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- Research the causes or issues
important to you.
- Consider the skills you have
to offer.
- Would you like to learn something
new?
- Combine your goals.
- Don't over-commit your schedule.
- Nonprofits may have questions,
too.
- Consider volunteering as a family.
- Virtual volunteering?
- I never thought of that!
- Give voice to your heart through
your giving and volunteering!
1. Research the causes or
issues important to you.
Look for a group that works with issues about
which you feel strongly. You might already be
giving money to one of these organizations, and
that might be a good place to begin your volunteer
experience. If you can't find such an organization,
here's a challenging and intriguing thought:
why not start one yourself? You can rally your
neighbors to clean up that vacant lot on the
corner, patrol the neighborhood, paint an elderly
neighbor's house, take turns keeping an eye on
the ailing person down the street, or form a
group to advocate for a remedy to that dangerous
intersection in your neighborhood. There is no
end to the creative avenues for volunteering,
just as there is no end to the need for volunteers.
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2. Consider the skills you
have to offer.
If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for
teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people,
you may want to look for volunteer work that
would incorporate these aspects of your personality.
Many positions require a volunteer who has previous
familiarity with certain equipment, such as computers,
or who possesses certain skills, such as ability
in athletics or communications. For one of these
positions you might decide to do something comparable
to what you do on the job during your workday,
or something that you already enjoy as a hobby.
This sort of position allows you to jump right
into the work without having to take training
to prepare for the assignment.
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3. Would you like to learn
something new?
Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill
or gain exposure to a new situation. Consider
seeking a volunteer opportunity where you'll
learn something new. For example, volunteering
to work on the newsletter for the local animal
shelter will improve your writing and editing
abilities - skills that may help you in your
career. Or, volunteering can simply offer a change
from your daily routine. For example, if your
full-time job is in an office, you may decide
to take on a more active volunteer assignment,
such as leading tours at an art museum or building
a playground. Many nonprofits seek out people
who are willing to learn. Realize beforehand,
however, that such work might require a time
commitment for training before the actual volunteer
assignment begins.
4. Combine your goals.
Look for volunteer opportunities that will also
help you achieve your other goals for your life.
For example, if you want to lose a few extra
pounds, pick an active volunteer opportunity,
such as cleaning a park or working with kids.
Or, if you've been meaning to take a cooking
class, try volunteering at a food bank that teaches
cooking skills.
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5. Don't over-commit your
schedule.
Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give
fit into your hectic life, so that you don't
frustrate your family, exhaust yourself, shortchange
the organization you're trying to help or neglect
your job. Do you want a long-term assignment
or something temporary? If you are unsure about
your availability, or want to see how the work
suits you before making an extensive commitment,
see whether the organization will start you out
on a limited number of hours until you get the
feel of things. Better to start out slowly than
to commit yourself to a schedule you can't or
don't want to fulfill.
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6. Nonprofits may have questions,
too.
While most nonprofits are eager to find volunteer
help, they have to be careful when accepting
the services you offer. If you contact an organization
with an offer to volunteer your time, you may
be asked to come in for an interview, fill out
a volunteer application, or describe your qualifications
and your background just as you would at an interview
for a paying job. It is in the organization's
interest and more beneficial to the people it
serves to make certain you have the skills needed,
that you are truly committed to doing the work,
and that your interests match those of the nonprofit.
Furthermore, in volunteer work involving children
or other at-risk populations, there are legal
ramifications for the organization to consider.
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7. Consider volunteering
as a family.
Think about looking for a volunteer opportunity
suitable for parents and children to do together,
or for a husband and wife to take on as a team.
When a family volunteers to work together at
a nonprofit organization, the experience can
bring them closer together, teach young children
the value of giving their time and effort, introduce
everyone in the family to skills and experiences
never before encountered, and give the entire
family a shared experience as a wonderful family
memory.
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8. Virtual volunteering?
Yes, there is such a thing! If you have computer
access and the necessary skills, some organizations
now offer the opportunity to do volunteer work
over the computer. This might take the form of
giving free legal advice, typing a college term
paper for a person with a disability, or simply
keeping in contact with a shut-in who has e-mail.
This sort of volunteering might be well suited
to you if you have limited time, no transportation,
or a physical disability that precludes you from
getting about freely. Virtual volunteering can
also be a way for you to give time if you simply
enjoy computers and want to employ your computer
skills in your volunteer work.
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9. I never thought of that!
Many community groups are looking for volunteers,
and some may not have occurred to you. Most of
us know that hospitals, libraries, and churches
use volunteers for a great deal of their work,
but here are some volunteer opportunities that
may not have crossed your mind:
- Day care centers, Neighborhood Watch, Public
Schools and Colleges
- Halfway houses, Community Theaters, Drug
Rehabilitation Centers, Fraternal Organizations
and Civic Clubs
- Retirement Centers and Homes for the Elderly,
Meals on Wheels, Church or Community-Sponsored
Soup Kitchens or Food Pantries
- Museums, Art Galleries, and Monuments
- Community Choirs, Bands and Orchestras
- Prisons, Neighborhood Parks, Youth Organizations,
Sports Teams, and after-school programs, Shelters
for Battered Women and Children
- Historical Restorations, Battlefields and
National Parks
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10. Give voice to your heart
through your giving and volunteering!
Bring your heart and your sense of humor to
your volunteer service, along with your enthusiastic
spirit, which in itself is a priceless gift.
What you'll get back will be immeasurable!
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