If you're looking to have a more purposeful life, consider volunteering. Volunteering and sharing your gift allows you to not only contribute to the life of another, it can also help improve your health while building community relationships for you and your credit union.

Life is often an exercise in repetition, and it's easy to get caught up in the minutia of your everyday schedule. Volunteering offers a break from this and a chance to see life from a different vantage point – all while improving your health. Don't just take my word for it; listen to what the experts say.

In 2013, UnitedHealth Group and the Optum Institute released the "Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study." The study indicates that U.S. adults who volunteer report that they feel better, both physically and emotionally, than adults who don't volunteer.

The study also said: "When employers promote volunteering, it not only builds better health and job skills, it earns goodwill. Employees appreciate their employers when volunteering programs are supported in the workplace. Four out of five employed people who have volunteered through their workplace in the past 12 months say that they feel better about their employer because of the employer's involvement in volunteer activities."

People spend so much of their lives refining and crafting their talents so they can be successful in their careers, but it's rare for anyone to make a career trek without help from others. Volunteering provides an opportunity to pay that gift forward, a way to say thanks to the universe for the help you've received along the journey. And hopefully the person you help will do the same.

The benefits for employees and credit unions are endless. So much of a credit union's identity is associated with the relationship it has with the community in which it resides, and a credit union's success is inextricably linked to whether that relationship is positive.

Janikke Klem, vice president of community and government relations at the $2.2 billion, San Jose, Calif.-based Technology Credit Union, recognizes the power and benefits of volunteering.

Shortly after starting at her credit union, Klem formalized an employee volunteer program, which gives employees one day off per year to volunteer with one of the credit union's established community partners. She said the program has built a sense of pride and camaraderie in employees.

"You start to build a lot of relationships from this that aren't just sales relationships. Some really good business does end up coming from them because we develop these wonderful relationships. It's kind of a win-win. We get a lot of work done in the community and our name is also getting out there as well, which is fantastic," Klem said.

For others, it's an avenue to give back from the help they received.

Margaret Hunnicutt, president/CEO of the $150 million Landings Credit Union in Tempe, Ariz., said her non-linear career path taught her the value of empathy.

"I feel that now that I'm able to do so, I use my time to help others who are in the same position I once was. I'm also a huge proponent for a hand-up, not a hand-out."

She puts her words into action every year when she completes around 300 free tax returns as part of a tax preparation program offered by the Tempe Community Council, which she's been involved with for more than a decade. The local program serves people with disabilities and low- to moderate-income tax payers.

"Out of the 1,200 tax returns that we do, and out of the 125 volunteers, I do about 300 of the returns myself and I do this every year," Hunnicutt said. "I believe in paying back my debts to the society. I was helped when I was down, and my time serving those that are less fortunate is very gratifying."

Volunteering gives credit unions insight into the community's financial needs so they can better tailor products and services.

Amy Ivey, vice president of marketing and development at the $857 million Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif., oversees Bay Federal's community development department, which is an essential component of the credit union's culture.

This past year, her committee of volunteers produced more than 35 unique activities that allowed employees and their family members to give back to their community.

Volunteerism is rooted deep in the credit union's culture. Since 2002, 100% of Bay Federal's employees have volunteered in their local community.

"Volunteering in the community demonstrates the organization's commitment to serving its neighbor. It also helps us be better aligned with the needs of the community so we can identify how we can provide better products, services and programs to help our community members achieve their financial goals," she said.

The benefits of volunteering are endless. If the thought of networking events gives you hives or makes you want to down a glass of pinot noir in 30 seconds, (like it does for me), consider volunteering. It allows you to give back while organically meeting people – minus the hives.