There is more to volunteering than you think. I sat down with Mary Lynn Perry, the coordinator for the City of Sacramento’s award winning volunteer program, and author of the free “Get Involved: A How-to Volunteer Guide for Parents, Teachers and Youth”.  She shared the many benefits of volunteering:

1) Gain New Skills: You can acquire professional work experience, whether you have just graduated from high school or college, want to change your career, or transition into retirement. Mary Lynn says: “A lot of people come into a volunteer experience looking to switch a career … they want to try out something for future employment or a part time job”. Molly Lynch, volunteer crewmember at Access Sacramento adds: “I share my skill and technical abilities in exchange for complete creative control of what I want to do. I work in both radio and tv already … I guess it's good practice calling the shots”.

2) Live Your Passion: You can finally do something with that pent up talent you have. Have you always wanted to work in the classroom but have been in retail for years? Volunteering can be the way to use that energy. There are so many places to volunteer. You can find the right place to channel your passion.

3) Social Networking: Most jobs that become available are known via social networks BEFORE they are posted. Networking can give you a competitive advantage in today’s tight job market. Mary Lynn notes “Someone tells you about a job way before it is advertised”. Jemuel Johnson, another volunteer shares: “Access Sacramento has been a great way for me to meet helpful people and understand media.” Volunteering is particularly valuable for individuals who tend to be introverts - when left to their own devices they hide in their home. Networking is essential for the newly retired who no longer have daily social interaction. The sudden loss of an “identity” and daily relationships can be devastating. Volunteering is also a way to meet that special someone, such as “Singles for Service”.

4) Personal Achievement: By helping others, you feel like you have accomplished something. Making a positive difference is always good medicine.

Mary Lynn (mperry@cityofsacramento.org) shared many resources for more information:

• City of Sacramento Volunteer Website: www.cityofsacramento.org/volunteers 
• Volunteer Center of Sacramento: www.volunteersac.org
• Hands on Sacramento: www.handsonsacto.org
• National: www.volunteermatch.org
• Mayor Johnson’s Volunteer site: www.volunteersac.com

I would like to offer a special thanks to my volunteer crew who work on “Good Work NOW!”: Daniel J. Lorenzo (director), Tony Frontino, Jemuel Johnson, Molly Lynch and Marge McCreary (lights, cameras and audio).

QUESTIONS FOR READERS:

Mary Lynn Perry and I encourage readers to respond to the following questions to keep the discussion going:

1) What benefits have you gained from volunteering? 2) If you don't volunteer now, how might you in the future? 3) Do you have any questions or comments about volunteering?

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Good Work NOW! is a weekly, local public access TV talk show to help viewers find and create good work.  The interview with Mary Lynn airs on Sunday, August 9, 7:30 - 8:00 PM on Channel 17.  A 10 minute preview/highlights segment is available at www.goodworknow.com.