Some Reasons Why Volunteering Is Awesome!

What is a green festival? A Green Festival, http://www.greenfestivals.org/ promotes environmental awareness, fair trade and sustainability. The organization that puts on this festival, recently put out an article that lists the top ten reasons to volunteer. I found that this is an essential to have with all of our students, faculty and staff because we all have busy lives, and sometimes volunteering for something is not our number one thing we need to do, although it should be integrated into our weekly schedules.

There is a lot of promotion for Green Festival Volunteers. I know from volunteering at the Green Festival in Denver in 2009, that this a legitimate organization and one with a lot of passion and dedication to what it means to be green.

I also want to mention, on the subject of green, that the Auraria Campus is composting! This is our first semester of having compost and composting classes available to all students, staff and faculty! The green bins are located all throughout the Tivoli. If you could please be mindful and look out for them, our center, as well as Compost Auraria would greatly appreciate it and our campus could be one of few, who composts in an urban community.

Here is what Green Festivals aka Global Exchange and Green America Say Why Its Important to Make Time to Volunteer:

1. Joy of Giving

Involvement in a cause steeped in creating a better life for the world and all of its inhabitants brings a joy that is unlike any other. It will give you a unique feeling of purpose and power that will feed your spirit, expand your mind and boost your self-esteem.

2. Networking and Career Advancement

Volunteering can contribute to your career in a number of valuable ways. It strengthens your resume, boosts your visibility in the community and can connect you to valuable references. Plus, listing your volunteer experience on a resume demonstrates to prospective employers that you are conscientious, engaged in your community and able to manage your time to include giving back.

3. Fun with Friends and Family

Rewarding experiences are best shared, and volunteering is certainly more fun with two, four or six. Many of the volunteer roles at Green Festival can be shared with friends or family. Bring a youngster to partner with you; those who begin volunteering during their youth will typically become life-long volunteers.

4. A Step out of your Normal Routine

Volunteering is a great way to learn a new skill, explore new interests, discover untapped talents and meet new people. You may have social skills underutilized in your daily life that can be a valuable tool as an educator on the Green Team, or you may be a real kid-magnet, perfect for the Green Kid’s Zone. Find a hidden strength!

5. Make a Difference that will Reach Around the World

When you volunteer for the Green Festival, you are contributing to an event that promotes sustainability, human rights and environmental responsibility in the U.S. and around the world. By contributing your time, you are ultimately participating in promoting responsible energy sources, changing the life of a coffee farmer in Mexico or opening the door of opportunity for an African seamstress or an Indian jewelry-maker.

6. Connect with your Community

Volunteering is a powerful tool that brings together individuals with similar goals and ideology. Share the day with hundreds of like-minded volunteers, and you could meet your next boss, the love of your life or a magnetic new friend.

7. Gain Valuable Service Hours

Most high schools and some universities now require a certain number of service hours be earned before graduation. Have a great time fulfilling your school’s requirement; there are so many volunteer roles and shifts at Green Festival that, if you were so inclined, could earn you upwards of 20 hours in a weekend!

8. It’s Healthy

Volunteering gets you up, out and moving. It improves your mood with feelings of joy and optimism which relieves stress, boosts your immune system and slows the aging process. Invest your time in a healthy pursuit while making a real difference in your community.

9. Free Admission and Great Benefits

Let’s be frank, one of the reasons to volunteer for Green Festival is to gain that Free Admission all weekend! Plus, you get the exclusive, organic cotton, sweat-shop-free event tshirt, free memberships in Global Exchange and Green America for one year and access to food, relaxation and a free coat check in the Volunteer Lounge all weekend.

10. It Saves Resources for your Cause

Volunteers at the Green Festival save us up to $40,000 in staffing costs at each event. That means there is that much more funding to spend on promoting social justice and environmental responsibility. Though your service is more valuable than money, we recognize this is a piece of your contribution that is tangible and measurable.