Empathy and Volunteerism

Reflections on the article by Nicholas Wade, “We May Be Born with an Urge to Help” from the New York Times science section, December 1. 2009, at www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/science/01human.html.

What immediately came to mind was a conversation I had over a laid back game of Uno with a guest at the local homeless shelter this past week. He is one week out of a month plus stay at the local halfway house for alcohol and drug addictions. He was telling me about his experience at the House and how much he appreciated the process and staff. He shared that his counselor had been a young woman from a wealthy Chicago home. At first he really wanted someone who had recovered from an addiction as his counselor because they would know more what he was going through. He said she told him that her addiction was helping people like him. This last statement had stayed with me mostly because I know this is true. She emphathized with his situation and used this to help him. I feel so lucky to wake up daily and have an opportunity to work with people like this counselor who strive to make a difference in this world. But why do they do it—it is empathy or deeper?

In reflecting on this article, I think this need to help is innate…and I also believe we are a society that volunteers because if makes us feel good to help others. Maybe this is altruistic…but what would it look like if we were able to tap EVERYONE’s innate need to help and give to one another?

Recently, I heard Rick Lynch (http://www.ricklynchassociates.com/about.htm) speak to the future of volunteerism. It was interesting as he pointed out that the HR model volunteering that was established in the 60s is no longer working. Volunteers now want…
-jobs they want to do
-jobs with an end point
-jobs without a lot of structure
-jobs the volunteer controls
-jobs the volunteer can grow from
-jobs that are fun (things people feel good about themselves)
-jobs that aren't 'jobs'

From working with a variety of nonprofits and volunteering myself, I agree. This means a heightened level of individualism and engagement for anyone leading volunteers. Elise’s question if empathy can be taught is important in this equation as it is up to these leaders to engage the volunteer in tapping into their empathy and appropriately directing it.