Volunteering: Lending a Helping Hand

Is this you? You're in your 40s or 50s, physically and financially healthy. You've reached that stage in life when your focus is shifting inward toward an examination of what's important to you for personal satisfaction and fulfillment. And that leads you to consider your fellow citizens, your community, and the causes you believe in – and how you can help.

Giving of yourself as a volunteer

More and more active and engaged ‘Baby Boomers' are acting on their strong desire to give back to causes they are passionate about by sharing their time – and sometimes their wealth – with the charitable and non-profit organizations that provide so many essential services in every Canadian community. Whether they are on the front lines directly helping others, on fundraising committees or on boards of directors for non-profit organizations, volunteers play a critical role in our society.

As a volunteer, you have an enormous range of areas to choose from: health, social services, education, sports, recreation, arts, culture, environmental concerns, food banks, emergency shelters, crisis hotlines – and much more. And besides, volunteering is good for you: A study by Volunteer Canada* found direct links between volunteering and better health and happiness, generally in the later years.

If you're thinking about becoming a volunteer, here are some tips for getting the most out of your volunteering experience:

Volunteer for an organization or cause that complements your lifestyle, suits your personality and is of personal interest to you. Before you get involved, ask yourself these questions:

What do I hope to achieve from the experience?
What causes or issues matter most to me?
What skills, experience or talents do I want to share?
Are there areas in which I want to stretch myself?
How much time do I have to give?

When you've answered those questions, get your volunteering life started with a call to your local volunteer centre or Volunteer Canada at 1.800.670.0401.

Giving of your wealth – philanthropy

You may decide to support the causes you care about with charitable gifts. You may want to help your favourite charity continue its important work, to ensure your memory.

A professional advisor can help make your plan work for you. (Submitted by Damon Smith, Investors Group Financial Services Inc.) For more information call 1.888.335.1362.

This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc., is presented as a general source of information only and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell investments, nor is it intended to provide professional advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. For more information on this topic or on any other investment or financial matters, please contact your Investors Group Consultant.

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