This area needs more ‘Pick Me…Choose Me’ volunteers

by Mary Jo David

When it comes to requests for volunteering, do you align with “Grey’s Anatomy,” Nike, or Nancy Reagan? By that I mean, when you are asked to volunteer for something do you respond with an enthusiastic, “Pick Me…Choose Me!”? Or are you more likely to volunteer reluctantly with a “Just Do It” attitude or stand firm with a “Just say No” response?

Nonprofits and volunteer organizations are constantly looking for new volunteers to join their ranks. Rural communities like the Stockbridge area benefit from being a small, tight community where many people know one another. At the same time, this means a smaller pool of people are available for volunteering. It’s not unusual to find people who volunteer for two, three, and even more organizations locally. And that can lead to burnout and put the associated organizations at risk.

Local organizations feel the pressure

Andrea Stickney feels the pressure looming for the Stockbridge Area Arts Council, whose volunteer numbers have been dwindling.

“SAAC may be holding its very last art show in June if we fail in recruiting new volunteer members,” Stickney said. “After over 30 years of productions and performances, Arts Council members have an amazing amount of knowledge to share, and, after a collective count of almost 40 decades among the existing board members, this current crew is ready to pass it on, including our enthusiasm!”

Stockbridge and the surrounding area are home to photographers, painters, poets, musicians, and more. Why, then, is it so difficult to find new blood willing to take up the SAAC baton? Hopefully, when faced with a future minus an arts council, some new volunteers will step up before Stickney finishes dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on the SAAC obituary.

The Stockbridge Community News is another local nonprofit that depends on volunteerism to remain sustainable.

“Volunteers and innovation are what keeps this newspaper viable,” said Joan Tucker, SCN board president. “We have a tendency to get focused on our bottom line, and what organization doesn’t have financial concerns? But when we are lucky enough to find new volunteers, we know they’ll bring innovative ideas and experience, and these lead to renewed energy and creativity.”

Reap the personal benefits of volunteering

Keep in mind that it’s not always easy for a person to seek out or ask people to volunteer. So when they do, consider taking the time to thoughtfully weigh your answer before responding.

More important than your final answer is the process you put into making your decision. Often, people respond with a knee-jerk reaction to a request for their time; they respond “not interested” before even considering the request. Your time is valuable—no doubt. But when was the last time you considered some of the personal benefits of volunteering, benefits that are well documented based on studies and surveys?

• Increasing your employment potential: According to DoubleTheDonation.com, individuals who regularly volunteer have a 27% higher chance of finding employment.
• Boosting your mental well-being and sense of self: In Forbes’ “7 Ways To Spend Your Time To Maximize Your Happiness,” Dr. Tracy Brower, sociologist, explains that giving of yourself is one path to happiness. She also mentions a correlation between generosity and happiness.
• Making friends: As people age, it can become harder to make friends, especially if their social lives had previously revolved around raising kids. It takes time to build new friendships, and volunteering provides the structure for that endeavor by bringing people with common interests together on a regular basis.
• Staying healthy: DoubleTheDonation.com also cites that people who regularly volunteer tend to spend fewer nights in the hospital.
• Living longer: In a December 2024 panel discussion about the surprising health benefits of giving back, Dr. Laura Kubzansky of Harvard shared that volunteers “are less likely to develop heart disease; live longer; and have better cognitive health.”

Nonprofits figure prominently in life here in the Stockbridge area. Whether it’s at church, at Community Outreach, the Senior Center, a farmer’s market, Scouting, the Arts Council, or reading this newspaper, you are likely reaping the benefits of volunteers who are willing to donate their time to nonprofits.

It’s not fair to assume you’re busier than the next guy. Many of those you see volunteering in the community began giving of their time back while they were juggling kids and work and paying off a new mortgage. Next time you’re asked, consider making it a two-way street: say “yes” to benefiting the community and benefiting yourself. Better yet—don’t wait to be asked. Reach out to a local organization today to see how you can help.