Volunteering to give life meaning...

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Maybe I'm just evil\psychopathic or actually do suffer with extreme chronic depression like the doctor says, but I never got anything out of volunteering. I felt empty and void of emotion doing it, and then came the depression because I was in an uncomfortable place. Add more depression because I was around other people, and then mostly other people I didn't feel comfortable with. I felt happier alone in my room.

I have a lot of respect for anyone that can actually find it in themselves to volunteer for things, though.

I don't think it's very good idea to do volunteer jobs in the hopes you'll meet hot chicks\guys. It sounds kind of exploitive... kind of like being a teacher and trying to chat up your students. Coworkers is kind of different, I guess.

And volunteering for a female domestic violence shelter just to pick up girls is sick and unethical. I don't think there's any other way to put it. You're harming the interests of the clients who go there, if you're trying to make advances. And if someone did go along with it, you'd likely be exploiting and taking advantage of them.

I'll change the situation a bit, because I'm a guy and I can't realistically put my self in the shoes of a female. If I were going to a shelter of some sort like that, and there was a female member of staff looking for people to get with, I'd be out of there like a goddamn rocket. No matter how nice they might seem, or how attractive, it'd freak me out. Not only that, I'd likely report that person first opportunity.

It's f****d up.

Really? I am pretty much the complete opposite... I feel empty and void of emotion when I'm not volunteering, whereas when I am, I know that people, at least for the time being, actually give a crap about the fact that I exist...


In volunteer jobs, you don't have nearly as much formalized working structure (although there are still some codified standards, especially in larger institutions)... Also, everything is a lot more informal, so in volunteer efforts I can get to know the other people a lot better...


I had already mentioned that, and he said he was kidding about the whole idea...


The staff of a domestic abuse shelter is comprised of people who aren't emotionally compromised (as the victims are)... they're normal people too... If I worked at a domestic abuse shelter and one of the victims started coming onto me, I would take it with a grain of salt since most domestic abuse victims have their own psychological issues, either pre-existing or inflicted by the abuser. If, on the other hand, a woman on the staff were to display interest, well, actually I would ask her what she's on because it's impossibly for any woman to actually like me...

It's f**** up.[/quote]

i have volunteered on a few occasions, sometimes lifting boxes & stuff, was not very fulfilling but it saved some work/time etc for a great young peoples charity..
i've also volunteered a little teaching music & this was Great!! very intimidating being in-charge of a small class, but the end result was pretty cool.. would like to share knowledge again except maybe 1 to 1.. or with help.
i can definitely advise volunteering, not for meeting people but the whole experience. especially if it relates to your "special interests" (i managed to convince teenagers to play the blues)

Volunteering is great!

I have volunteered at:
my neighborhood library {boring}

The Red Cross of Oregon {much better, worked in a warehouse}

Oregon Public Broadcasting {bad idea}

Cascade AIDS Project {some female students who went to the same high school as I did didn't want me there for fear of stalking}

Laughing Horse Books, a non-profit bookstore {didn't fit in}

And recently I volunteered for NARAL Pro-Choice.
My "supervisor" is so hot I still have thoughts of
making out with her in the adjacent restroom.
I tell myself, "Fat chance dude, she's a married woman or a lesbian."

I also plan on returning to NARAL later in the month.