(Alexandria, Va. – August 11, 2009)—Do you want to bring more joy into your life? Volunteer! But wait a minute—not just for anything. Critical decisions need to be made first, or the “joy” of volunteering may escape you.

A recent issue of the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, published by the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), focuses on Giving as a Way of Life: Its Benefits, Not Its Costs. One of the feature articles explains how you can get the most out of your volunteer work. Some individuals just can’t say “no,” but, according to Juanita Mendenhall’s article in this issue, they should; otherwise, they will be miserable or will just “let the ship sink.”

Here are four steps to ensuring a successful volunteer experience:

1. Volunteering should be a freely assumed moral obligation—not a guilt trip.
2. Before you agree to take on a volunteer role, be sure that what you will do has a real benefit.
3. Determine if the conditions are conducive to progress and that you understand expectations.
4. Don’t overload yourself.

“Pie in the sky” volunteering is not what society needs right now, according to Mendenhall. Careful scrutiny on both sides early in the process will help you find the true joy in volunteering!

As noted by AAFCS Executive Director Carolyn W. Jackson, CFCS, in her editorial in this issue, Winston Churchill’s philosophy applies today: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

About AAFCS
Founded in 1909 as the American Home Economics Association, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is the only national not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization providing leadership and support to FCS students and professionals in multiple practice settings. FCS professionals help individuals, families, and communities make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. AAFCS’ more than 6,000 members are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, researchers, and administrators; Cooperative Extension educators; and other professionals in business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. These professionals provide research and applied knowledge in the areas of personal finance, child development and parenting, consumer education, housing and environment, apparel and textiles, and health and nutrition. With national headquarters based in Alexandria, Va., AAFCS has 52 affiliates located across the United States and Puerto Rico.