(Editor’s Note: Did the dreary arrival of spring leave you with lots of time for reflection and contemplation? Itching to get out there and contribute to your community once the weather brightens up? Read on for one of our volunteers’ account on, well, volunteering. If you’re feeling inspired, contact the VPSN Volunteer Coordinator for projects and opportunities.)

Volunteering has given me the ability to more efficiently value my time. Over the past year I have taken part in a number of volunteer roles and each one has been very special to me. I have met many interesting individuals and am developing a network of people who know what’s important to me. What volunteering has taught me is to appreciate every hour I have, and see the world in a new way.

After moving to Vancouver in January 2014, I gradually began this new lifestyle. My first volunteer experiences were for running races as a course marshal. These were fun places to practice enthusiastic cheering and cowbell ringing. I have run in races before and wanted to share the power of a compliment with other runners along the way to the finish line. Reaching these volunteer dates is always something I look forward to; early mornings of fresh air and great energy!

 Later in the spring I found a posting on the Alliance For Arts and Culture website for a digitization photographer at the Vancouver Police Museum. I submitted an application for the role and was taken in kindly by the curator. I have gained an understanding of museum artifact documentation and have had the pleasure of seeing what value photography is for an organization like this. Each time I visit, it’s a positive reinforcement that what I’ve chosen to contribute to is going to have an impact on how people access the information of this museum.

 In the summer I spotted a post on my Facebook newsfeed from a friend who was looking for a social media account manager volunteer. I sent a message and found out that she’d had an extraordinary experience in Uganda as a student and, as a result, was creating a social enterprise. The network of friends she has enlisted are scattered across Canada. It has been a humbling and spirited experience to have their passion filter through my typing hands. FullSoul (the name of the organization) is just as it sounds: full of soul! I am delighted to see how this group of volunteers supports one another by connecting personal interests to a team effort that may one day be a sustainable life-saving organization. Here’s hoping!

Your volunteer coordinators and peers may become mentors and part of your growing social network. They may imbue you with relevant information at pivotal times, and assist in the development of career skills. What you will learn from volunteering, is how much time you really have every day and week and month. Worlds open and you will become wiser. It’s a great stage to test and question your opinions and passions.

For more exploration of my interest in photography, social media, and love of Vancouver, I participated last summer in the outdoor city events Vancouver Draw Down and 100 in 1 Day Vancouver as a volunteer photographer. This brought me to public spaces in the city with new intention. I will be helping this year again with 100 in 1 Day Vancouver documentation and hope to see some of you out there, creating a community you are proud of, and valuing your time in brand new ways! Smile!