Do you volunteer? If not do you ever think you should?

I do, but I don't think that I "should". I think that's not a useful way to relate to charity or volunteer work.

Someone who really has enough -- i.e. they are satisfied, and have a sense of "overflowing" with energy, love, or compassion, etc., will naturally want to share that in some way that relieves some of the suffering in the world. It's a gift, but it's also just a natural expression of being human.

I once saw a mother duck trying to cross a busy street in town, with a half dozen ducklings trying to keep up. One of the ducklings couldn't get up the curb, and mom seemed powerless to solve the problem, she sat their quacking her head off. A woman pulled over, got out of her car, picked up the duckling, and set it on the curb.

What was that? Did she think she should save the duckling to fulfill her quota of being heroic? I don't think so. She just couldn't bear the little bugger getting run over... her compassion moved her.

That's not like "should". "Should" is obligation, burden, duty. You don't owe the world your excess time and effort. If you sense your connection, the action follows naturally.

I have volunteered before because the judge ordered me to. It turned out to be a very fulfilling experience when I look back at the memories.

I volunteer all the time, but I do it in my own special ways. It all adds up to the same thing even if my time isn't spent in a soup kitchen. But I don't do it because I think I "should". +5

Yes, I do. I was involved in the Residents Association of my township for seven years.

I have volunteered for most of my life (ever since my Mum first thrust a collecting tin in my hand when I was a child). I am taking a break as of last weekend until September to focus on other things though.

I do not think that a person "should" volunteer. I think it is a good thing to do if your heart is in it though, and it is very rewarding. Not just in terms of personal satisfaction and the life-long friendships you can make; but also in terms of experience, networking and something for the CV - if that is the only way you can be motivated to do it =)

Anyone who serves on some sort of a committee is a volunteer, as well as anyone who actually physically works for a charity or such. Society would be stuffed without volunteers who put aside even a couple of hours a month to do something that they don't HAVE to do!

I actually work at a job for children with special needs and I see a lot of people volunteering to help with our local Special Olympics. I think that it's great exposure for people of any age to get out there and help out. The people who help us end up having such a great time and really come to enjoy working with the kids, as do I.

yes I am going out to Lesotho in South Africa to help build an orphanage/baby care unit in August and I also work a full-time job for a cancer charity for which I do voluntary work too. Everyone should give a hand, it makes you feel good when you know you help other people.

No I don't. I usually work 40+ hours a week, have a baby at home and expecting twins. I do NOT have time to volunteer. Now I am off work on bed rest so I can't. If I had the time I would. I would work at CASA or the Battered Women's Shelter.

i volunteered at my moms church some but i do think i should do more

I have volunteered in the past but am not currently doing any voluntary work.

yes, i volunteer and i think everyone should want to help in their community.

at our local high school, 25 hours of volunteering is a requirement for graduation

yes - started at 15

Volunteering was not something you did in the service you could end up with latrine duty! But giving of oneself without thought of reward is a gift to another, whearther it be time, labor, money, or just an ear for them to talk to. it is all giving. +5

I used to years ago. I'm not sure how to put this, but I was taken advantage of by the organization by people who bilked not only me, but the whole community.
I know not all organizations are alike, but it put a very bitter taste in my mouth for volunteering.
I might volunteer again if I find the time and the right opportunity comes along. I have volunteers time online though. Designed a web site for a neighborhood group who trashed the site later because the new "web master" that took my place didn't understand extremely simple concepts like ssi, etc..He reverted it to a basic blank page style.. if you call that style.

i guess im a minority, but i think anyone who is able to, should. volunteering is not just at a soup kitchen but can be many things from helping out in an office to soup kitchen to working with those in trouble with the law ...ANYTHING! also it could be as little or as much time as you can donate. but i think if you have the ability you should, it makes society a better plae.

I was taught to never volunteer. If you do, the others say thank goodness he put his name forward, now I don't have to. In the Services they call for volunteers and then say, you, you and you so, volunteer or not, you are it.