Some people volunteer because they make time to do what they want to do, rather than what they have to do. Some volunteer to share their good fortune while others give their time in gratitude for what they have received.

Volunteering is a great way to put free time to good use. It can help you meet new people and can even help you grow as an individual. Volunteering will introduce you to new experiences. It will give you a new perspective on your own, personal, problems and challenges. It will build your self-confidence and self-esteem and, wow, does it ever feel good!

Volunteering fulfills a deep-seated human need to be needed. It will give you pride in your ability toi share your knowledge and abilities with others. Volunteering will help you keep your body and mind active. Volunteering is a great way to stay healthy -- physically, mentally and emotionally. And, finally, volunteering is fun!

It is you responsibility:
To accept an assignment of your choice with only as much responsibility as you can handle.
To respect confidences of your sponsoring organization and those of the recipients of your services.
To fulfill your commitment or notify your supervisor early enough that a substitute can be found.
To follow guidelines established by the organization.
To decline work not acceptable to you; not let biases interfere with job performance.
To use time wisely and not interfere with performance of others.
To continue only as long as you can be useful.
To stipulate limitations: what out-of-pocket costs you can afford, when it is convenient to receive calls.
To provide feedback, suggestions and recommendations to supervisor and staff if these might increase effectiveness of the program.

It is your right:
To be assigned a volunteer position that is worthwhile and challenging, with freedom to use existing skills or develop new ones.
To be trusted with confidential information that will help you carry out your assignment.
To be kept informed through newsletters, attendance at staff meetings, memoranda, etc., about what is going on in your organization.
To receive orientation, training and supervision for the volunteer position you accept and to know why you are asked to do a particular job.
To expect your time will not be wasted by lack of planning, coordination or cooperation within
the organization.
To know whether your work is effective and how it can be improved: to have a chance to increase understanding of yourself, others and your community.
To be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs, if it is the only way you can volunteer.
To expect valid recommendation and encouragement from your supervisor.
To be given appropriate recognition in the form of awards, certificate of achievement, etc., but  even more important, recognition of your day-to-day contributions by other participants in the  volunteering relationship.
To ask for a new assignment within your organization. 

Two-thirds (66%) of Canadians aged 15 and over reported belonging to a group or organization.   The most common types of organizational memberships were in sports and recreation (31% of Canadians reported memberships), professional associations and unions (27%), religious organizations or groups (17%), and cultural, education or hobby organizations (13%).

Volunteering in 2004:  Key findings
11.8 million Canadians (45% of the population aged 15 and older) volunteered their time to charities and other nonprofit organizations.
Volunteers contributed almost 2 billion volunteer hours to organizations — the equivalent of 1 million full time jobs.
 Canadian volunteers contributed an average of 168 hours in 2004.
11% of Canadians (the 25% of volunteers who contributed 180 hours or more) accounted for 77% of volunteer hours.
Canadians volunteered most often with sports and recreation, social services, education and research, and religious organizations.
Volunteer rates were highest among youth, those with university degrees, those with household incomes over $100,000, and those who attended religious services weekly.
The average hours volunteered was highest among seniors, those with lower levels of household income, and those who attended religious services weekly.
The rate of volunteering varied from a high of 54% in Saskatchewan to a low of 34% in Quebec.
The average hours volunteered varied from a high of 199 hours in British Columbia, to a low of 132 hours in Nunavut.
The top three reasons for volunteering were: to make a contribution to the community, to use one’s skills and experiences, and being affected by the cause supported by the organization.
83% of the population, aged 15 and older, helped others directly, without going through a charitable or other nonprofit organization.

For more information about volunteering go to www.volunteer.ca.