Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Imagine this for a second. It’s election time, and you’re standing in line to vote in your town’s municipal election. It's less than glamorous—fluorescent lighting, a drafty gymnasium, the smell of someone’s stale coffee lingering in the air. Fidgeting on your phone, scrolling while the line inches forward. But when it’s finally your turn, and you stand there with the ballot in your hand, something clicks.

The names on the page aren’t just strangers; they’re the people who’ll decide whether your neighbourhood park gets funding. Whether your friend’s mental health clinic stays open. Whether the local food bank can keep running.

You cast your vote and walk out the door. But you can’t shake the feeling that voting is just step one. There’s so much left to do.

Why Voting Is the First Step
When you vote, you’re not just choosing a leader. You’re setting the direction for your community. You’re saying, This is what I care about. This is what I’m fighting for. But here’s the thing: voting alone doesn’t fix the potholes, clean up the parks, or stock the food bank’s shelves. Voting sets the wheels in motion, sure, but it’s the follow-through—the action—that really gets things done.

Volunteering: The Follow-Through
Volunteering is what happens when you take the issues you voted on and put your hands, your time, and your heart into them. You voted for better schools? Tutoring kids after school is how you make that happen. You voted for climate action? Join a cleanup crew or advocate for local green initiatives. You voted for affordable housing? Help build it. Or spend time at a shelter listening to people’s stories and understanding what’s really at stake. Volunteering connects you to the very people you’re voting to support and the very problems you’re hoping to alleviate. It’s where your ideals meet reality.

Where the Two Meet
When you combine voting and volunteering, something powerful happens.
Volunteering makes you a smarter voter. When you’re out in the field—whether it’s packing boxes at a food bank or advocating for better public transit—you get firsthand knowledge of what’s working and what’s broken. This insight makes your vote more informed. Voting amplifies your volunteer efforts. Electing leaders who share your vision can fund the causes you care about, remove roadblocks, and make your volunteer work even more impactful. It’s a cycle. You vote for change, you volunteer to bring it to life, and the results of your volunteering fuel your next vote.

How You Can Get Started
If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between voting and volunteering, here are some ideas to get you started:

Vote With Intention
Before heading to the polls, take time to research the issues that matter most to you. Think about how they connect to the causes you’re already passionate about.

Volunteer Where It Counts
Find opportunities that align with your vote. If you’re passionate about public schools, look for local education programs. If you care about climate action, join a local advocacy group.

Be a Connector
Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to get involved. Share how voting and volunteering have shaped your perspective—it might inspire them to do the same.



Why it Matters
Here’s the truth: democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. It lives in the hands of the people who care enough to show up—both on Election Day and every other day of the year. Voting gives you a voice. Volunteering gives you the tools to use it. So next time you cast your vote, don’t stop there. Find a way to show up for your community. Get your hands dirty. Be the person who turns ideas into action. Because when voting and volunteering work together, that’s when real change happens.And honestly? It feels good to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Looking for more ways to impact your community? You can always visit our Continuum of Civic Engagement to learn more.