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6 minute read
When reflecting on the global changes over the last four years, the concept of civic engagement has become increasingly vital, especially for youth just beginning their careers. Civic engagement isn’t just about participating in elections or attending town hall meetings; it’s about being civically engaged in ways that directly benefit the community and foster a stronger society. One of the most impactful forms of civic engagement is skills-based volunteering. This approach not only allows individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities but also provides a platform to develop and refine skills that are crucial in the professional world.
Why is civic engagement important, and what is the link between youth and civic engagement? The importance of civic engagement for youth cannot be overstated. When young people are civically engaged through acts like skills-based volunteering, they are more likely to continue their involvement in community-focused initiatives throughout their lives. This early engagement is crucial for developing a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility, which strengthens communities and fosters a more equitable society.
By participating in a skills-based volunteer program like Catchafire, young people are not only enhancing their personal growth but also contributing to the greater good—a cornerstone of civic engagement.
Acts of civic engagement: skills-based volunteering
Skills-based volunteering is a powerful example of how individuals can be civically engaged in a way that directly benefits both the volunteer and the community. Unlike traditional volunteer roles, which might involve tasks like serving meals or cleaning up public spaces, skills-based volunteering leverages an individual’s specific talents and expertise to address complex challenges faced by civic engagement organizations. This type of volunteering not only provides benefits of civic engagement by addressing community needs but also helps volunteers to develop professionally, creating a relationship that enhances both personal and societal growth.
For instance, a young graphic designer might volunteer their skills to create branding materials for a nonprofit’s civic engagement project. This not only helps the organization to communicate more effectively with the public but also allows the volunteer to build their portfolio with meaningful work. Similarly, a data expert can provide support on auditing an organization’s customer database (CRM), which logs valuable voter information. These are just a few examples of civic engagement where skills-based volunteering plays a crucial role in supporting the community.
There are many types of civic engagement activities that can be enhanced through skills-based volunteering; the forms of civic engagement are as varied as the skills volunteers bring to the table. These ideas not only address immediate community needs but also contribute to long-term community development. Engaging in these activities helps to build a stronger, more connected community, demonstrating why civic engagement is important for the health of our society.
Volunteer highlight: Meet Ashwin
We spoke to Ashwin, Consultant at Circana, about his volunteer experience on Catchafire and his support of civic engagement organizations.
In a few sentences, tell us more about yourself and your background.
In my professional career, I am a consultant for one of the largest data analytics and consumer behavior companies in the world.
Outside of work, I've partnered closely with many 501(c)3 organizations, in either a leadership role or collaborating on short-term projects. I've held roles in finance, sponsorship, public relations, community outreach, event logistics, and operations.
Why and how did you begin volunteering on Catchafire?
When I completed my undergrad degree in 2020, the world seemed in such disarray. There was a global pandemic, and multiple local, state, and human rights issues were being broadcasted on the news everyday. Small businesses and nonprofits were shutting down or suffering massively. I decided that this was as good a time as any to start seriously volunteering, and when I discovered Catchafire, it seemed like a perfect match between the skillset I had and interesting volunteer projects.
“I think a lot of people have the ability to make a difference and contribute to their community; we just need to be pointed in the right direction of where we can help. We tend to underestimate how much skills can be applicable from a civic engagement standpoint…If we can find a way to raise more awareness of skill-based volunteering and how people can help, I think that a lot of good can happen in this world at a rapid pace.”
Ashwin A., Volunteer of the Month
Tell us about your experience volunteering with New Voters. How are you impacting their mission as a volunteer?
New Voters was one of the best organizations I've had the opportunity to work with. The organization was interested in creating a foundational data tracking system that would allow for a consistent method of data collection to analyze metrics regarding voter information and fundraising goals. The ultimate goal was to register over 100,000 high school and college-aged individuals for the 2020 presidential election, which we ended up achieving.My work ended up being broken up into three steps:
What role do you believe civic engagement and skills-based volunteering play in strengthening communities?
Change comes from the ground up. A lot of people have the ability to make a difference and contribute to their community; we just need to be pointed in the right direction of where we can help. We tend to underestimate how much skills can be applicable from a civic engagement standpoint; some of the biggest projects I've seen involve tasks or skills that I think a lot of people have. If we can find a way to raise more awareness of skill-based volunteering and how people can help, I think that a lot of good can happen in this world at a rapid pace.
How has your perspective on civic engagement and community involvement changed since you started volunteering?
Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations that work in unique spaces. At first, I was hesitant that I might not be the best fit for some projects given how little I knew about some of the industries. However, looking at the bigger picture, many of the challenges that plagued the different organizations were similar. Not only did this give me the confidence to contribute, but it showed me what really mattered when it came to successful civic engagement.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your experience on Catchafire? How has volunteering influenced your life and career goals?
Anyone can contribute and anyone can make a huge impact. When I was first looking for projects on Catchafire, I thought I would most likely be doing the excess work that no one had time to get to or mattered in the grand scheme. Instead, I got to contribute to many interesting projects that involved skills that I would sometimes take for granted. For every data analytics or finance-related project, there were as many public speaking coaching or business email writing tasks that related to the nonprofits' goals. I've really enjoyed the strategy discussions and long-term planning aspects of some of these projects, which has inspired me to look into strategy and business operations as a long-term career objective.
“I would say it's a no-brainer; volunteer opportunities give you a chance to do things that might take you years to accomplish in your career.”
Ashwin A., Volunteer of the Month
How do you stay motivated and passionate about your volunteer work, even during challenging times?
What's kept me motivated has been the amount of cool projects that have a clear need. On Catchafire alone, I've worked on projects that have gone to the UN, generated thousands of dollars in relief funds, or have visibly impacted communities I am a part of. While I have had some challenging times, balance has been the key to not burning out. For me, it's better to feel as if I gave them what I committed to and could have worked on rather than overextend myself and not deliver.
What advice would you give to recent graduates looking to use volunteer opportunities to enhance their skills and advance their careers?
I would say it's a no-brainer; volunteer opportunities give you a chance to do things that might take you years to accomplish in your career. For me, it's shown me what I'm capable of as well as what I like and don't like. Better to learn it now instead of finding out later in life where it might be too late or harder to pivot.
How do you envision the future of civic engagement, and what role do you hope to play in it?
If there's one thing I've learned over the last few years, it's that the world is constantly changing and new challenges can arise from anywhere. I want to leave the world a better place than when I found it, and I hope I play a role in civic engagement that works to that end.
About New Voters
New Voters' mission is to register the youth of America to vote. The organization is based out of Pennsylvania, but has since expanded to include 500 high schools across the country. Their goal is to enable young people--regardless of their political views--to be more politically active, and to express their viewpoints via the voting box.
Entirely student-run, the organization works with high school student-leaders across the country to help them host non-partisan voter registration drives at their schools. To date, the organization has civically activated over 80,000 high school students in 39 states and 500+ high schools, with over 300 high school and college student team members. New Voters operates with the goals of registering young people to vote early, reminding them to vote before every election, building the next generation of educated voters, and fostering a culture of non-partisanship.
You can help support New Voters with their next project!
