Finding A Cause That’s Right For You

When I was thinking about my goals for 2008 and what the role this Blog would play, I knew that at some point someone might ask me “how could I help?”, “what should I do?”, “where do I start?” and it has happened (she says, glowing with pride). I thought I would take a couple of minutes to share what I told my friend.

The Causes that touch me the most are ones that affect women and children in developing regions (or regions that are recovering economically) first, and then second, Causes that relate to the environment… But that is just me and I still haven’t pin-pointed which organization I want to align myself with (this process takes time).

There are so many ways to get involved and the best part about feeling like you just can’t sit idly by anymore, is that you recognize that there is an issue, or issues and something has to change. Imagine the power we would have if we all decided we had to act! We would certainly be able to eradicate several calamities plaguing our world today. We would just need to find each other!

One organization that has helped me find some direction is Action Without Borders. This amazing non-profit group connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people (and animals) can live free and dignified lives. There are some amazing opportunities and organizations listed in its directory.

Here are my 7 tips for finding a Cause that’s right for you:

1. Really spend some thinking about what your values and beliefs are.
2. Think about what outrages you the most in regards to things happening to humans, to animals and/or to nature and educate yourself on it (the Internet is chalk-full of really, really great resources).
3. Decide how you would like to help: By raising awareness, by educating, by raising funds or supplies, by doing field work, helping to find alternative solutions, by pushing for changes to policies or laws, etc, etc.
4. Decide at what level: In your school or workplace, in your community, in your province or state, country, continent, world.
5. Do some research about which organization’s mission best corresponds with your own values and goals.
6. Make sure you choose a Cause and a role that isn’t boring to you and make that first contact! If you are volunteering for a Cause, you don’t have to settle on anything you find boring. In fact, it’s best not to. You would be doing a disservice to the organization and to yourself. You are allowed to have some fun, even if the Cause is a serious one
7. If your friends aren’t into what you are embarking on, that’s OK (my friends aren’t into what I do either). Volunteering doesn’t appeal to everyone, but befriending some people who are into it, does help a lot. At times, you may need an outlet to express how you are feeling (depending on the cause, it can get pretty heavy) but also just to draw inspiration and motivation from. Having that network around you is pretty important.

The point is that you have to find your own path. Find the projects that excite you and ones that you know you can do a good job on and just go for it. The most I can do is point you to various resources, tell you how I have made my decisions and what I based them on and if that helps, then great! And also know that if you are just getting started and you don’t have an outlet or friend who could relate… You do now ;)

I would love to hear where you are at in your own reflexions. Leave me a comment here or you could always write me at melissacthibodeau [at] gmail [dot] com!