How
much time do you have to contribute?
For
most people, time is biggest barrier to active volunteering. As you look at
opportunities, consider how your volunteer activity
will fit into your normal routine. Start by reviewing your schedule and current
time commitments. Will you be able to make a
regular, ongoing commitment to an organization, or is your schedule better
suited to the occasional special project? We
recommend that you start slow and underestimate your availability a bit. You
can always increase your level of participation as you
become more involved and most organizations will do their best to accommodate
your needs.
Who
do you want to help?
Connecting
with a cause that you believe in, will make your volunteer experience more
meaningful. What agency, cause or
population do you want to work with? Maybe you enjoy being around senior
citizens or working with children. Is there a particular
cause that interests you . . . the environment, animals, housing, or community
development? Do you want to learn more about
social issues affecting your community? Don’t be afraid to try something new.
By shopping around you’ll be more likely to find an
opportunity that truly matches your interests and needs.
What
can you contribute?
What type
of job would you like to do? Are
you handy with a hammer, savvy when speaking in public, or capable on a
computer? Your
interests and talents can benefit a nonprofit organization and its clients. You
may want to do something completely different
from your daily work routine … that’s okay too. Make your experience fun and
interesting!
What
can you expect from the organization?
Once
you have selected an organization, many things may happen before you actually
initiate your volunteer activity. You may be
asked to complete an application with references and other paperwork by the
organization’s volunteer coordinator or another staff
person. An interview may be scheduled to discuss the volunteer assignments
available within the organization to determine which
ones may spark your interest. Depending upon the type of volunteer assignment
and the population with which you may interact, a
criminal background check may be required. Volunteer positions involving
vulnerable populations (such as the elderly or young
children) in isolated situations (such as home visits or mentoring) usually
require this type of documentation.
Upon
completing the application and screening process, the organization should
provide you with an orientation and training
related to your volunteer assignment. Training programs vary depending upon the
complexity of your assignment. It
is important that you
feel comfortable and qualified to perform the duties assigned to you, so never
hesitate to ask for additional guidance or
training if you feel it is needed.
Most
organizations will retain a record of your volunteer experience. Your file may
include your original application, documentation
of reference and background checks as necessary, time records illustrating your
volunteer hours, and evaluations of your
performance. You should be permitted to review your file upon request. It is
also a good idea to create your own documentation of
your volunteer experience. Keep a log of the hours you volunteer and the type
of activities you perform. Document the training you
receive and the skills you gain – they may transfer to your current work or
help you improve your resume. Ask for letters of
reference or recommendation from the organization that could assist you in an
employment search or entrance into a higher
education institution. Many colleges and universities have initiated
preferential admittance policies and/or financial aid benefits for
individuals who have performed volunteer service.
After
answering these questions,
you’ll have a good idea of the kind of job you want. So go ahead, become a
volunteer. You'll
be glad you did and so will those you help!
Start your search!