Making a Difference
To continue on with last weeks theme of school stories. I thought I would share two of my favorite speeches that I gave in Speech Class. The first one I will discuss is the important of volunteering using persuasive speech and the other one will talk about International Relations using information speech.
It should be noted that this is an old post I am re-sharing and I will also be splitting the two speeches into two separate posts.
Using Monroe's Motivated Sequence, here is the speech:
As a child, I was hesitant to volunteer because I was scared of the circumstances that I would see. But years later, I realized there is nothing to be afraid of. Instead, there is plenty to be thankful for, which is why, you should volunteer today! Volunteering allows you to improve someone else’s life all while improving your own. As presented by CNCS, it states how those who have. “A strong relationship between volunteering and health have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression than those who do not" (Nationalservice.org). Volunteering opens door to help others who are in greater need than you. It can be so many things, such as participating in Habit for Humanity, which is when you will build a house for a family in beed. Or help prepare a meal for the homeless through the Salvation Army or your local church. In addition to those, another favorite in school was Feed My Starving Children where groups of individuals work together to get the most boxes of food packed within the time limit. Although it can be hard work, it creates a fun atmosphere.
No matter your passion, you should be able to find something out there that interests you. Start slow. Even helping for a half an hour can give you a boost beyond belief. So, be the different in someone’s life today! You will create long-lasting friendships, a peace of mind, body, and soul, and it can assist you with your career. Plus, it is an unforgettable experience!
Meanwhile, one of the most common reasons why Americans do not volunteer is because they feel disconnected. So instead, people will chose distractions because they feel more comfortable than walking into a situation where they are nervous or afraid. At least that is what David Eisner has found, Head at the Corporation for National Community Service. "People who chose not to give one hour a week to volunteer usually spend at least eight hours more a week watching television. He says that people with fewer connections, through their neighborhood or place of work, for example, are less likely to feel engaged in their communities" (The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 2008, 27 July). Another reason people do not volunteer is because after going to school or work all day, the last thing people want to do is to be busy with something else. A lot of times, I want to come home and relax. And while this is understand, there is an easy way to fix this problem. Find a volunteer experience that fits your needs. After all, there are all kinds of different opportunities out there. There are ones that only meet once a month such as the Soup Kitchen. Growing up it was always the third Saturday of every month. Then, there are food pantries, usually they do not require constant hours. For example, at a previous church that my family and I attended, their Food Pantry was every Tuesday between 12pm-7pm. You did not have to sign up ahead of time. You would go when you could. All volunteers were welcome. In addition to that, there are several other types of opportunities, some occur more frequently while some require a year’s worth of time. For instance, if you want to be a mentor to a kid at the Boys and Girls Club of America, they usually require a year of participation. All in all, I would start by following your passions, then, checking to see what is in your area(s). And finally, figuring out which opportunity works best with your schedule. Once you begin the journey, you will experience the benefits that come with volunteering.
Now one reason helping people is beneficial is because it connects you to other people and helps build skills for later in life. According to the 2010 US News & World Report, "Volunteering offers enhanced social networks and a way to stay active in the community, and with that, a sense of belonging" (U.S. News & World Report, 2010). It is also meaningful because by helping others you create relationships whether it be long-lasting friendships or future job connections. According to 2009 Access, "Volunteer activities can strengthen social ties that protect individuals from isolation during difficult times, while the experience of helping others can lead to a sense of greater self-worth and trust" (Access, 2009). By doing this, you share an unbreakable bond because you both came for the same reason. At the least, it can provide you with some , it is easier to branch out and make more friends and contact" (Volunteering and it's Surprising Benefits, 2013, Sept). In turn, it will teach you how to be more open-minded as well as how to communicate effectively. Therefore, you should start volunteering today as you will learn new skills and gain new friendships.
Another way volunteering can help you, is that it is good for your mind, body, and soul. Doing good for others will assist the mind as it combats depression. According to a Corporation for National Community Service report, "High levels of oxytocin decrease stress, which in turn, helps ward off illness and keeps the body healthy. Volunteering also elevates levels of the body's opiates, like endorphins, or 'happy hormones,' and dopamine" (U.S. News & World Report, 2010). Usually when depression hits, you are feeling down and all alone but with the 'happy hormones' you will come alive. In the same Corporation for National Community Service report, it states, "Volunteers reap physical and emotional benefits, including less stress and depression, and live longer lives" (U.S. News and World Report, 2010). Overall, volunteering can help you by improving your self-confidence. As Help Guide states, that by "Volunteering you are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view on your life and future goals" (Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits, 2013, Sept). Which is why, volunteering should be a priority. There are many benefits.
Next up, volunteering is beneficial as is the experience can open new doors in the future. There are many ways that volunteering improves your life, but one of the best ways is by creating meeting new people. In the 2013 article Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits, it states, "Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long term commitment. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could be beneficial to your career". While volunteering puts you in a good position for a job, it also teaches you valuable job skills. "Just because volunteer work is unpaid it does not mean the skills you learn are basic" (Volunteering and it's Surprising Benefits, 2013, Sept). Volunteering taught me many things over the years. I learned to communicate more effectively with people from various backgrounds, how to track statistics and look at demographics, as well as, becoming more organized and having great time management skills. There is a lot to learn.
At one point, I participated in One Billion Rising/The Long Red Line that raises awareness for Domestic Violence. During that experience, I was able to meet so many different people, hear their stories, and stand up to make a difference. From then on, I learned that it is important to use your voice. By doing so, you can create more awareness and reach more people to support your cause. Another example would be when I was an advocate with Student Government at Elgin Community College. We participated in a conference at the Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, which included voicing our concerns and providing feedback on legislation. We spoke directly with representatives about the positive and/or negative impact certain legislation could cause. Overall, you can learn valuable and transferable skills by taking time out of your schedule to volunteer today.
Last but not least, volunteering is a fun and memorable experience to be a part. It is truly an experience! And you are more than likely to achieve great things. As it states in the article, Volunteering and it's Surprising Benefits, "While doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be relaxing and energizing escape from your day-to-day life routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with the renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life" (Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits, 2013, Sept). Not only is it a memorable experience, but it can be life-changing for you as well as the individuals you are assisting. Be the difference maker today!
Now as you have heard, volunteering has many benefits, but it can also have some drawbacks. An example of this would be that it can be challenging to fit in our daily lives. If you are currently attending school, my suggestion would be to see if your high school or college offers any credit for volunteering. According to The College Board, “Schools offer academic credit for volunteer through service learning--a program that offers hands-on learning through service to the community" (The College Board, 20 March 2014). And one way to go about doing so, would be to take GSD 150-103 here at ECC. It is a one credit class and is formally known as S.E.R.V.E. S.E.R.V.E. as described on the ECC portal as it "Provides students with opportunities to participate in community service experiences. Students will select and be placed in an agency based on their skills, knowledge, and interest. Opportunities may include, but are not limited to: tutoring, literacy training, neighborhood improvement, increasing environmental safety, animal shelter care, assisting the elderly or disabled, and providing mental health care" (AccessECC Portal, 20 March 2014). If you are looking to join the class, you can find it under COL--General Student Development in Student Registration. Once there, you will see all the College 101 classes. GSD 150 will be at the bottom (2nd to last). There is no prerequisite or anything. All you have to do is sign up as long as it is not too late in the semester. If that does not work, you can always stop by the Student Life office and someone will be able to assist you from there.
I remember my first semester on campus, I joined because a friend recommended it to me. Katie Storey, who is in charge of running the program, at the time, had me come in and discuss my interests. Once I informed her that I had no idea where to start, she gave me a packet of 20-25 choices. Of the choices within the packet, the locations were all close by ECC. Also, when I participated in the class, it was not mandatory to choose one from the list; it was merely a suggestion. So, you are able to recommend your own suggestion. Once you know where you want to begin your journey of volunteering, let the department head of Student Life know and will check to see if they are willing to participate in the program. If they do accept this unique opportunity, you get your credit and a great experience!
Meanwhile, if you are someone who works, my best suggestion is finding the perfect opportunity for you. Start small and slow. Dip your feet into one of the many opportunities that interests you and find what best works for you. Here are some links to help you get started:
https://www.illinois.gov/employment/volunteering.html
https://www.volunteermatch.org/
https://serve.illinois.gov/
In conclusion, volunteering is a win-win situation. Volunteering is extremely beneficial, which is why you should go out and help in your community today! Volunteering can change your life and make a difference in someone else's. Helping someone in need, not only makes an impact on someone’s life but it introduces you to new people and new experiences, it is good for your mind, body, and soul, it can help advance your career, and it is about creating long-lasting memories. Remember the intangible benefits alone, which is summed by Corporation of National and Community of Service "Pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment... In addition, when we share our time and talents we: solve problems, strengthen communities, improve lives, connect to others, and transform our own lives" (Corporation of National and Community of Service, 20 March 2014). So, there you have it, go out and make a difference today!!
As a signature of this blog, I want to end each post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness”. After all, there is no such time as the present to “Inspire Those Who Inspire You”. Passing on kindness does not need to be this big, elaborate ordeal. You could smile at a stranger, compliment something you love about someone’s outfit or personality, tell someone how proud you are of them or that you thinking of them. Even small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on someone. I know it does for me. So with that, have a beautiful day!
