To me, volunteerism involves committing time and effort to an activity whose results positively impact on an individual, an organisation, or a society. Whether helping out in the kitchen of a shelter for the homeless, ushering guests to their seats during a film festival, conducting research on how art or media affect specific members of society, or teaching voluntarily facilitates:
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co-operation, collaboration, and empathy
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flexilibity in scheduling, the extent of commitment, the frequency of service, and the type of project engaged in
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creativity, interactivity, and problem-solving
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self-initiative, self-direction, skills development, and accountability
In the last two decades, I have volunteered with organizations in the areas of multiculturalism, youth advocacy, education, and film festivals. Such experiences help to develop my self-confidence by exposing me to a range of personalities, leadership styles, and organizational needs, and thereby increasing my capacity to cope, adjust, and learn further. Such experiences also allow me to share the knowledge I gained through education and apply them in areas where they could be of benefit. In a very real way, therefore, knowledge that had its origin in theory can be practically applied. Specifically, I have volunteered:
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for 3 years, as a general member of the University of Winnipeg Filipino Students' Association which promoted, to the student body, the Filipino heritage through special events
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for 3 years, as a general member then secretary of the Manitoba Ethnocultural Youth Committee, a group focused on youth advocacy in the context of human rights, the arts, and political activism
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for 3 years, as co-ordinator of the Sumoto High School English Club in Hyogo, Japan, which provided Japanese students with opportunities to use English. A component of this role was to coach students interested in competing in the local English Speech Contest
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for 6 years, as general member, then newsletter co-ordinator, then president of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan JET Alumni Association whose aim was to promote the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. A major component of these roles was recruitment of potential Programme participants who underwent a rigorous and lengthy application process -
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for 1 year, as kitchen helper with "Out of the Cold", a shelter project sponsored by a multi-denominational association that provides food and overnight accomodation during the 21 coldest weeks of the year. -
To review some of my work with a few organisations, click on "Related Links" to the right.
© 2006-2009 Thomas Robles. All rights reserved.
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