Transactional versus Transformative Volunteering: A Tale of Two Jarvises

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When we first volunteer to help others, most people begin with a desire to ‘make a difference’ or ‘give back’. As we continue in the volunteer journey, we notice a strange phenomenon: the biggest difference may be happening inside us. And although we are giving back, we find we are receiving far more than we may have to offer.

In an effort to explore this dynamic, Chris and Jake pick up where they left off in a previous podcast and explore the contributions of volunteers by sharing the origin stories of two volunteers who worked at the Sunday Suppers in Halifax, both with the surname ‘Jarvis’ (unrelated).

Marguerite Jarvis acted as her neighbourhood’s unofficial resource distribution center, providing access to items that people needed and would not be able to secure on their own. Darrell Jarvis, (Chris’ dad) the other volunteer, focused his attention on bringing resources to the Sunday Supper and making sure things were organized and accessible when needed.

With seemingly little in common, both Jarvis’ found their social justice stride by routinely showing up and being their authentic selves in service to others.

Transformative Volunteering is an approach that emphasizes the exploration and application of empathy and inclusivity in corporate community engagement. Employee volunteer leaders are trained to manage social impact projects in a way that results in sustainable, systemic outcomes.

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Resources/materials:

Transformative Volunteering: Taking a transformative approach to volunteering allows us to reach beyond the immediate, transactional contexts and circumstances of volunteers and their communities. Instead of just exchanging time and resources for the reward of making a difference, the volunteer experience becomes an internalized journey – the “reward” becomes pro-social human beings with a greater capacity for empathy. When we ‘belong’ to each other in a community, we address the underlying obstacles to peace and prosperity; the idea of ‘us’ and ‘them’.  Neuroscience demonstrates the deep evolutionary reasons humans fear the stranger and protect ourselves from others. So, we must move beyond this posture of charitable helping the ‘other’ while maintaining our separateness. We must know the solidarity of humanity.

3 Stages of a Volunteer Journey: “The first stage on the journey of the volunteer is one of investigation and curiosity. Like a tourist visiting a new place for the first time, a first stage volunteer is not yet sure if this experience is the right fit for them. They cannot be forced or coerced into liking it; instead, they must be given basic, experiential tasks that will allow them to look, taste, see and discover. If they’re ready, they’ll return to the space and continue through the stages. Tourists will make up about 70-80% of any group of employee volunteers.”

Don’t hate the player – hate the game: “In the game of Monopoly the playing field is equal, every player starts the game with the same amount of money.  Every player has the same opportunity to roll the dice and advance (unless they go to jail).  Every player follows the same set of