HappyVol: What would you do?

You are a volunteer with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Your position is that of a [[Vision Mate-> What is a Vision Mate?]]. On a weekly basis, you go grocery shopping with an elderly woman named Sofia. Sofia has glaucoma in both eyes, with partial vision in one eye. Sofia is also hard of hearing. As a result of her illness and disability, Sofia has become incredibly isolated and consequently depressed. It is up to you to [[brighten her week-> Good Morning]].

As a Vision Mate, your job is to provite sighted assistance to an individual (otherwise referred to as "CNIB member") who is blind or partially sighted. Responsibilities can range between assisting with reading, computer assistance, shopping, recreation assistance, community access, and going for walks. Vision Mates volunteer in their own neighbourhood, on days and times that are convenient for them (including evenings and weekends).

Before meeting Sofia for the first time, you must call her to identify where it is that you two will meet. While you are talking on the phone with Sofia, the two of you have problems with communicating. Sofia cannot hear what you are saying. You either: begin to speak [[louder-> Louder Ain't Better]] or [[more slowly-> Slow and Steady Wins the Race]].

Actually, this isn't the best option for communicating with someone who is hard of hearing. More likely it will offend him or her rather than improve your communication. Louder ain't better. Go back and try one more time.

You picked right! Speaking loudly is not an effective communication style for talking with those who are hard of hearing. You know that slow and steady wins the race. Always speak ''slowly'' and ''clearly''. Enunciation is key here, whether you are speaking to someone who is hard of hearing, who has partial vision, or who is blind. Effective communication is essential for optimal support of the CNIB member. Now, [[back to your meeting with Sofia.-> Deciding the Meeting Location]]

You have spoken to Sofia on the phone and decided that you will be meeting at her home. [[She gives you the entry code to her apartment building-> Is this right?]] so that you can greet her at her apartment door. Before taking off, you either: [[ask Sofia where you will be shopping that day and how far each store is-> How long of a trip, and how to prepare]], [[remind Sofia of the weather and what outerwear she should bring-> Making sure that the CNIB member has a comfortable experience]], or [[nod along and comply with everything Sofia does to prepare for the shopping trip-> Wrong: You are Responsible for the CNIB member]].

So, really, why are you asking how long this shopping trip will take? Are you hoping to get back home and reunite with Netflix? Probably. But you're //also// probably considering how long of a trip //Sofia// will be taking, and how this will have to be paced out according to her mobility. Knowing the destinations will allow you to plan better routes to minimize walking, avoid treacherous paths (streets that are poorly snow-plowed, inclines, declines, etc.), and be time efficient. Your elderly CNIB member, and your Netflix binge, will thank you. [[Now, away we go.-> Journey begins.]]

A great choice. You recognize that Sofia's disabilities may have prevented her from accessing a weather report. By letting her know what the weather is and suggesting outerwear, you're making more comfortable Sofia's experience with her CNIB Vision Mate. Not only are you helping Sofia, but in recognizing her future experience of the weather, you inadvertently helped yourself. [[Here's how. | Benefits of Considering Others' Long Term Plans]] [[Now, away we go.-> Journey begins.]]

Unfortunately, this is not the most rewarding choice for either Sofia or for you as a Vision Mate. With this option, the Vision Mate is doing nothing significant to support the CNIB member, nor is the Vision Mate doing anything that enriches his or her own experience of volunteering. You know the saying "you get what you give"? In this case, it's not much. Go back and try again.

In a neuroscientific study conducted by Dr. Jorge Moll on the fMRI-scanned brain activity of those engaging in charitable behaviour, it was found that generosity, or “the joy of giving,” has an anatomical basis in the brain, specifically one that is related to selfish longing and rewards. When participating in high generosity, participants showed high activity in their prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that is responsible for many behaviours, including long term planning and personality development. Participants showed particularly high activity in their posterior superior prefrontal cortex (which is responsible for complex decision making) when engaging in generous behaviour. The study looked at participants' motives for being generous or charitable and found that participants were generous even at a cost to themselves. The study concluded with the theory that generosity is associated with the human instinct to perceive and to pursue the goals or long term plans of others. The pursuit of the goals or long term plans of others, therefore, can be interpreted as an effort to support one’s community or network. In this sense, altruism can be perceived as self-supportive behaviour.

You have begun your walk with Sofia. Your shopping trip will consist of visiting a local fruit and vegetable grocer, a natural food market, and a holistic dispensary. Sofia really digs all-natural foods and supplements. While you make your way to the fruit and vegetable grocer, you either: [[strike up a conversation about recent events-> Talk, talk, talk!]], [[stay quiet and enjoy the walk-> Silence is not golden]], or [[ask Sofia about her daily life-> Suss out whether Sofia is being properly cared for]].

The foundation or organization that you are volunteering with may discourage this. It is up to you to consult with your Volunteering Administrator at the foundation or organization that you are volunteering with, and check whether they think you should take this type of information from the person you are supporting. In this case, we will assume that you, the volunteer, have confirmed that it is accepted that you take this information. It was deemed particularly crucial that you have this information because of the difficulty that you and Sofia may have finding one another in a location less defined than her front door.

Striking up a conversation about recent events is fun. You chat about it with your friends, your family, your coworkers... So why not do the same with Sofia? Yes, it may happen at a slower pace because of Sofia's communicative setbacks, but it will be all the more rewarding for her and for you when she gets to bounce her ideas off of you. Who knows, she may not have anyone to talk to about these things. She also may bring up something that you hadn't considered before. Either way, you won't know until you know. This is a great way to offer moral support without //really// offering moral support. Being social with Sofia and developing a back and forth will be great for her //and// for you! [[Here's how. | Social Support of Others and How It Helps You]] [[Now, back to that walk.-> Getting to the fruit market]]

This is not the best option. Although it may be nice to stay quiet, and simpler not to work through a challenging conversation with Sofia considering her disabilities, this is not the most beneficial option for you nor for Sofia. You are aware of Sofia's condition and the effect that it has had on her mental and emotional well-being. She suffers from depression, and could probably use a pick-me-up. Chat Sofia up. Get to know her. Maybe get a laugh out of her. Whatever you do, don't alienate her more by keeping silent. Who knows, she may just be your new BFF.

Asking Sofia about her daily life is a ''great'' way to suss out whether she is getting the care she needs. Does she need a social worker? Does she have a social worker? Is her social worker doing his or her job properly? Does she have a lot of doctor's appointments? Can she get to these appointments on her own, or does she have the help she needs to get to these appointments? Is she managing her condition well? Overall, //how// is Sofia doing? You may not yet be at the point at which you can ask Sofia these questions directly, but talking to her about her daily life is the perfect place to start. Your role is to be there for Sofia, so be there! Be a friend and make sure she's doing A-OK. This is also a perfect opportunity to be a source of moral support for Sofia. Studies show that being a source of moral support, or social support, is beneficial not only for the person receiving support but also for those giving social support. [[Here's how. | Social Support of Others and How It Helps You]] [[Now, back to that walk.-> Getting to the fruit market]]

In their study on the benefits of socially supporting others, Rachel L Piferi and Kathleen A Lawler look at the underlying mechanism of //how// and //why// individuals who give substantial social support to others exhibit decreased mortality rates and superior physical health. Cardiovascular disease is the focal point of this study (because it is the leading cause of death in the U.S.). Piferi and Lawler ask: how does increased social integration trigger improved recovery from health issues that stem from cardiovascular disease? They found that generosity and volunteerism allow patients to “[cease] focusing on their own illness,” and instead focus on “someone other than themselves.” In doing so, people demonstrate improved psychosocial status, showing improved “self-esteem, self-efficacy, [and] happiness,” decreasing the intensity of feelings of depression and stress, both of which are associated with illness. Results show that being socially supportive to others is a “significant predictor” of lower ambulatory blood pressure. This is //great//, since high “ambulatory blood pressure levels have been shown to strongly predict various [negative] cardiovascular outcomes." This study shows that being socially supportive fosters one’s feelings of self-efficacy, decreases one's perceived stress, and lowers systolic blood pressure. Leading a socially supportive lifestyle significantly lowers participants’ ambulatory blood pressures, improving overall cardiovascular health. A significant aspect of Piferi and Lawler’s study is the age of the participants, who range in age from 17-25. Therefore, this tentative theory, that giving to others is related to health, is not limited to those who suffer from preexisting illnesses, but also applies to those without illness (younger adults) as a prophylactic for cardiovascular disease.

You get to the fruit market and ask Sofia what it is that she's looking for. She says she wants seven oranges and seven lemons. This lady likes her vitamin C. (And no, we are not about to solve a math problem.) Sofia is not physically capable of carrying fourteen pieces of fruit, so it's up to you to take care of this. Do you have a bag to carry everything? Do you have a shopping trolley? You couldn't have predicted this large of a purchase, but it's important to ''always be prepared''. You are not just a source of moral or social support for Sofia, but also at times, a source of physical support. Be prepared with the right accessories (on most days, a classic backpack should do the trick). [[Now, with citrus fruit in tow, onto the all-natural food market.-> Natural Food Market]]

You get to the all-natural food market. You go through the isles and help Sofia reach for all the items that she cannot access. After Sofia finds her canned pinto beans, her coconut oil, and ancient grains granola, the two of you make your way to the cash. At the cash, Sofia hands you her debit card and begins to tell you her PIN. You either: [[take the PIN and enter it for her (because she has trouble doing this herself)-> Yikes! Don't take sensitive information]] or [[stop her from sharing this sensitive information and, instead, guide her through the process of inputting her PIN independently-> Sofia's safety first]].

You may be wondering: why would Sofia need help with this in the first place? [[Here's why.-> Why Sofia needs you to input her PIN]] Deciding whether to take this information is a difficult choice. Obviously it feels wrong to take someone's PIN, but Sofia asked you to do this for her. So, ''what do you do?'' Most foundations or organizations will insist that you do //not// take such sensitive information from the person that you are supporting. When in doubt, ''say no'' and wait until you have a chance to speak with your Volunteer Administrator about the right course of action. Until then, you can help Sofia input the PIN on her own by showing her where the "5" is on the keypad. Sofia should be able to go from there. [[Now, onto the wholistic dispensary.-> The dispensary]]

You may be wondering: why would Sofia need help with this in the first place? [[Here's why.-> Why Sofia needs you to input her PIN]] Stopping Sofia from sharing her PIN is the most responsible choice. It is also the safest choice, especially for Sofia. In stopping her from sharing this sensitive information, you've not only protected privacy, but also taught her that she shouldn't be so liberal with such information. ''This is something that Sofia needs to be aware of.'' Be careful, though, when you guide her through the process of inputting the PIN that you do not learn the pin. Help her by showing her where the "5" is on the keypad. Sofia should be able to go from there. [[Now, onto the wholistic dispensary.-> The dispensary]]

You arrive at the holistic dispensary. Sofia looks around the store and finds the liquid iron supplement and herbal tea that she was looking for. Now, from experience, you know //not// to input her PIN for her once you're at the cash. Again, you will want to help her find the "5" on the keypad so that she can input the PIN herself. There is one thing to keep in mind with purchases like these. [[Can you think of what it is?-> Sensitivity!]] Now, holistic health treats in hand, [[you and Sofia hit the road once more.-> On the road again]]

One possibility is that Sofia's condition was recently diagnosed. In this case, she will not have had much practice functioning with only partial vision. Another possibility is that Sofia may have had a close friend or family member to depend on in the past, and never had to function independently or learn to use a PIN with partial vision. In any case, it is best to be positive. Do not make comments about Sofia's difficulty with this⎯that could offend her or make her feel discouraged. As her Vision Mate, your role is as Sofia's supporter. So, go Sofia, go!

While you and Sofia make your way back to Sofia's home, you run into a neighbour. Benita, the wacky neighbourhood dog lady, wants to stop and chat. You and Benita are just getting to talking about how her dogs are doing, when, all of a sudden, she realizes that you have company. Benita asks who Sofia is. You either: [[tell Benita that Sofia is a CNIB member who you grocery shop with weekly-> Oversharing]], [[that Sofia is your grandmother-> A lie that goes too far]], or [[that Sofia is a friend-> Sweet and Simple (and right)]].

Telling Benita that Sofia is a CNIB member is likely a breach of confidentiality, an agreement that Sofia probably signed with the organization. To breach this privacy agreement is a //big// no-no. Luckily, the organization that you are volunteering with will give you training on how to deal with circumstances like this one, so you will be prepared on how to act accordingly. Good effort, but for now, go back and try again.

This has a few issues with it. If you are making this up to protect Sofia's privacy, how very noble of you. That nobility, however, will likely not come across to Sofia. Sofia could be uncomfortable with the forwardness of this familial alignment between you two, or she could be offended by the dig at her age. In either circumstance, this, a blatant lie, is an unprofessional thing to say while on the job. It is best to be honest. If you go back and try again, you will soon know how to ''be honest'' //and// ''be professional'' in a tough bind such as this one.

Bingo! This is a great way to respect Sofia's privacy, be honest with Benita, and give Sofia a lovely compliment. Because she //is// your friend. You need not give more information than the fact that Sofia is your friend and that you go grocery shopping with her. Benita, even with her heaps of distracting dogs, will likely catch the hint to not pry. Soon after you introduce Sofia and Benita, you say goodbye to Benita and her dogs, and [[you and Sofia go on your merry way.-> Almost home]]

Something to keep in mind, especially when assisting your CNIB member with purchases like this, is sensitivity! Being sensitive to his or her private life by //not// asking why he or she is taking a certain supplement, or similar personal health questions, is important. This seems self-explanatory, but it is important to strike the right balance between keeping an eye on your CNIB member's well-being and breaching their privacy. Unlike asking your CNIB member about his or her daily life in order to suss out his or her social and home care (like you did on your walk), asking personal health and medical questions is, well, out of the question.

You are approaching the end of the yellow brick road! As you and Sofia make your way back to her apartment building, slowly nearing your farewell, you have a few choices as to how you will finish the trip. You can either: [[ask Sofia if she needs your help with any household chores-> Laundry card and mail-reading time (also link to volunteering study)]] or [[give her space after that long walk and head home to your Netflix account.-> Not rewarding for you or for her]]

Good for you! You have picked the most supportive option. And luckily, Sofia only needs you to read a letter for her and help her unscrew a pesky pickle jar. This will take just five minutes, //and// it gives you longlasting benefits! [[Read about how going above and beyond, and practicing "high volunteerism," helps //you//. | Volunteerism Study on old peeps]] Now that you have helped out Sofia, and (as it's been scientifically proven) yourself as well, you can [[head back home to that Netflix binge!-> One more thing]]

This option is not rewarding for your //or// for Sofia, except that it may get you back to your Netflix binge a little sooner. Sofia could have something that she needs you to help her with, something small that may make her daily life much simpler! Really, how much time does it take to read out a letter from her cousin, show her how to check her voicemail, or open up a stubborn pickle jar? (Well... that last one could take days.) If you go back and check out the other option, asking Sofia if she needs your help with any household chores, you can read about how //you// benefit from going above and beyond for Sofia. So, go back and try one more time! You are almost at the finish line.

##Welcome to HappyVol! Before you delve into our website and try to figure out what it can do for you, we want to ask you a question: what can //you// do for you? A follow up question: are you familiar with that //great// feeling that you get after you do something good for someone else? That feeling, and what it does for your health, is what HappyVol is all about. Where the good comes from is a little something called oxytocin. For a brief read up on oxytocin and its benefits, [[click here. | Oxytocin benefits]] But //how// can you get your hands on oxytocin? What's one more way to promote oxytocin production? Well, look inward and that's where you'll it. It's true what they say: happiness (or oxytocin) comes from within. Studies show that the act of giving, whether it's your time, money, or other resources, promotes the production of oxytocin. It's all in our name. HappyVol encourages people to volunteer in their area to promote mental health. For a more thorough description of HappyVol's services, [[follow this link-> HappyVol website description.]].

You are about to embark on a //journey//, the ~journey of a volunteer~. The following will present a hypothetical situation with various issues that you (as the volunteer) must respond to. Your responses may trigger different results, which can be either: (1) beneficial for you, (2) beneficial for the organization or person that you are supporting, or (3) beneficial for all. Select the option that best suits how you would behave in real life. This way, you will ''recognize'' //and// be able to ''learn from your mistakes'' (that is, if you happen to make any). [[Start.-> Your Role: Vision Mate]]

In 1999, Doug Orman et al. conducted a study on the effects that volunteering has on the a group of eldery participants, whose ages range from 55 years and older. The study does not discriminate between different types of volunteering, and includes, but is not limited to, the effects of volunteering experiences such as “committee work, educational tutoring, community fund-raising, environmental cleanup, or other activities." The study looks at the health effects of different levels of volunteerism: if a person volunteers at ''one'' organization, he or she practices “moderate volunteerism;" if he or she volunteers at ''two or more'' organizations, he or she practics “high volunteerism." (High volunteerism is also attributed to participants who volunteer for more than four hours in one week.) The mortality rate for those who practiced high volunteerism decreased by 50 percent by the end of the study. These "high" volunteers showed the lowest mortality rate //and// improved test results. Furthermore, high volunteerism is associated with fewer strokes and less shortness of breath. The study shows the “persistent protective effect against mortality [that high volunteerism has] in an elderly population,” with an overall “44 percent reduction in mortality associated with high volunteerism." The study also touches on the health benefits reaped by those who are highly social and who have a substantive group of friends, family, and peers who are emotionally supportive. These individuals exhibit improved health and significantly lower mortality rates. The benefits of high volunteerism, then, do not //just// originate its philanthropic nature, but also from its ability to expand one's social circle and thus circle of social support.

Here you are, at the finish line! Good for you. We hope you learned something about volunteering. We certainly did. One more thing, though. (We know, we know...) Make sure that you clarify with Sofia the date of your next meeting. Will the day of the week always remain the same? Is this a good time for her? Will your shopping destinations change week by week? Schedule your meeeting accordingly. Other than that, have a great Netflix binge, and see you next time! [[Works Cited-> Works Cited]]

Works Cited Dvorsky, George. "10 Reasons Why Oxytocin Is The Most Amazing Molecule In The World." Io9. I09, 12 July 2012. Web. 5 Apr. 2016. <http://io9.gizmodo.com/5925206/10-reasons-why-oxytocin-is-the-most-amazing-molecule-in-the-world>. Oman, Doug, Carl E. Thoreson, and Kay McMahon. "Volunteerism and Mortality among the Community-dwelling Elderly." Journal of Health Psychology 4.3 (1999): 301-16. Sage Journals. Web. 3 Apr. 2016. <http://hpq.sagepub.com/content/4/3/301.full.pdf+html>. Piferi, Rachel L., and Kathleen A. Lawler. "Social Support and Ambulatory Blood Pressure: An Examination of Both Receiving and Giving." International Journal of Psychophysiology 62.2 (2006): 328-36. Science Direct. Web. 3 Apr. 2016. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876006001917>. Stimson, Daniel. "Inner Workings of the Magnanimous Mind." : National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 4 Apr. 2007. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/brain_activity_during_altruism.htm>.

Oxytocin, otherwise known as the "trust hormone," is a brain chemical that has countless benefits for you health (literally, countless⎯scientists discover more of its benefits year by year). Your brain releases oxytocin all the time. When you hug someone, think about (or even just //look// at) someone you care about, share a joke with an acquaintance, pet your cat, or any number of things, varying amounts of oxytocin are released in your brain. This miracle hormone, a trait of all mammals, can encourage healing, reduce pain, help mothers in childbirth and in establishing a connection with their newborn, relieve generalized stress and anxiety, lessen the effects of post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD), prevent obesity, function as an anti-depressant, and //increase generosity//.

HappyVol's goal is to encourage people to volunteer more, not just for community benefit, but for ''individual benefit''! Generosity is a resource not fully tapped, and we hope to make it more so. Some of the components of our website include: ● A collective of volunteering opportunities; these are available sorted by name, region, or type of volunteering. ● A quiz that will determine (using information from the collective mentioned above) what volunteering opportunity is best suited to you, based on region, personality type, and personal and professional goals. (''Share your results'' with your friends and family on social media, and start a volunteering trend!) ● Discussion boards on which users can read anecdotes on others' experiences, or have dialogues about different volunteering opportunities. ● An interactive storyline that replicates a //real life// volunteering experience. To try out this interactive narrative, see the link below. [[Click here to check out a hypothetical volunteering experience.-> What would you do?]]

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Welcome to HappyVol!

Before you delve into our website and try to figure out what it can do for you, we want to ask you a question: what can you do for you? A follow up question: are you familiar with that great feeling that you get after you do something good for someone else?

That feeling, and what it does for your health, is what HappyVol is all about. Where the good comes from is a little something called oxytocin. For a brief read up on oxytocin and its benefits,

click here.

But how can you get your hands on oxytocin? What's one more way to promote oxytocin production? Well, look inward and that's where you'll it. It's true what they say: happiness (or oxytocin) comes from within. Studies show that the act of giving, whether it's your time, money, or other resources, promotes the production of oxytocin.

It's all in our name. HappyVol encourages people to volunteer in their area to promote mental health. For a more thorough description of HappyVol's services,

follow this link