If you’ve had the pleasure of volunteering, you might be familiar with the taxing and dreadful process of filling up multiple forms, paying fees, and attending induction sessions, as well as being restricted by time commitments — all of which are seen as unnecessary barriers for people who genuinely want to help.
Well, last year’s Giving Week introduced the Nookmag team to Cause Corps, a website that connects volunteers to various causes in the simplest way possible — by micro-volunteering!
Born out of the belief that making meaningful changes in the world should be accessible to everyone, Cause Corps allows people who are passionate about helping to do so during events that are mostly under two hours and for free.
Volunteer events in Singapore range from writing postcards to terminally ill children in hospitals throughout the world (it takes only a few minutes, making it easy for busy people who would like to do good) to knitting baby blankets for Journey Nepal, an NGO based in the earthquake-hit country.
Cause Corps also conduct micro-volunteering sessions in London, Auckland, and Hong Kong.
Check out what’s next on the volunteering schedule here.
We speak to Sherry Soon, the chapter lead of Cause Corps’ Singapore branch.
What does it mean to “give”?
Giving, to us, is giving a part of yourself — without ego, without expectations. It’s not about giving money, or items — these are possessions, and can be bought and sold tenfold. To give your time and skills, with intention and humanity, that is truly priceless.
Your projects rely on the power of numbers. Tell us the best and most challenging part about this.
Relying on Meetup.com RSVP’s is difficult, because there’s no way to know who will really come. When you’re waiting for 12 people, and three show up, it can be disheartening. At the same time, though, the fact that three people did come creates a more intimate event; you really get to know your volunteers, rather than spreading yourself between a dozen people.
Share with us what you’ve learnt about human beings in the course of working with Cause Corps. What would surprise us most?
Two things: firstly, we find that women — from everywhere around the world, and especially those aged 28-35 — account for almost 80% of our active volunteers! Secondly, people love making baby beanies! Our most popular event around the world is by far our Journey Nepal event. Even those who have never picked up a ball of yarn in their life find looming so therapeutic, and can’t wait to do it again. We had friends sponsor looms and yarns and also a lady who brought 90 per-knitted baby beanie hats done in her free time!
Share with us one cause you are passionate about right now.
We avoid limiting ourselves to a single cause, and the local partners our global teams work with are very much dictated by local volunteers’ passion. One thing we’re particularly excited about at the moment, though, is getting businesses to micro-volunteer. Corporates appear to be extremely time poor, so our short-in- time events that can be done a stones throw away from their desk are perfect. Check out Cause Corps
