. Rather, they do it based on tradition or what kids are doing. For example, if a child comes home with a note asking his or her parents to participate in the PTA, there is a good chance they’ll do it because it’s what is expected. Or they’ll buy Girl Scout cookies or help with their child’s paper drive. It’s a very passive thing. It’s charity work, but it doesn’t take much thought or effort.

If you’re thinking about making an active

Most people don’t awaken in the morning and consciously decide that today is the day to become a better person. Generally, most people want to be better citizens, but they don’t consciously put together a plan for becoming a better person.

However, current trends indicate that this could be changing. Volunteerism, one of the best ways to become a better person, is up. Today there seems to be a heightened sense that our social fabric is fraying; that standard procedures and institutions are ineffective at solving problems; that individuals can make a difference. Whether its due to frustration, a sense of duty, or some other reason, more people, particularly more young people are responding to the need to volunteer by donating their time to a variety of charities and causes.

Recent surveys conducted by various philanthropic organizations have shown that half of all Americans over the age of 18, now say that they participate in some kind of volunteer service. These studies also revealed that when people become involved in helping someone in a state of need, they also enhance their own lives in many ways and experience heightened feelings of self-worth.

Even though 50 percent of adult Americans donate some time and effort to volunteer activities, plenty of volunteer opportunities go unfilled. The two most frequently cited reasons for not volunteering are: (1) “I’m too busy” and (2) “Nobody asked me.” Conversely, the number one reason people give for volunteering is because someone asked them to. In short, it’s a communications issue. People who haven’t been asked need to be nudged. People who say they have no time need a bigger nudge.

Most volunteering is done passively. In other words people don’t select charities based on need. Rather, they do it based on tradition or what kids are doing. For example, if a child comes home with a note asking his or her parents to participate in the PTA, there is a good chance they’ll do it because it’s what is expected. Or they’ll buy Girl Scout cookies or help with their child’s paper drive. It’s a very passive thing. It’s charity work, but it doesn’t take much thought or effort.

If you’re thinking about making an active c

s fraying; that standard procedures and institutions are ineffective at solving problems; that individuals can make a difference. Whether its due to frustration, a sense of duty, or some other reason, more people, particularly more young people are responding to the need to volunteer by donating their time to a variety of charities and causes.

Recent surveys conducted by various philanthropic organizations have shown that half of all Americans over the age of 18, now say that they participate in some kind of volunteer service. These studies also revealed that when people become involved in helping someone in a state of need, they also enhance their own lives in many ways and experience heightened feelings of self-worth.

Even though 50 percent of adult Americans donate some time and effort to volunteer activities, plenty of volunteer opportunities go unfilled. The two most frequently cited reasons for not volunteering are: (1) “I’m too busy” and (2) “Nobody asked me.” Conversely, the number one reason people give for volunteering is because someone asked them to. In short, it’s a communications issue. People who haven’t been asked need to be nudged. People who say they have no time need a bigger nudge.

Most volunteering is done passively. In other words people don’t select charities based on need. Rather, they do it based on tradition or what kids are doing. For example, if a child comes home with a note asking his or her parents to participate in the PTA, there is a good chance they’ll do it because it’s what is expected. Or they’ll buy Girl Scout cookies or help with their child’s paper drive. It’s a very passive thing. It’s charity work, but it doesn’t take much thought or effort.

If you’re thinking about making an active

mericans over the age of 18, now say that they participate in some kind of volunteer service. These studies also revealed that when people become involved in helping someone in a state of need, they also enhance their own lives in many ways and experience heightened feelings of self-worth.

Even though 50 percent of adult Americans donate some time and effort to volunteer activities, plenty of volunteer opportunities go unfilled. The two most frequently cited reasons for not volunteering are: (1) “I’m too busy” and (2) “Nobody asked me.” Conversely, the number one reason people give for volunteering is because someone asked them to. In short, it’s a communications issue. People who haven’t been asked need to be nudged. People who say they have no time need a bigger nudge.

Most volunteering is done passively. In other words people don’t select charities based on need. Rather, they do it based on tradition or what kids are doing. For example, if a child comes home with a note asking his or her parents to participate in the PTA, there is a good chance they’ll do it because it’s what is expected. Or they’ll buy Girl Scout cookies or help with their child’s paper drive. It’s a very passive thing. It’s charity work, but it doesn’t take much thought or effort.

If you’re thinking about making an active

wo most frequently cited reasons for not volunteering are: (1) “I’m too busy” and (2) “Nobody asked me.” Conversely, the number one reason people give for volunteering is because someone asked them to. In short, it’s a communications issue. People who haven’t been asked need to be nudged. People who say they have no time need a bigger nudge.

Most volunteering is done passively. In other words people don’t select charities based on need. Rather, they do it based on tradition or what kids are doing. For example, if a child comes home with a note asking his or her parents to participate in the PTA, there is a good chance they’ll do it because it’s what is expected. Or they’ll buy Girl Scout cookies or help with their child’s paper drive. It’s a very passive thing. It’s charity work, but it doesn’t take much thought or effort.

If you’re thinking about making an active

. Rather, they do it based on tradition or what kids are doing. For example, if a child comes home with a note asking his or her parents to participate in the PTA, there is a good chance they’ll do it because it’s what is expected. Or they’ll buy Girl Scout cookies or help with their child’s paper drive. It’s a very passive thing. It’s charity work, but it doesn’t take much thought or effort.

If you’re thinking about making an active commitment to a cause or charity, the following guidelines will help you make your choice.

* Think about how much of a commitment you are willing to make. How much free time do you have? How can you fit a charity or cause into your schedule? What type of activity can you perform in the time allotted? Can you devote time to it consistently?

* Do some research into what volunteer work is out there. And do some soul-searching. Don’t volunteer just because someone asked you to. Assemble a list of charities or causes that appeal to you. Find something that truly interests you and meets your needs.

* Determine in advance whether you want to volunteer your professional services or whether you’d prefer to perform an activity unrelated to your profession. For example, if you’re an accountant, you may not want to do any number crunching for a charity organization. Instead, you many want to get involved in an activity where you have direct contact with children or the elderly.

* Before choosing your charity or cause, consider the environment in which you would be working. Do you want to perform your service from your home, or do you want to go to another site? Do you want to work alone, or would you prefer a room packed with other volunteers? Do you want to provide expertise in a meeting, or plant trees with an environmental group?

* Consider any other needs or requirements you might have. Are you looking for friendships with people of similar interest? Are you looking for physical activity? Do you want to learn or be culturally stimulated? Or do you simply want the joy that comes from doing something for someone?

* Consider performing volunteer services with a friend. That way, you can share rides, compare notes, brainstorm