Volunteer service represents selfless service to help people, the environment, communities and/or the nation. However, even though volunteer service must be, at its core, guided by a commitment to selfless service, it does not mean that volunteers do not receive important benefits and rewards and the opportunity for self-improvement that can transform the individual volunteer’s personal and professional future. Apart from the personal gratification of seeing how one’s service positively impacts others and the nation, volunteers can (and should) take advantage of the opportunity to learn new skills, competencies, and capabilities, in addition to gaining leadership experience and knowledge that they can leverage for new personal, academic and career pursuits.
Volunteer service represents ‘leadership in action’ because it reflects the synthesis of self-sacrifice, responsibility, and informed action to achieve a positive outcome or output that transcends the ordinary. In effect, volunteers are extraordinary people who are and will be the future leaders of the country. Because all leadership is principled, the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) is promulgating the following principles as the core principles for the CamboCorps Youth Volunteer Service.
1. Commitment & Leadership
Volunteers must be committed to ‘The cause’ they are serving and be willing to dedicate their time and energy to make a difference. Commitment is part and parcel to leadership because leaders cannot drive creativity, motivate change, or inspire action in others if they are not deeply committed themselves.
2. Compassion & Respect
Volunteers must have a strong sense of empathy and a desire to help others without any expectation of reward or recognition. Respect is a critical component in the principle of compassion. Volunteers must be respectful of the people they are working with and the communities they are serving, being mindful of the differences they encounter and, treating everyone with dignity and kindness.
3. Collaboration & Teamwork
Volunteers must understand the importance of collaboration and teamwork, because success depends upon not only one’s actions but also the engagement and participation of stakeholders. True collaboration is achieved through teamwork and all volunteers must recognize that teamwork is essential at small groups, community, and national levels to ensure sustainable success.
