Volunteering at the Heart of Community

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By Barbra Fairclough

Humans are biologically wired for generosity according to the study, “The Science of Generosity,” by the Greater Good Science Centre at UC Berkeley (May 2018). The report also indicates that social and cultural as well as individual factors can also come into play.

Volunteering can be a formal activity with an organization, or informal and expressed in neighbourly ways, like reading to children, picking up groceries or driving someone to an appointment. Volunteer Canada recognizes volunteers across the country every April and this year we took time to speak to three South Shuswap volunteers who shared their motivations and interests in volunteering. Here is what we learned.

Janet Pattinson is deeply involved with environmental and community initiatives in the Shuswap region. Her volunteerism has followed her interests. Janet says, “volunteering brings you close to those who have the same interests as you and you have a chance to meet up with many diverse people.” Moving here from Calgary was a transition into retirement. “Working for the community was the next step from working,” says Janet. Always enthusiastic about animals, one of Janet’s first roles as a volunteer was cleaning cats and dogs at the SPCA. Both Janet and her husband have been committed volunteers in various volunteer roles.

She found her time volunteering at the Sorrento Hall was a form of community building. “Volunteering has to do with meeting a need that has not been met otherwise.”

“I come from a family that has always volunteered. It becomes a habit. The atmosphere in which you grow up makes a huge difference.”

Janet has also volunteered for the BC Green Party and the Shuswap Naturalist Club. She learned that “Two groups collaborating can accomplish more by multiplying their efforts.”

Janet acknowledges the necessity of volunteer work and finds it unfortunate that it is necessary for basic human needs. With virtually all services in the South Shuswap provided by volunteers and their respective organizations, this is an important reflection.

Jane Stephenson is a long time South Shuswap volunteer. The path to her volunteering was through her participation as a student at the Acoustic Jam at Carlin Hall. Jane, and her husband and musical partner Larry, both attended this weekly gathering of musicians.

With emerging friendships and growing familiarity with Carlin Hall, eventually they were both drawn into volunteering at the Hall and soon became board members. When a need for a new volunteer Jam leader presented itself, Jane and Larry took up the role. Together they led this musical gathering for nine years.

Jane quickly acknowledges, “Volunteering is a reciprocal thing if you allow it to be. When I organized the concerts at the hall, I would look out at the audience, and I could feel their enjoyment. You could just see the people absorbing it and taking it in.”

For Jane, volunteering has deep roots. “You shovel snow for your neighbours, and it branches out from there. My mom volunteered for the swim team, so volunteering was something definitely from my childhood. However you volunteer, it is an expansion of being neighbourly.”

Jane observes that it seems harder to find younger folks to step in as our generation grows older. She explains that “Many hands make light work. It’s looking to do something good in your community.”

Merrilee Trask is a long time volunteer with the Notch Hill Town Hall Association and has been involved with many events and such. Originally from the Coast, she has had a variety of volunteer roles over the years.

The Sorrento Lions have benefited from her efforts with pancake breakfasts, Canada Day and other events along the way. Merrilee speaks of the things you can learn by volunteering alongside people who have different and varied experiences. “I meet people and find connection. You’re impressed with people’s skills and the wealth of knowledge. It’s amazing, the talents of others.”

Merrilee is grateful for the opportunity to volunteer. “I am happy helping and making new friends. To have such an opportunity with such a historical site, you don’t have that everywhere. I would recommend anyone come and join us. They will get a lot out of it.”