Generosity
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Objectives
1. Define generosity and identify the
different types of generosity.
2. State the benefits of generosity.
3. Identify personal strengths and how to
match them to helping.
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Definitions of
Generosity
• Generosity is described as a
willingness to give, to share of
one’s time and/or resources,
without an expectation that the gift
or act will be returned. Generosity
can take many different forms.
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Types of Generosity
• Time
– Generosity can be serving meals during the holidays,
helping to build a house, keeping your neighbors’ child
while they are sick, helping your community plant trees
or cleaning up a park.
– 4-H volunteers provide many hours of their time to
youth by conducting 4-H club meetings, helping with
annual enrollment, organizing events and activities,
and helping to manage the fair.
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Types of Generosity
• Talents (Acts of Kindness)
– We can exhibit generosity in our thoughts
as well as in our acts of kindness.
– We can be generous in our thoughts and
actions towards others.
– We can speak kindly to our family and
friends.
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Types of Generosity
• Talents (Acts of Kindness)
– We can treat our adult volunteers and
teachers with respect and value their
contributions to us.
– We can stand up for those unable to
protect or defend themselves.
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Types of Generosity
• Treasures (Financial)
– Financial generosity is when you give
money to a cause or charity in which you
believe.
– Financial generosity gives financial support
to help organizations and/or charities carry
out their mission and goals.
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Benefits of Generosity
• Volunteering can boost your self-confidence.
• Generosity helps you become more
comfortable in social situations.
• Volunteering helps develop leadership skills
that can be helpful when you look for a job.
• Volunteer experiences can help you define a
career choice.
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Benefits of Generosity
• Volunteering can provide you with a sense of
well-being.
• Volunteers report sleeping better at night
knowing they did something to help others.
• Youth who volunteer to help others are less
likely to abuse drugs or smoke.
• Adults who volunteer are less likely to have
high blood pressure.
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Benefits of Generosity
• Volunteering gives you a sense of
belonging to your community or an
organization.
• Volunteering helps you master difficult
social interactions.
• Volunteering develops the independence
to try new acts of kindness.
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Group Discussion
• What causes/issues are you most
concerned about?
• What things do you do well?
• How can you use what you do well to
serve others?
• What kinds of generosity (activities) can
you do that match your talents?
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Assessing Your Talents
and Treasures
• Jot down at least three things in your journal about
yourself that you do well.
• Ask a friend or adult volunteer to share a comment
about your talents.
• Is this talent something that you were already aware
of or was it a new perspective?
• Record three positive comments that others have
said you are good at doing.
• Describe how you feel when you have given your
time, talents, and/or money to help others.
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Conclusion & Quiz
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Sources
• National & Community Service (2007). The health
benefits of volunteering: A review of recent research.
Washington, DC. Available at: [Link].
• Wallace, L. (2009). Unexpected payoffs: The benefits of
volunteering. No Map. No Guide. No Limits.
• White, D. J. & Arnold, M. E. (2003). Why they come,
why they go, and why they stay: Factors affecting
volunteerism in 4-H programs. Journal of Extension [on-
line]: 41(4). Available at:
[Link]
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