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Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 11, 2019

circumstances, it was the volunteer and the task that was viewed central, not the
community. Contrary to that understanding, the common stance of modern

volunteerism is that it points towards community engagement with implications of

reciprocity, connection, opportunities for establishment and expansion of networks,
building of trust and participation (Principi, et al. 2014; Dekker and Halman, 2012;

Omoto, et.al 2012; Etziony, 1993 and 1995; Huges et. al. 2006). Even in a very
specific situation with very specific tasks where volunteering can take place, for

example, a situation of crisis intervention in an incident of natural disaster, modern

volunteering can lead to the community to strengthen connections and bonds
(Omoto, et.al 2012). When the volunteers turn up for relief and recovery tasks in

response to crisis, they not only help victims and repair physical damage, but also
strengthen the psychological intact of the community. Specifically, when volunteers

turn out to show their empathic concerns, they provide visible evidence of the worth
of stronger bonds of connections. They help people realize the value of withdrawal

from their investments in social capital in a situation of crisis. This positive impact

seems especially likely when volunteers work to empower community members
rather than simply providing for their needs (Omoto, et.al, 2012; Omoto and Snyder,

2009).

Connection-centered volunteering

The new approach to volunteering that would promote circumstances of engagement

in the community action becomes the culture of the connection-centered community
volunteering and another form of effective community engagement and social

capital accumulation (WCC, 2007; Oppenheimer and Warburton, 2014;
Oppenheimer, 2008; Hardill and Baines, 2020; Chanan and Miller, 2013; Rochester

et.al, 2012; Gamlath, 2017 and 2018). It can also be a powerful strategy to bring
healthy community back into usual strength in circumstances where community

connections and strength seem to be gradually depleting in modern societies

(Etziony, 1993 and 1995; Huges et al. 2006; Korten and Klauss, 1984; Korten,

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