Its more than five years since I moved to America and I have volunteered at various organizations. Even though I have done various roles as a volunteer, most of it was and is teaching. There are some lessons I have learnt during this period. You might as well ask what is there to think before we volunteer? We all volunteer for a good cause and nothing should hold us back. But there are some factors which you better consider before jumping to volunteering for any organization or project.

First and foremost, we need to understand why do I want to volunteer for this project or organization? Do I understand the goals and purpose of the organization and are my values and visions in line with that of decision makers of the organization? It might be better idea to discuss with the decision makers what are the future goals of the organization. How is it going to operate in the long run? Are the rules and regulations which are true for today are going to continue for tomorrow also?

For example, I volunteered as teacher at one organization which was conducting free classes for all students interested. I had the freedom to follow my teaching methodologies, classes were free for students, I was not paid as I was a volunteer. Once in a while both teachers and students would get a mail requesting for donation for the organization which was optional. They could donate as minimum amount as they wanted or not pay at all. No one would come to know who paid or who did not pay. This is something which was in line with my idea of teaching for free.

Then there was another organization which is also a not for profit organization and I volunteered to teach there as it was open to anyone who wanted to learn the language. But there something which started as free started asking for a registration fee in the next year. Then they also made it compulsory to become members of the organization which of course was paid. So, this will put the parents who would have enrolled their kids thinking it as free into a dilemma. Also, for volunteers who started volunteering for it because it was a free course. Then quitting such projects is also hard because of the friends the students or volunteers will have. It does not matter what ever minimum amount they are charging because in the first place they attracted students and volunteers by calling it a free course.

Then there was another organization which also conducted free classes then started asking for donations for some religious institutions it supported. Here again its okay to ask for donations, but sometimes the donations become compulsory like it happens in most of the private schools in India. They make list of parents who paid and those who did not pay and then circulate it in their respective groups. Here also we get a question should I be part of it?

I have been attending another class as a student for more than two years now. The teacher never asked for any fees or donation. Even though he is a part of an organization where he learnt the skill he is teaching. I am glad we still have such teachers and want to support such teachers or volunteers and want to be one like them.

As a result, I started my own language classes which are free for everyone. It will always be free.

So, lesson learnt yes, even for volunteering you need to check is it in line with my values and my ethics?