OSURA Volunteers: Tell Us How We Can Help!
Nancy Wardwell
OSURA Communications
How can we help you?
OSURA members have been asking—and answering—that question for a long time. In a recent survey, Ohio State retirees report volunteering in at least 64 community agencies, and for more than 25 departments and programs around the university. They range from the College of Law to Medicine, from Agriculture and Extension to the Libraries, to Child Care, Veterinary Medicine, and more.
A group has been studying how our retirees can more effectively assist the university. With the support of Human Resources and the Office of Outreach and Engagement, we are setting up a network to connect opportunities within the university with skilled and willing volunteers.
How can we
help you?
Look around your department or office and think of ways volunteer help could better your work. We have members who can supply technical and professional assistance and advice, and we have members who can assist with those special or seasonal projects. Volunteers can provide time and talent that can free staff and faculty to attend to other responsibilities.
It’s a great trade-off because there are great benefits to the volunteer also. There is considerable data emerging about the health benefits this type of engagement brings to the volunteer.
From the Corporation for National and Community Service: “There is now a convergence of research leading to the conclusion that helping others makes people happier and healthier. So the word is out—it’s good to be good. Science increasingly says so,” said Dr. Stephen Post, a professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and coauthor of the forthcoming book Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Research That Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life.
How can we
help you?
When you identify ways your program could use volunteers,
please contact us at osuravolunteers@hr.osu.edu.