What would make you volunteer for a good cause?

So we are all touched by events that cause others suffering in one way or another, be that illness, natural disasters or poverty. Only a small percentage of people will actively go out of their way to make a difference, where as the majority will donate a little money and the rest just block it out of their head.

So the question is what moves you to make a difference?

Oxfam last TV ad campaign (2008) started to look differently on how we respond to calls for help from charities. They moved away from the images of depression, disease and famine that the general public are just over exposed too. The campaign success was a matter of opinion for many (personally just didn’t like the advert) But it leads me to think, what makes me want to give…

Usually its what is in it for me? Will I feel good for getting involved? Is there a commercial opportunity through PR etc & how easy is it to give (giving is time as well as money).

Do I need shocking? Do the images charities and organisation usually use actually shock me into acting – No. As said before we are over exposed to these images and our brains can easily be distracted by something more positive rather than dwelling on the negative.

Do I need inspiring? Yes, something is needed to capture my imagination. When we took part in a Barnardo’s corporate fundrasing gig, it was because the activity appealed to me. It was an Apprentice style challenge or making money on one day with a business idea – well sign me up was my reaction as soon as I had the email.

Basically this is my ramblings of  trying to get down into the cracks of human nature, what makes us tick in order to give something for a ‘good cause’. It would be great to get some responses on what makes you take that decision to help an organisation, so feel free to comment.

To conclude – my ramblings – I personally feel that appealing to the individual makes you take action. What ever motivates me in live will motivate me to give up my time for a good cause.