You have decided to try volunteering. That is great news! Volunteering could be your first step if you are looking for a job, trying to integrate into a new place or just want to give back to your community. But how to find the right volunteering opportunity for you? And why to find “the right one” is so important?
First of all, as human beings, we have different stories and different resources of time, money and knowledge. Some of us are in a position to share their resources and some of us are not.
Out of three main resources that we have the most precious one is time because it is the only thing that is irreplaceable. You can always earn more money, you can double your knowledge when you are sharing it with others, but time will never have a rebate check.
If you want to utilize your time in the best way possible, you have to choose where to volunteer wisely. I suggest that you ask yourself 5 Journalistic W’s before you start volunteering:
WHO Is Ready To Volunteer?
You can be volunteering by yourself or not. Maybe your family member would like to join you? That is great – there are some programs where you can bring a teenager and even a child! Although, most of the volunteering programs are ready to recruit you or your family members only if you are 18 and older.
Or maybe a friend of yours is suggesting a place to volunteer? That is fantastic too! Just make sure that the volunteering that you are choosing with your “partner in crime” is really what you want to do and you are on board with the cause.
How to tell if this is what you want to do? I would like to use Marie Kondo’s words to describe it: “Ask yourself if it sparks joy”.
Choose the volunteering opportunity that you are very passionate and positive about. Your eyes should spark when you talk about it.
WHAT Causes Can I Support?
Perhaps, this is the most important question overall. What would you like to spend your time on? And how to find it?
For the start, I would recommend VolunteerMatch.org The website would like you to sign in with your social media account or an email – please do that and the rest of it will be less painful.
Then, right on the front page, you can put your ZIP code or the name of your city – and instantly see how many volunteering opportunities are available nearby.
Would you like to work with animals? Or maybe help people with disabilities? Considering to make a difference in Education and Literacy? You should go through the categories of interest and see what they offer.
I would highly recommend picking a couple of places where you want to volunteer. Sometimes things change and everything is not going according to the plan (imagine, you do not like it, or your schedules do not match, or they currently are not accepting volunteers). I do not want you to be disappointed and give up on the idea of volunteering just because of some hiccups along the way. So pick 2-3 places that look awesome to you and do your research!
At the same time, the number of volunteering opportunities will depend on the place you live in. I am currently living in the Greater Seattle area, so here is no shortage of options. At the same time, I understand that the situation could be vastly different in your town. That is why we are going to move to Where next.
WHERE To Find Volunteering Opportunities?
Where to find the right volunteering opportunity? Sometimes the answers come from unexpected places. First, I would recommend to come up with an idea of what you would like to do in general. Second, start looking by checking these boxes:
Online
It is probably the easiest start – to look for something online, read about the place and see if you like it. Although I would encourage you to give a call to an organization that you are interested in – you need to make sure that it is a real place, the address on their website is current, they do accept volunteers, etc. I really want your first volunteering experience to be not “just okay”, but “good” or even “great” one.
I have already mentioned VolunteerMatch.org – it is a website, where nonprofit organizations are posting available volunteering openings. However, it is not an aggregator of all volunteering positions, like Indeed for job opportunities. So, in case you were looking for a specific organization or a company and you do not see it – that means they do not have an account there, and you should check their website.
Other great resources that could be a good start for your search:
https://www.volunteer.gov/ – America’s Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal. Volunteering in National Parks, Forest Service, US Geological Survey, etc.
https://www.pointsoflight.org/get-involved/– Points of Light, another website that can show you what volunteering opportunities are available out there.
https://www.idealist.org/en/ – Idealist.org is more about finding jobs and internships in non-profit organizations. Please check it out if you feel that you are ready to look for a job – and again, an internship, as well as volunteering could be a good step into the job market. This website is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Places In Your Neighborhood
Sometimes online opportunities do not look that fantastic, or it is not too many of them. Then you should take a walk around your new neighborhood.
Going to the library? Take a minute and talk to a Librarian if they need any help. Libraries always need a hand with different areas, so it could be your chance!
Maybe you are passing by the town hall? Ask a person in charge if they have ever considered having volunteers in their office. Perhaps, they did not think about it – but also they might create a volunteering position for you.
Picking up your children at school? Ask the School Office Manager if they need any volunteers for school activities. They most likely do.
So right there, you have at least three ideas where you can be helpful – and it all going to be in your neighborhood! What a wonderful thing to give back to your community!
Recommendations By Friends And Family
If you are looking for volunteering or job opportunities – do not be shy! Tell people!😃
Use every chance to talk to people and mention that you are looking for volunteering. Ask questions: Have they ever volunteered? If so, where and how did they like it? Do they know a good place? Would they recommend one?
Ask your family, friends, and acquaintances to keep their ears open. This is how networking is being done. Of course, I would rather you to do your networking more mindfully, but at this point, you need to spread the word out that you are actively seeking volunteering opportunities. Make connections and have fun with it! 😃
WHEN And How Much To Volunteer?
When can you volunteer? This question you need to ask yourself before you are making your first calls to the organizations that you are interested in. Can you do Monday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.? Great! Or maybe your busy schedule can allow you to volunteer from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday? Amazing! Saturdays only? Fantastic, it seems like you figured out your timetable.
Now you need to see if your schedules match. Usually, non-profit organizations are very flexible and happy to have you there. However, sometimes things are not quite working out. Maybe your organization is not open on Saturdays or maybe they already have Wednesdays and Thursdays covered by another volunteer. That is why I recommend picking 2-3 volunteering opportunities and see which one fits your lifestyle the best.
How much time should you volunteer? Again, it depends on the number of hours you are willing to donate. According to the article at HelpGuide.org, 2-3 hours per week, or about 100 hours a year, will benefit both you and the cause that you have chosen to support.
In any case, you are in the driver’s seat now. You decide how much to volunteer so it is not taking over your life. You choose your volunteering to be fun, not to be a burden or a chore.
WHY Should You Volunteer?
As I wrote in my previous post, volunteering can help you to progress your career.
First of all, volunteering will look great in your resume. If recruiters see that you have been working at the soup kitchen every week for the last 5 years – that will show them that you are reliable and committed to what you do.
Second, while volunteering you are going to meet new people and connect with them. See? You are already networking and building a circle of work friends!
Last, but not least, you can practice your English and communication skills with other volunteers. Practice will make you more confident. Besides that, practice makes perfect.
Your Next Steps
After you are done with this lengthy reading (I am so sorry about that!), try to contact some organizations you are interested in.
Take a tour around the facilities. Do not be afraid of asking questions.
Make sure that you know what is expected of you. If you do not enjoy your volunteering experience – tell your supervisor what you would suggest changing.
Have fun with your new hobby – and help others at the same time! 😊
Good luck to you!
