When Volunteering Becomes Too Much?
New Zealand volunteering statistics show women take on the majority of volunteer work. For me, this raises the following questions:
Are we doing too much?
Does our service to others actually serve ourselves?
Is our focus on volunteering perpetuating current gender pay gap issues?
Whether it be in the household in taking on more of the family load, within industry associations or community boards, or simply volunteering in the workplace for ‘non-promotable tasks’ (being tasks unlikely to contribute to your career advancement) – volunteering can have significant consequences. Less visible, impactful and unpaid roles, if disproportionate in the overall picture of what we are doing, can certainly impact not only our career advancement but our financial position and on occasion, our health and mental wellbeing. Often, our volunteering can take over our day job.
I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to what I am talking about:
Assuming the family load.
Taking on the traditional ‘office housework’, including team management and administration of client files and projects, playing the support role.
Participation, on an unpaid basis, in community or industry groups or boards, in driving our passion for change for the benefit of others (which may include our children), with a focus on making a difference.
Volunteering, simply to get the job done; together with leading diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainability workplace initiatives. Why is it that these roles are primarily led by women?
Now I’m not suggesting we stop volunteering, as there are many valid reasons for making time for a higher purpose including opportunities to try something new, skill development, resume building, networking and doing good by paying it forward. What I am suggesting however is that we mindfully test, on an ongoing basis, whether these volunteer roles continue to support our own success and wellbeing, without any guilt of this being a selfish consideration.
In my own governance role in supporting many groups, including community organisations, to function more effectively and in a healthy manner, I have come across many women who have given too much of themselves. Pouring hours into organisation’s often with complex issues, serving communities with increasing demands, dealing with funding challenges and increased regulation while trying to work out the best course of action with little support or guidance. Their driver being to ‘do good’ in supporting communities or purposeful causes. The demands on their time however often exceeds their resources with the eventual overwhelm leading to questions around their value and the level of appreciation of their contribution. All taking a toll, not only on the individual, in respect of health, mental wellbeing and financial issues, together with the loss of other opportunities while they are being consumed by these roles, but often also on that person’s family.
It is not unusual to also have a misguided sense of loyalty to our chosen cause or role hold us back, keeping us in difficult scenarios. Where we forget that loyalty does not mean forever.
We must consider ourselves in looking to serve others. In saying that of course I am also speaking to myself!
From my own reflections and experience, I do think it is important that before we volunteer for a role we:
-take some time to carefully consider the role before we accept. Being clear on what is driving our decision. It not enough to be simply in awe of a passionate, cause driven mission, role or opportunity to help.
– get clarity on matters including:
– what is involved?
-what are the expectations of the role?
-does the role actually serve us?
-regularly testing our volunteer roles to ensure they continue to serve us.
When did you last consider and test your current roles – maybe it’s time?
