Islam and volunteerism

Islam and Volunteerism

Ideas for Recruiting, Retaining Motivating and

Rewarding your volunteers

What is Volunteerism?• Volunteerism, in its conceptual form, includes

the individual or collective efforts of willing individuals, known as volunteers, to act in ways which work toward the betterment of oneself, other individuals, communities, society and/or the world.

• Volunteering means “commitment “to pledge yourselves to a noble cause and for good to others!

Significance of Volunteerism in Islam

• The meaning of volunteerism in Islam is the offer of time, energy, efforts, skills, talent and knowledge of your own will for the sake of gaining God’s pleasure

• Volunteerism is thus the most fundamental act of citizenship in our society as well as special expression of one’s faith ,i.e., Islam.

Quran

Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor:… [5:2].

And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive, [76:8].

• and do good; that ye may prosper. [22:77)

Hadith

صلى ه الل رسول إلى جاء رجال أن عمر ابن عناس الن أي ه الل رسول يا فقال م وسل عليه ه الل

وجل عز ه الل إلى أحب األعمال وأي ه الل إلى أحبأحب م وسل عليه ه الل صلى ه الل رسول فقال

إلى األعمال وأحب اس للن أنفعهم ه الل إلى اس النكربة عنه تكشف أو مسلم على تدخله سرور ه اللأمشي وألن جوعا عنه تطرد أو دينا عنه تقضي أوفي أعتكف أن من إلي أحب حاجة في أخيه مع

كف ومن شهرا المدينة مسجد يعني المسجد هذاشاء ولو غيظه كظم ومن عورته ه الل ستر غضبهيوم أمنا قلبه وجل عز ه الل مأل أمضاه يمضيه أنأثبتها ى حت حاجة في أخيه مع مشى ومن القيامة

تزل يوم الصراط على قدمه وجل عز ه الل أثبت لهاألقدام فيه

من 6192 الميم باب للطبراني األوسط المعجممحمد اسمه

Meaning of the Hadith• The dearest to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to people.• • The dearest deed to Allah is bringing happiness to a Muslim, or

dispelling a grief from him, or settling his debt, or feeding him while he is hungry.

• It is dearer to me to support my Muslim brother to satisfy need than to make one month I'tikaf in the mosque.

• • Whoever controls his anger Allah will cover his faults.

• And whoever goes out with a Muslim till fulfilling his necessity, Allah will make his feet stable on the Day while feets slip. [ al-Tabrani, Al Mujamul Aust]

Hadith

“Whosoever relieves from a believer some grief of this world, Allah will relieve from him some grief of the Hereafter.

Whosoever alleviates the difficulties of a needy person, Allah will alleviate his difficulties in both this world and the Hereafter.

Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter.

Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother.

Whosoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them, and Allah makes mention of them amongst those who are in His presence.

Whosoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage.” (Muslim)

Hadith الله رضى ـ عمر بن ه الل عبد أنه الل رسول أن أخبره ـ عنهماقال " وسلم عليه الله صلى

يظلمه ال المسلم، أخو المسلمحاجة في كان ومن يسلمه، والومن حاجته، في ه الل كان أخيهه الل ج فر كربة مسلم عن ج فر

القيامة، يوم كربات من كربة عنهيوم ه الل ستره مسلما ستر ومن

القيامة ".

Meaning -Prophet (SAW) said:• A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so: • He should not oppress him, nor should he hand

him over to an oppressor. • Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother,

Allah will fulfill his needs; • Whoever brings his (Muslim) brother out of a

discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and

• Whoever screens a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection. (Bukhari)

• Volunteering is the lifeblood of any community. • Because of volunteers communities are able to run

organizations, social services, conferences, playgroups, drop-in centers, feed the hungry, shelters the homeless, open libraries, run schools, set up blood banks, and the list goes on.

• Paid employees only make up a small part of the social services network; without volunteers such endeavors would come to a standstill

Acts of Volunteers

Volunteerism is part of Islam

• Volunteering is not a foreign concept to Islam.• In Islam there is a strong ethic of volunteerism. • This does not simply extend to running study

circles or cleaning the masjid. • As Muslims, we see our role as world citizens.• The idea of working for a better community or

society shouldn’t be limited to Muslims only • We must extend to the broader society, to our

own country and to the world at large.

WHAT MOTIVATES VOLUNTEERS? • Being Active in good causes in the society

• Learning New Skills through service

• Social Contacts

• Helping People in broader community

• Gaining Work Experience;

• Helping People in Own Muslim Community;

Motivating factors for volunteers• Doing Something Worthwhile

• Spiritual Benefits

• Volunteering can turn our action into ‘Ibadah, if we volunteer for His sake.

• When you help others, you interact, and when you interact you help them understand you better. Communication builds bridges.

WHO VOLUNTEERS? • Volunteers come from all walks of life,• Representing all ages and demographics. • Offer vastly different types of skills and

services. • They include students, seniors, men, women,

professionals…, • Someone who is visually impaired may work by

phone, • Another person who is developmentally

challenged…etc.

Volunteers make many Muslim services possible• Masajid have been built and run through the

efforts of volunteers,

• Conferences are run by volunteers,• • Eid prayers are organized by volunteers

• Schools are run, in large part, by volunteers,• • Muslim newspapers and magazines are written

for and published by volunteers,

Volunteers make many Muslim services possible

• Many humanitarian organizations that are developed and run by volunteers.

• As Muslims we must improve the communities we live in by visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching people to read, helping people who have no one to turn to.

• • It is by translating our love of God into good

actions so that we strengthen our faith and make this world a better place for all

5 No’s of VolunteerismNo volunteer is to brag about giving his time, effort,

energy, knowledge and memory when he is doing it fee sabeelillah (in the way of Allah).

No volunteer should accuse the employees that they are receiving money from the general budget of the community, while he is doing it for free.

No volunteer should accept a job or a title for the sake of show, or else it will become hypocrisy.

No volunteer should accept a title or a job when he knows that he is not qualified for the job.

No volunteer should accept a title, while knowing that he has no time to volunteer for such a job.

4 Main Benefits of Volunteerism1. The act of volunteerism will reinforce the noble

virtue of sincerity (Ikhlas) in us. 2. Volunteerism will enhance the compassion and

ihsan among individuals in the community 3. Volunteerism will bring about calmness in us and

satisfaction to our souls. This is because we do things out of our own will and not because we are forced to.

4. When we help others, we will be more thankful to God for the blessings that we have received from Him, and also because we use these blessings to help others.

5 Personal Benefits ofVolunteering• 1. Causes you to be organized &do efficient time management 2-Encourages self-assessment (Muhasaba) 3-Promotes competition in the good 4-Is the best motivation to get rewards from Allah (SWT). 5-Provides a vision-To be truly productive, we must make our every step in accordance with achieving the vision. And when we get this right, the Baraka of Allah pours forth like the heavy rain on a barren plain.

Fruits of Volunteerism

• By caring and contributing to change, volunteers decrease suffering and disparity,

• They gain skills, self-esteem, and change their lives.

• Somebody said: “Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.”

• Actually, “Volunteers polish up the rough spots in our communities” and make life easier and pleasant for so many.

What are the benefits to organizations?

• Loyal volunteers can help you to get your programs or services to market.

• Engaged volunteers bring diverse points-of-view to your organization.

• Greater cost-effectiveness allow more dollars to be mission-related.

Benefits to organizations

• Valued volunteers improve the reputation of your organization.

• You can demonstrate to funders that your organization receives public support in the form of volunteer hours.

• Dedicated volunteers become passionate ambassadors of the organization

What makes volunteer-run organizations successful?

• Dr. Michelle Gauthier with Imagine Canada replies:

• If they are meeting a real community need for service or engagement;

• Maintaining the support and trust of their key supporters and beneficiaries;

• Engaging volunteers effectively;

• Operating with sound governance

• Good financial management.

Recruiting Volunteers Be passionate about your

organization and its mission

Advertise your need for volunteers use

the local media, service organizations

Ask your current volunteers to recruit their friends and family

Recruitment• Reach out to members, partners, and other groups

that are in direct communication with your organization.

• Website is the first point of contact about the services they provide. Be sure to include information about volunteer opportunities in a prominent spot on your site

• Building strong partnerships within the community your organization serves, as well as the geographic location in which it operates

Seven deadly sins of recruiting volunteers• Sin One: Expect Announcements to Get Volunteers.

People like to be asked in person• Sin Two: Go It Alone- Partner with local organizations• Sin Three: Recruit Life-time Individuals. Not Short-

term Project Teams• Sin Four: Assume That "No" Means "Never“• Sin Five: Fall Into the BIC(Back in Chair) Trap.

Getting someone who sits and does nothing.• Sin Six: Be People Driven Rather Than Position

Driven. We do not tell them their job• Sin Seven: Give the Position the Wrong Job Title

How to retain volunteers?• This is perhaps the most crucial component of an all-

volunteer organization• Long-term volunteers provide consistency, ensuring a clear

direction toward a common goal and continued momentum

• New volunteers should be interviewed, trained, and supported

• Ensure that volunteer opportunities engage volunteers in a meaningful way

•Opportunities to gain new skills, overcome obstacles, or directly affect change for others, you'll promote satisfaction and dedication amongst your volunteer base.

The Key to Success: Structure

Maintain a very organized and structured volunteer program

Keep current contact information on all of your volunteers.

Track their volunteer hours

Train, Train, Train

A trained volunteer is an effective volunteer!

Make sure volunteers know about organization and the important role they play in organization

Remember, volunteers represent your organization. You don’t want them to make mistakes

Integrity

Never compromise your organization’s mission.

Make certain you have the right volunteer for the right job.

•Be sure to THANK

your volunteers

Avoid the Ivory Tower Syndrome

• Lead by example. If volunteers see your commitment of time and energy to your organization’s mission, they will be willing to put in the same effort. Don’t develop an Ivory Tower attitude.

Time is Valuable!

You can never ask too much from a volunteer. Don’t be afraid to ask them to do their job.

Time is VALUABLE! People need to feel like their time

commitment to your organization is worthwhile and not wasted.

Volunteers = Employees Run your non profit like a Fortune

500 business.Make certain volunteers are fulfilling

their commitment to your organization.Treat volunteers like employees. Expect from them what you expect

from your employees

Communicate to Connect

Keep your volunteers informed. Tell them the results of their efforts.

Stay connected to your volunteer force. Make certain you know what they’re doing and that they know what the organization is doing.

A simple monthly newsletter is a good way to keep volunteers informed

Recognition makes people smile!

Create a recognition program for your volunteers. Applaud and highlight the volunteers who are succeeding with their tasks.

Use the media. We have found that local media will run news releases verbatim if they are concise and well written. well-

Making sure your volunteers stick with the program

How do you retain volunteers? Make sure there is work for them to do. Nothing is more frustrating than to volunteer for an organization and then there is nothing to do.

Make sure they feel valuable!

Top ten tips for volunteer management and retention

• 1. Listen carefully to a volunteer’s priorities

• 2. Make it comfortable working conditions

• 3. Respond quickly to a volunteer request

• 4. Have a back-up plan in case one leaves

• 5. Check in regularly

• 6. Prepare for emergencies. List an emergency contact person for every volunteer

10 TIPS FOR Volunteer Management

• 7. Watch for burnout. Don’t over-use your volunteers

• 8. Always look for ways to improve

• 9. Show your appreciation

• 10. Instill pride. Volunteers like to be a part of an organization that is known for their great work. Get them organization-identified nametags, certificates, shirts or jackets

Summary:• Build a Volunteer-Centric Culture

• Be Responsive to Volunteer Needs

• Demonstrate Flexibility and Creativity

• Avoid Overload

• Create the Right Connections

• Stand Out from the Crowd

• May Allah (SWT) grant us all success in our future endeavors serving humanity and our

organization’s mission. Amen