OPINION
Monday, February 23, 2015 11
Altruism and Volunteering
Selfish or Selfless?
gleb matushansky › staff writer
I
was nev er very interested in volunteering.
Chalk it up to my pessimism or nihilism, or
simply to the fact that I thought that people
should help themselves and persevere through
sheer willpower. I didn’t volunteer to answer questions in class, nor took the popular avenue of padding my resume. I completed my volunteer hours
in high school through an involvement with the Air
Cadets, but I essentially stopped at the bare minimum. I didn’t give my time to those less fortunate,
and instead spent time relaxing or working. I was
barely involved in my undergrad, and joined a few
clubs to make sure that I had more than just marks
to show after four years – but I typically joined as a
member, and attended one event if any.
Then, after graduating, I was invited to put
together a Marketing 101 class for a group of students in grades nine through twelve who were volunteering for the Red Cross and attempting to raise
money. To be fair, I found the experience worthwhile and enjoyable, if only because I got to be the
centre of attention with everyone listening to me.
I suppose I should have known then I wanted to go
to law school, but this was my first foray into being
involved in the community.
This year, I discovered what it means to truly
give back. Sure, I wrote for the school paper, was
involved in a club, and had my personal life. But
when I got involved in the Family Law Project,
despite having no interest in family law, I was able
to finally see the impact of my actions, and receive
the gratitude of those who need help. That four hour
commitment, while taxing because of the time commitment and commute, allowed me not only to meet
passionate and involved individuals who have taught
me as much about dealing with people as any of my
classes, but also to feel like my work matters. I am
not sure whether it is a selfish desire for recognition
and acknowledgement that motivates me to go every
week, or a selfless desire to help people at the worst
times of their lives, but I look forward to it every
week. And the stories of the clients we serve help me
put my own life in perspective; to see their strength
and composure in difficult times allows me to gather
the courage to deal with my own day.
Everyone with whom I’ve spoken, and all the literature I’ve read, says that keeping busy allows you
to do more things with your day. I believe that is
absolutely true. The highlight of my week is assisting individuals in the court, which allowed me to
grow personally and professionally, but also allows
me to manage my time better. I am honoured to be
in the presence of dedicated individuals who give
their time despite us all being busy, and thinking
about others rather than themselves for that chunk
of time. I’ve read that there is no such thing as altruism, merely that people receive a benefit from any
charitable act, whether a good feeling or a tangible
benefit. I’m not sure if I’m doing it for myself or for
others, or if it really matters. But giving back, the
credo of the access to justice folk, and the commitment of law schools and LSUC allow me to at least
feel like I’m doing some good, and becoming a better
person.
If you’ve been disengaged, disinterested, and
indifferent, I say volunteer, whether at PBSC, CLASP,
or anything else. There are tons of opportunities out
there for anyone and anything, and they run the
gamut. I used to sneer at people giving their time
to help those who couldn’t help themselves. I’m no
longer that person; I’ve been converted. And all it
took was a class of youth. On second thought, maybe
I should have become a teacher instead . . . u
ê Just do it.
If
you have
what
it takes.
Some people have long known what they want out of a career. They look beyond
their present and focus on their future: a future with international scope, global
clients and limitless possibilities.
If you are that person,
you’ve just found where your future lies.
Law around the world
nortonrosefulbright.com