As this is my fourteenth consecutive year enrolled in a catholic institution, I am more than capable of giving a list of reasons as to why anyone should participate in short or long term service trip opportunities. The need for volunteers to aid the homeless, hungry, uneducated, and sick is ample and the importance to fulfill this need is not lost on me. In fact, I believe the burden of every person can be lightened by another. I have so much faith in the power of service, and its potential for humanity, that I think it deserves more attention.

The concept of service, unfortunately, does not translate well for many people outside the realm of religious institutions and universities. No, I do not think that only religious institutions emphasize service and do great, meaningful things, nor do I think that only a select few individuals take the time to seek out volunteer opportunities or service trips. I know an endless list of schools from the elementary level to the collegiate level, both religious and non-religious, that participate regularly in service activities. I also know many individual people, and community groups, who have committed hours to researching particular service sites and positions that appeal to their specific mission, age group, etcetera. This appeal and desire to serve for a particular organization or service, must also coincide with the requirements of the association, such as age and education level, which makes finding unique volunteer opportunities troublesome.

Unfortunately, once information is not within our grasp, we forget to go looking for it or stop trying to look for it when it seems like it doesn't exist. I personally have looked into international trips and new types of service options open to me, and I am guilty of giving up once I realized that the information was not spelled out clearly and bluntly to me. When it was straightforward, there were financial obstacles that stood in my way, or the organization of the program intimidated me. That’s why this letter is to the Nonprofit Community looking for volunteers, as well as to those who are not attracted to participating in service trips for one reason or another.

The people who are looking to do good in the world already know the importance of service. They do not, however, know the facts. If the information was displayed in a more clearcut format, then people would know immediately whether they could or could not participate in a certain program. Also financing a trip is the number one burden that individuals encounter, and this is greatly impeding on the number of volunteers available to nonprofit organizations. Even if people can afford to take a year or two off, the time commitment can be scary. People need to know that they will have fun before devoting a huge portion of their life to a particular service experience. Sometimes the price of a trip is far to expensive for one person to be expected to pay out of pocket, so organizations should look to getting groups of individuals together before the trip in order for team members to meet and discuss fundraising options as a group. It is much less burdensome, and more comfortable, to fundraise in a group than alone.

Another point I want to make is this: The people who are looking for adventure and opportunity, can still do good in the world. Service, once you are doing it, speaks for itself. Service is its own advocate through the people that are being served. Reaching out to people who are not necessarily looking to commit to a trip that is specifically dedicated to service, is a strategic move that will greatly increase the interest of potential volunteers. Some people just need to know that what they are doing and where they are going, will provide them with an experience that is both adventurous and worthwhile. The moral benefits of service will grow within them throughout the trip and do not need to be embedded in them before they go on the trip.

The art of service needs not to be branded into something that belittles the beauty and importance of it. It simply needs to be recognized as an opportunity. A “Looking for adventure?” poster will capture a lot more attention than a “Service Trip” flier will. That may sound pretty bad, but people just want an experience, and they don’t necessarily know they will get one through service trips. They need some help realizing that service is one of the most memorable experiences out there. Volunteering is rewarding only after you do it.

To the organizations looking for volunteers; there are ideal candidates looking for you too. Some of them just don’t know they are the perfect fit yet, and they need a little more persuasion and information.

To the individuals looking for adventure; we both know a tour bus trip is not what you want to do with your time, but maybe building a house, feeding a family in a developing country, or saving sea turtles will satisfy your passion for adventure.