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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.
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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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