One thing I tell every volunteer is this: I have an 80% rule.
If you show up and give me 80% of what we planned, that’s fantastic. I can handle the last 20%.
Volunteering isn’t about perfection. It’s about participation. Life is busy. People have different abilities, different schedules, and different comfort levels. The goal isn’t to squeeze every ounce out of someone. The goal is to build momentum together. When someone gives what they can, the project moves forward. And when enough people do that, amazing things get done.
Plenty of folks don’t volunteer because they worry they won’t be good enough, strong enough, or skilled enough. That’s the wrong way to look at it. Most of the work is learn-as-you-go. We teach what needs teaching. We adjust plans in real time. And if something isn’t finished, that’s okay. There’s always another day. What matters is that you showed up and became part of the effort.
That 80% rule takes the pressure off. You don’t have to carry the whole project. You don’t have to solve every problem. Furthermore, you just bring your piece. I’ll bring mine. Someone else brings theirs. That’s how community work is supposed to function. Shared effort, shared ownership, shared pride in the result.
And the funny thing is, once people relax and realize they don’t have to be perfect, they usually give more than they expected. Not because anyone demanded it, but because working side by side with neighbors feels good. You see progress happen in real time. A trail opens up. A structure stands a little straighter. A space becomes usable again. You get to point at something and say, “I helped with that.”
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering but hesitated, this is your invitation. Come give your 80%. That’s more than enough. The rest we’ll figure out together.