Volunteer, to plant trees. No, this is not an article about the importance of trees and forests in our ecosystem; watch for that article on April 24, 2026, coincident with National Arbor Day. Instead, today I shall once again speak about the importance of nurturing other humans. (I know that many of my readers are strong volunteers, so this piece is for those who may not be quite as engaged.)
In the movie “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” the senior living executive compliments the character played by Maggie Smith by saying, “There’s nothing I admire more than someone planting trees under whose shade they may never get to sit.”
Volunteers are one of the keys to this tree-planting. The AI Overview told me that a volunteer is, “Someone who freely offers their time, skills, or service for a cause, community, or organization without expecting payment, driven by a desire to help or a sense of duty, rather than financial reward or legal obligation.” Sadly, every organization with which I work reports a steep decline in what I’ll call a spirit of volunteerism. AIA components struggle to secure leaders. Non-profit entities cannot fill governance roles. Community groups shutter for lack of engagement.
Volunteering is the very best way to give back to our profession, your community, and the planet. Perhaps, as the movie quotation alludes, we might not live to see the eventual results of the decisions we make, or the ‘end game’ from the actions we take. We may never know the lives we have touched or the beneficial impact of our service. Please do not let that stop you from engaging, serving, and leading!
As I often state, we are architects; for our clients, we envision futures that do not yet exist. Beyond these designs for your clients, jump in to design a better, stronger, healthier future for others, by volunteering. What can you contribute, starting today, to positively influence the future for the individuals both within and well beyond your sphere? Plant those trees!
“A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” ~ Saint Basil
Photo Credit: Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA
The Three Aspens 