How do people come to charity? There are as many ways and motives in this business as there are people. Some people come spontaneously on a “gut of the soul”, others “in passing”, others go to charity consciously, and for some it even becomes a matter of life.
Where to start your path in charity? The Smart Course team developed the 5 Steps of Informed Choice model. The same model can be applied to conscious steps in charity. With simple actions, you will see the possibility of good use of your resources: time, finances, skills and abilities. So what are the steps towards conscious charity?
Step 1: stop
To look deep into yourself and understand your own desires and motives, it is important to stop. This is the first step towards an informed choice.
Step 2: Explore
The stop gives time and space to work in two directions: the study of oneself and the study of the world around.
1. Answer your questions:
- What do I really want?
- Who can I help?
- What resources do I have?
- How am I ready to help others — with money, time, abilities, skills?
2. Explore the world around you:
- What are the areas of charity?
- What funds work in a particular area in my city?
- What volunteer organizations operate in my city?
At this stage, it is useful to study the experience of other people — both famous and ordinary. Perhaps their example will help you decide on the choice of direction.
3. Make a list of philanthropic areas that appeal to you, as well as those charitable foundations and volunteer organizations that work in these areas. As a rule, they train and help volunteers and those who want to become volunteers to develop the necessary skills. At the “research” step, the well-known technique of crossing “I want — I can — I must” helps.
Write what you love and want to do, what you are ready to offer and what other people need. In the area where the circles intersect, you will find the direction that suits you best. There may be several directions, so let’s move on to the next step.
Step 3: make a choice
We pass from a state of uncertainty to the choice of a sphere. You may find yourself ready to challenge yourself in several ways. This is also possible. After a while, you will decide whether to combine or refuse something. At this stage, there is a conscious acceptance of responsibility for the choice made. This is an internal readiness for any results, even if they do not meet expectations. There is nothing wrong with such inconsistencies, this is normal.
The decision that is not always made immediately turns out to be correct and leads a person to that very “work of life”, sometimes it is required to start a new search and take new steps. Tell yourself that you are in search and do not have to stay where participation does not bring you inner satisfaction.
Don’t worry about not meeting someone’s expectations. In charity, it is important not only to share the benefits with those who are in need, but also to enjoy yourself. This will help you not burn out emotionally. Having chosen a direction, proceed to specific actions.
Step 4: take action
You’ve done a great job of stopping, doing your research, and picking a direction you’re ready to try your hand at. If you get several spheres, decide which one to start with. In test mode, you can try your hand at the areas you have chosen. To do this, contact the organization on your list that deals with a specific area and offer to help as a volunteer.
A group of experienced like-minded people will give confidence. Thus, check yourself in business — is everything as you imagined, is this direction suitable, do you want to develop in it or not. If you are not sure that you want to participate in this particular area, warn that you are in search. Then you will be better able to help in self-determination. And also it will free you from the feeling of obligation to stay here.
As practice shows, in order to understand whether it is yours or not, it is enough to take part in two or three events. After the first meeting with sick children or orphans, most likely, you will experience strong emotions. It may even seem that you are not able to cope with them. Do not rush to close this area for yourself — talk to the psychologist of the organization, experienced volunteers, go through training sessions. The right attitude and a competent approach to business is important.
So, you have reached the fifth step, which is called «Share». For some people, this causes an ambiguous reaction — why share, do good deeds need to be advertised and shouted about it at every corner? Shouldn’t charity be done in silence?
Think about what will happen if you share with others the experience of conscious charity, tell about the perspective that appears in people who have received help and support? When a person shares his experience, it helps to consolidate the result, evaluate the correctness of the choice, change or refine something.
Your friends, colleagues, neighbors may also want to go in this direction. Tell us how to consciously go to charity, and you will have more like-minded people, people will be able to pool resources and work together. Useful ideas and examples should be shared in order to do good, grow ourselves and help others. I want you to make an informed choice.