I do not want to knock volunteering, that is not the intent.  It is very important, meaningful, and fulfilling.  It seems that we need to develop a name for levels of volunteering or a numbering system because there is a difference.  Hear me out.  These are the levels that I have identified so far.

• Just happy to help volunteer – You will show up at an event a little early to complete the assigned task and probably no more.  You will hand out bananas at a race, have people sign on the needed line, take payment for baked goods, send the informational email, make sure children are not hurting each other, etc.  You know this kind of volunteering because there is not special training or requirements.  Your job is to point, give simple 3-word directions, do one thing, responsible adult stuff to pretty much keep order, make people smile, or serve as a casual reminder for people to be honest.  You usually do not know the big picture, the whole organization, or all of the plans and will be contacting someone to provide answers to questions beyond your specific job.  You really want as little responsibility as possible and just want to smile the whole time in blissful ignorance.  Everyone should get a chance to do this often, it is rewarding and easy. You are “paid” in the doing-a-good-deed, good-karma kind of way.

• Happy to Help Leader – Above on steroids!  You plan it, people are calling you for information and answers.  You helped create this beautiful thing that will take on an identity of its own.  Blood, sweat, tears are all included.  You have probably lost sleep, time, energy, money, and weight due to this contribution.  You did not need any special training.  You probably have some kind of natural superpower in leading, organizing, patience, communication, etc.  Your volunteer time spent comes in spurts and breaks.  You will allow this to consume you at some point but are easily reeled in by a loved one who will harm you or leave if you do not put this in perspective. You swear every year you will never do that again then somehow forget and do it again.  You should do this at least once in your life.  Really, let someone else be torture-rewarded next year and then show up with food or drink after to care for them.  (Side note: You will either love or loath this person for out-doing you or letting it fall apart.  It does not matter because this is a special bond you two now have.) You are “paid” in the job well done comments, the high from seeing this thing your created take flight, people tell you how incredible you are (or they are just down-right mean), sometimes you get special perks (this is more rare).

• Unpaid Not-quite-professional – You took and/or paid for a special training to be better at this non-job.  You have less busy times but this gig is a year round.  An entire group of people do not exist without your leadership.  People act like they have no idea what to do when you are not there but will complain relentlessly about ALL your flaws.  The amount of hate and love you receive will never make sense. No one, not even you, understands how much time you put into this because everyone looses time during 2 am Google Searches and YouTube time warps.  You have put more money into this than you should have, you know this and continue to do because it is like an addiction; you will tell no one and never admit to it. Your spouse feels single during the “busy season.”  Your children, family, and friends call you by your title instead of your name because this becomes a physical part of you.  Blood, sweat and tears are not only a standard but probably a monthly, if not weekly, event.  One day you will have to stop doing it and you fear that day more than losing your job because you will have no idea what to do with yourself anymore.  You will swear to stop and walk away awhile starting one more task you really don’t need to do but feel like you probably should.  You will quit the entire job and start again within seconds, this is truly borderline self-harm at this point and yet strangely satisfying.  Not everyone will do this in their lifetime and that is perfectly fine.  You either can do this because you love it or you do not need to do it at all!  You are “paid” in the accomplishments and growth of others. While this sounds small and distant to others, to you it feels priceless or like winning the lottery.

Yes, every single one of these is necessary to get a lot of things done.  Whole organizations and events would not be doable without them all.  They are all wonderful and infuriating.  People will do each when they shouldn’t and not when they should.  Some of the most incredible human beings are found in each of these roles.  One thing that is true—we need to stop doing is calling them “just a volunteer.”  Regardless of their level, they are much more.  Please stop saying “We are all just volunteers here.”  It has become a gate of permission.  Permission for terrible behavior on both sides.  

I am a (enter title here) volunteer because I chose to make a difference.  

I am a (enter title here) and I am working on getting better.  

I am a (enter title here) because this is important to me.

I am a (enter title here) and I deserve respect with the accountability.  

I am not just a volunteer.