Chapter 1 – Defining Public Service
1.7 Other Ways to Give Back
Public service doesn’t have to be a career; it can also be a fulfilling part of your personal life. This distinction is often made between a vocation and an avocation. A vocation is a profession or career, something you do for a living and where your primary focus is often on your job. In contrast, an avocation is an activity pursued outside of your main profession, usually for enjoyment or personal satisfaction. Volunteerism, civic engagement, and philanthropy often fall into this category of avocation, where individuals contribute to the public good, even if it’s not their primary job.
Volunteerism means offering your time and effort without pay to help a cause or organization. This could be tutoring students, serving meals at a shelter, or helping with a community cleanup. Volunteers often support the work of nonprofits, schools, and local governments.
Watch this video about how former President Jimmy Carter started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity:
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3MvPi62vTk
Duration: 2:35
Note: Just watch to the 2:35 minute mark.
Civic engagement is taking part in activities that address public concerns or shape how the community is run. This can include voting, attending town hall meetings, joining neighborhood associations, or participating in advocacy campaigns. Civic engagement helps ensure that community voices are heard in decision-making.
Advocacy is a critical aspect of civic engagement. It involves promoting a cause or policy to influence public opinion or government decisions. Advocates work to bring about change by raising awareness, lobbying legislators, and organizing campaigns. Whether advocating for freedom, individual rights, environmental protection, social justice, or public health, individuals can use their voices to drive important societal changes. Advocacy empowers individuals to stand up for what they believe in and to work toward a more just and equitable society.
Philanthropy involves giving money or other resources to support causes, organizations, or projects that benefit the public. Philanthropy can range from small individual donations to large gifts from foundations. These contributions often fund programs, research, or services that improve quality of life.
Together, these activities show that you do not need to work in a public service career to make a positive impact.
