I’ll admit it; I’m a serial volunteer and for the longest time, there seemed to be no logic my mind could assign to make sense of the compulsion. After all, why on Earth would my calendar be filled with equal amounts of pro bono and paying projects? Allan Luks oft-cited work shows there are psychological and physiological benefits related to this kind of addiction and fortunately, there are lots of others out there just like me.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows volunteerism in the U.S. at about 26%, the more educated in the population providing the brunt of the hours.

So what compels people to volunteer? That same data from BLS shows that nearly 47% got involved because they were asked by someone already in the organization, but what was surprising is not much less (about 41%) got involved of their own volition – and to me, that is a very hopeful, encouraging number. “The main reason I volunteer is to give back and to support my community,” shares Eric Boles. “I like being a role model for youth and there is a deep internal satisfaction that comes from being involved.” Mr. Boles volunteers for several organizations, including Imagination Celebration in Colorado Springs. “I know my work helps create more public awareness about the projects I’m involved with and I help remove roadblocks nonprofits sometimes have and this creates even more enthusiasm for what they’re doing.”