Northland is feeling the pinch of a shortage of volunteers from rugby clubs to Red Cross. Meanwhile, we have people pushing for a seat on our councils at the October elections. Those people need to know that volunteers are part of the picture. There are those putting their name up for Council who have never volunteered.

Whether your passion is art, culture, the environment, sport, education and training or caring for an ethnic or age group, there are Northland organisations out there who need you.  

Not enough of us are helping out, though. Is it a shortage of people?  Or is it that we are too busy?

Many of us try to get involved and when there is a disaster or something major happening around the world our Northlanders are usually the first to volunteer their time, yet it always seems to be the same people every time volunteering. It’s no secret that volunteering can be a very tiresome job and sometimes the results aren’t immediately obvious. But it can also be most satisfying when someone acknowledges the little tasks that you do. Sometimes a Thank You is all it takes.

Northland has a population of around 160,000 with growth of around 1500 people per year, there are hundreds of churches and many religious groups (including the small family size groups in the rural areas). There are also dozens of Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and Masons, and I’m not even counting the various community groups like Tiki pride, the CBD community patrol, plus our amazing SPCA, Salvation Army and Hospice. These groups all do an amazing job for our community.

I believe a lot of people may think their skills are not in demand or that there is no organisation out there they would ‘fit’ with. This month alone, volunteers are required to help with the Zonta book sale, wetland conservation, hospice patient therapy, weeding, helping disabled people, interviewing CAB users, literacy, repairing electrical items for Hospice, building projects at the Quarry, Special Olympics basketball, Habitat For Humanity, Plunket, sewing wetsuits, treasurers… Trust me, there are hundreds more!

There are hundreds of activities going on, and if you haven’t already committed your time, ask to tag along. You never know – you might enjoy it.