LETTERS: I WAS recently invited to head the volunteers' group for two national squash events: the Malaysia Open and Asian Team Championship.
Being passionate about volunteering since young, I accepted the responsibility, even though my plate was full.
I interviewed all candidates and ensured that they knew what their responsibilities were as volunteers.
Many university students and the public misunderstand the philosophy behind volunteerism. It refers to the practice of providing time, effort, and skills for the benefit of other people or organisations.
In many situations, volunteers are trained in the areas they are studying or their profession, such as education, medicine, social work or emergency rescue.
In other situations, people and organisations serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to flood victims and natural disasters. Volunteers need to understand that their help and support are appreciated.
However, a good deed should not be taken for granted. As much as the energy and support provided by volunteers are invaluable, they too must behave with certain ethics.
What are the ethics of volunteering?
Firstly, volunteers should be committed and do their utmost.
This commitment provides a ripple effect that in return makes the volunteers' commitment fulfilled. They will be satisfied that they completed their responsibilities.
Next, they should always be responsible for what is undertaken.
When a task is given, it means the task must be performed and completed within a timeframe. Sometimes, students take their roles for granted.
They give excuses that they have more important work to do.
My question is, why volunteer in the first place?
Volunteers should never expect anything in return, especially monetary or in-kind perks.
During my interviews with candidates interested in volunteering, many asked, "How much will I be paid?" or "What do I get from being a volunteer?"
I will put an "X" beside their names and, if possible, not shortlist them.
If at all I need to take these persons as volunteers on my team, then I ensure that during the trust and rapport-building phase, I spell out the expectations and philosophy of being volunteers.
These characteristics and the radiation of volunteerism ensure that responsibilities or tasks can be a successful journey if volunteers understand why they are important.
Thus, volunteerism should be made part of the education curriculum from home, to school and communal education.
Associate Professor Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan
Director, Centre for Research in International and Comparative Education (CRICE), Coordinator of SULAM@Service Learning, Universiti Malaya
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times