PENSION & FINANCIAL WELLNESS

Alain Lévesque

Pension & Financial Wellness Committee Member and ARTA Treasurer

It took me by surprise. I gave a quick response about the sense of fulfillment I get from working such events. But as the day went on, that simple question stayed on my mind. Why was I really here?

As a teacher, I was often asked to volunteer for Christmas concerts, coaching student sports teams, hosting extra-curricular activities, or to be the ATA school representative. I did all of that, and more, even becoming part of my ATA Local’ s executive team. All of this was considered volunteer work but, to me, it was part of my job. Then, one summer day about twenty years ago, a friend asked me to volunteer at a triathlon event during my summer break. I was shocked. This event had nothing to do with my job, and I didn’ t even know anything about triathlon. I said yes, learned fast, and fell in love with the sport— not as a participant, mind you, but as a volunteer. Since then, every summer I find some sporting event to volunteer for. I’ ve helped run triathlons, marathons, 3x3 basketball world championships, swimming competitions, and— my favourite— the Kids of Steel Triathlon. These experiences have enriched my life in so many ways.

After retirement, many of us don’ t need paid work to pay the bills, but we still may be looking for fulfilling ways to spend our time. Volunteering tends to pay you back in ways that aren’ t obvious at first, but they add up quickly and you start to take notice.

1. Career advantages

Although less relevant now, all the volunteering I did while teaching helped to shape my career. Volunteering shows initiative, reliability, and even expertise that you can put on a resume, and sometimes can lead directly to job opportunities, even after retirement.

2. Stronger sense of purpose

Helping others gives your time a clear meaning. Teachers know this, as do many other retired professionals. Many people find that volunteering boosts motivation and makes every day feel more worthwhile.

3. Improved mental health

Volunteering gives me something to focus on outside of my own experience, and this shift in perspective helps to lower stress and improve my mood.

4. Social connection

Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to meet people outside your usual circle. It also takes the pressure off communication, as you’ re typically working toward a shared goal.

5. Skill-building

I’ ve developed and honed so many skills through volunteering, like communication, teamwork, leadership, and organization— not to mention, the athletes have inspired me to be more active myself.

16 | arta. net IMAGINE