So, National Volunteer Week is winding down. It is one of my favorite weeks. I love recognizing how important volunteers are for our society. It is fun for my classroom, too. I always take the time to thank my students for all the volunteering they do. Often with cookies (see below). While many see volunteers as free labor, I think this attitude is intensified with students. Some people seem to think they will do anything for the experience. Or that students have to volunteer for school credit or to keep their scholarships.

While in some ways, these assumptions may be true for some students, I think students can bring so much more than that to an organization when they volunteer. They can bring energy, enthusiasm, and new ideas. Need help with your social media? They know how to use it and many are willing to help out. Need to engage younger people with your organization? Students can not only bring their friends, but ideas of how to attract other young people.

My undergraduate students are required to volunteer for at least two hours during the semester. I encourage them to find a new organization with which to volunteer. After donating their time, they submit a reflective essay about the experience. I continue to be amazed by the number of students who find this new experience one that really impacts their lives. Their eyes are opened to their community and a number of them make new connections. So, have a cookie in their honor. And I hope your National Volunteers Week has been a good one. (Photo by Carson Suite)