Last year, I wrote this article about my reasons for volunteering for my national translators’ association. I was thinking about it again as I’ve just stepped down after twelve months as Auckland branch president. 

Looking now at my three key points, that volunteering
⭐ gives me a better understanding of the wider T&I industry,
⭐ involves me in communal action for the better, and
⭐ connects this working-from-home, socially isolated freelancer to other people,
I’ve realised that I missed one really important detail. Which is that I am constantly benefitting from the support, guidance and wisdom of translators who are more experienced than I am, and that volunteering in a role that allows me to share some of what I’ve learnt just feels like the right thing to do.

What about everyone else? Do you volunteer in some capacity, and if so, what motivates you?