If you wonder why it is so universal for new volunteers to want short-term assignments, you shouldn't be puzzled. After all, we live in a world that has expects everything to be quick, if not instant. Consider:
- How we take the speed of global communications for granted. E-mail zips around the globe, but we also want instant messaging, smart phone texting, and who knows what's next?
- Television shows begin and resolve a dramatic incident in one hour.
- We have disposable everything - "planned obsolescence."
- Very few people earn gold watches after 25 years on a job (assuming the job even stays around for 25 years) - and divorce has meant far fewer silver and gold wedding anniversaries!
So it's not surprising that people also want their volunteering to be fast. In addition, there are overwhelming demands on everyone's time. Here are some reasons so many of us feel time-deprived:
- We are never out of reach due to computers and smart phones - family, friends and employers expect unending accessibility.
- When we do have free time, we often spend hours online socializing, shopping, whatever.
- The financial crisis is forcing many into extra jobs and delayed retirement.
- Divorce creates two households and double the chores, as well as scheduled parenting (and guilt over not enough time with the kids).
- Many are also caring for aging parents.
Now, along with expectations of speed and stress from a sense of too little time, add the traditional image of volunteering that many in the public hold. They believe that volunteering means:
- A steady commitment of time on a set schedule - endlessly
- Filling an unpaid job slot with defined activities
- Wasted hours in meetings
- A bottomless pit in which a little bit of service leads to additional requests for even more time
So...it turns out to be reasonable that volunteering must fit into the demands of people's lives. The good news is that most are well aware of the need for everyone to pitch in and help with important causes. They actually want to serve, but don't think they can. It's up to us to show how volunteering can not only fit into a busy schedule but be fun and useful, too. Position volunteering as skill and career development, or as a way to meet new friends (and even, potentially, lovers), or as whatever people don't think they have time to do. Help people to multi-task, such as doing volunteer work with their kids. Find ways for people to contribute their skills online or on their own schedule. Create short-term projects with a clear beginning and end. The good news is that all of these efforts get important work done and also foster evolving loyalty as satisfied people return willingly for new volunteer projects.