By the time you read this article, both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions will have taken place. And political yard signs will begin sprouting up around town like mushrooms after a rainstorm.

As someone who is madly in love with America and our democratic (lower case “d”) processes, I usually love this time of year. Smart candidates trying to convince smart constituents to vote for them at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Lots of great ideas about the future of our community, our state, our country. And lively conversations about what we believe.

But these past few election cycles have gotten more heated and stressful. Some pundits have cast the upcoming U.S. presidential election as being “the most important of our lifetime,” “the most important ever,” or “the one where democracy hangs in the balance.” Even in a small community like ours, I have witnessed politics getting far too personal as neighbors fight over yard signs. Tear each down personally on social media. Engage in screaming matches in public places.

Many of us peace-seeking souls are looking for the one super-leader who can rally us together. Or we draw into ourselves by avoiding social media for all the self-harm we do by reading caustic comments, refuse to share our perspectives when invited to share them, or prepare for a mental knife-fight at Thanksgiving with that relative who is the polar political opposite of us. Sometimes, it feels like the great political divide is one that will never be breached.

That said, I remain optimistic for our future. Not because whoever wins the White House will sprinkle magic fairy dust and make us love each other. Not because someone will blow up the Internet and that virtual platform of vitriol will no longer exist. Not because someday in the future (January 20, 2025?), the wolf will live with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the goat (Isaiah 11:6). No, I remain optimistic about our ability to bridge the political divide because volunteering is in our DNA.

What is so magical about volunteering that it can solve what ails our nation? A few things:

1. Volunteering makes us place “service above self.”

I am a Rotarian and our motto is “service above self.”. When we work at a food pantry, read to a child, or pick up litter from along our streets, we forget about ourselves for that period of time and focus on the task at hand. Rather than our head swimming with our worries, we focus on the needs of others and do what we can to make their lives better. In addition to Rotary, there are numerous organizations in our community that engage in selfless efforts to invest in our neighbors, our community, and our environment.

2. Volunteering places us in the company of others who are doing good things.

Unless we are doing a solitary activity such as driving to deliver meals to those in need, we are usually interacting with others when we volunteer. We see others who share our commitment to improving the lives of others – which shines a positive light on them. Even if people started volunteering as strangers, they usually conclude their service knowing someone a little better. And if we discover that the nice person with whom we volunteered is of a different political persuasion, it can be more challenging to view them negatively. After all, how could a “bad” person want to make our community a better place? Maybe we give them the benefit of the doubt and hear what they have to say. Even if we don’t agree, the act of having a civil conversation is itself an investment in our community.

3. Volunteering redirects our time and energy from the virtual world to the real world.

I find that when I doomscroll on social media, I use up time and energy that I will never again have. I feel depleted and depressed. On the other hand, I feel the complete opposite when I volunteer. I generally feel like I have used my time to great benefit and feel elated. People experience a medical benefit when they put down their phones and help others.

4. Volunteering changes us for the better.

Volunteering is like exercise: the more you do it, the greater results you will see. And top among those results is an attitude adjustment. Personally, I have noticed a shift in my own attitude the more I help others. No longer am I annoyed when I drive by that house with all the political signs that used to make me shiver. I see people who are engaged in aggressive discourse as people who truly want a better world and are struggling just like I am to find the right words and the right solution.

If you are genuinely interested and invested in attempting the audacious goal of helping our community and nation bridge the political divide, go volunteer for something. We are so fortunate in our community to have so many volunteer opportunities. There are five Rotary Clubs from Rockland to Belfast. United Midcoast Charities has great insight into the charities in our community that could benefit from your spare time. And social justice programs abound at houses of worship, like those at the First Congregational Church, Adas Yoshuron Synagogue, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Together, we can help build that bridge across the political divide – through volunteering.   

Note: Neither Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, nor any cast member of The Office approved this message.