the other end of the table. I had never given thought to it. The school opportunity – I left doing that after a couple of months because I found it too much to get up early in the mornings and do something that I dont get paid for. Shameful of me, but I never thought that students would have gotten attached too. Every time there’s a new face, they need to adjust. With every growing year, I understand some of my past actions and how I can make it better. This post makes me take the whole volunteering thing so much more seriously.
Deepa, your ability to self-reflect and then open up here is touching, to say the least. I wonder how many people succeed in doing that! More power to you, girl!!!
I am glad this post helps you in some ways. Much love to you, Deepa!
great eye-opener post on Volunteering. I haven’t done volunteering in India but have co-ordinated for sending volunteers. At the end of the day, this job of volunteering gives a sheer joy and a sense of job satisfaction isn’t it? Nice post Rachna!
Yes, it does. It is a more powerful motivator than any money earned–seriously!!!
Valueble and informative..Thanks for the very nice post..:-)
am so glad:)
I am glad that u are a part of such a gr8 thing and this inspires a lottt..Ultimately u always inspires me with ur lovely posts 🙂
Rachna does write lovely posts on this blog–her blogspace is inspiring!!! Thanks to her for being able to join in for this post:)
Thank you Kala and Bhavana for such kind words.
I somehow skipped this post for later and totally forgot about it. Good that I found something I had been searching for. I always wanted to volunteer, but then, not sure as to what to do or where to start. I had been thinking about wknd fostering, and again I was afraid if it would be too much to handle. Can you throw in some ideas for me and my 9 yr old to do together? (I want to include him for sure) or do I have to contact Red Cross? Just not sure. please do let me know. And you are doing a great job. It needs a lot of commitment to do what you are doing. Highly appreciate you for that. Thank you Rachna for having such a wonderful informative post.
Found in Folsom, you don’t want to do fostering of kids as yet. There is a huge process to get into that program and after that also you need to really train yourself so that you can foster with a certain detachment.
My suggestions would be–take your kiddo to work at pet adoption shelters for few hrs in the weekend–pets need someone to walk them, play with them, and shelters need help. It is a lovely work.
Or a soup kitchen where you can either prepare or serve food.
You can also join the Big Brother Big Sister program so that your kid grows up with empathy.
Yes, it does need commitment or needs anger or pain:):) One often has selfish reasons for volunteering!
Thank you so much. Will look into those programs and see which works out our schedule. Wish me good luck…:)
Good luck!
What a brilliant post!
Indeed volunteering does bring in joy. Working with an NGO for over a decade has actually been a wonderful experience.
Yes,I agree, change happens, pace is rather slow but steady.
Oh I am so happy–another person who has worked in this area for long:) Thank you so much for supporting this article through your presence and evidence!
Good post Bhavana, Rachna,
This is something that everybody who talks of volunteering should read. It’ll help them look into what they can do and how. I’m sure it’ll inspire many to get into volunteering.
Bhavana, you’re right when you say — it is one thing to say you care, one thing to say you want to do something, and a whole different thing to actually do it.
And how you do it makes a big difference too.
True, true, D. How you do it also makes a big difference! Some people can do it but after some time lose perspective ang get entangled with pride and self-importance. Dangerous times!
One has to do something, if he really means it. It is not right to be one in the group as also participated.
True, Rajesh!!!:)
I am glad that i was directed to this post via Zephyr’s blog.Bhavna my respect for you has multiplied manifold…only now have i come to know what all you are doing,& how well!This is just the beginning-i am going to pester you for some guidance regarding my own NGO.
Thank you Rachna & Bhavna.
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Hahaha Induji…It will be my pleasure. But please do not expect much: dogs that bark often do just that:):)