b'Article to Come by 8/16/19 ?2019-2020State Officers and DirectorsCEOs Message"Benefitsof Volunteering "T he WPMA Executive Committee and our state Tassociation boards are organized and run by volunteers.Many might ask, why volunteer? What will I ever get but the loss of my time and efforts? Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, and even feel happier and healthier. WPMA ChiefExecutive OfficerAn article I read recently outlined benefits to consider when asked to serve as a (CEO) volunteer. Here are some of the main points:Gene Inglesby Why Volunteer?With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. While its true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits youll experience, volunteering doesnt have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness.Connect to Others in Your CommunityOne of the more well-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the com-munity. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.Make New Friends and ContactsOne of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. It strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.Increase Your Social and Relationship SkillsWhile some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, its easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.Improve Your Mind and Body Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical healthVolunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound ef-fect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.continued on page 406 www.wpma.com / Autumn 2019'