Volunteerism

"You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give."
--Winston Churchill

Volunteering is usually defined as doing something, without pay and as a matter of personal choice, for the benefit of individuals or society outside one's own immediate family. The following are 5 steps to volunteering:

Red Cross volunteer answering phones.

1. Why Should I Volunteer?

Voluntary work is carried out by people who care about others, their community, and the world around them. There are all kinds of useful jobs which would not be done if it were not for volunteers. Opportunities for voluntary work are many and varied - and give people a chance to take up an activity they find both interesting and rewarding. There are literally hundreds of ways in which you can be a volunteer and a few hours of your time is all that is needed.

It is not recommended that you let it take over your life. Far from it, it is you who should be in control, deciding how much time you are prepared to commit.

Although there is no payment for voluntary work, there are other rewards: the satisfaction of doing a good job, the stimulation of taking on a challenge, or the appreciation of people you have helped. Quite simply, volunteering should be a pleasant and rewarding experience for all concerned. That means choosing something you enjoy doing, that fits in with your lifestyle.

2. What Type of Work can I Do?

Voluntary work offers many possibilities. One of the best things about volunteering is that you have a chance to choose what you want to do, where you want to do it and when. You may know exactly what you are looking for and where to find it. A hobby, interest or commitment to which you would like to give more time. On the other hand, voluntary work could be a way of expanding your horizons. If you are starting from scratch, consider:

• What interests you, and what you can offer.
• Your available time.
• What situations you are comfortable in; e.g. indoors/outdoors, in a group or one-to-one.
• Your health and energy level.
• Access to transportation.

Special Olympics volunteers, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

Here are some examples of areas of work which voluntary organizations are often involved in: the environment, children, homelessness, sports, mental health, animals, culture & heritage, human rights, emergency services.

Here are some examples of tasks and activities often carried out by volunteers: fundraising, tutoring, shop work, driving, befriending, counseling, practical skills, advice, arts & crafts.

These examples are only the tip of the iceberg. If you are interested in taking up volunteering with a specific organization, contact them and find out more about what is involved.

3. What Should I Ask?

Before committing yourself to an organization, ask for an interview so that you can find out what the work involves and whether it will suit you. What should you ask when considering volunteering for an organization?

• About the organization. Find out what the organization is set up to do. Are its aims and values ones which you share? How is the organization managed and how many staff and volunteers are employed?
• About the volunteering activities. What is the exact nature of the work you would be doing, where you would be working, with who you would be working (either on your own or as part of a team) and to whom you would be responsible? Is there a job description? Find out how the volunteers' work fits in with that of paid staff. Volunteering is about enhancing services, not about replacing staff with unpaid workers.
• About the time commitment. Consider how much time you have to spare and for how long. Find out what the organization expects of its volunteers and how this suits your own situation.
• About expenses. While many organizations pay expenses, some do not. Ask right at the start about the organization's position on expenses. Also check how you would go about claiming.
• About health, safety and insurance. As a volunteer you should be protected from dangerous situations and should have the same rights in this respect as paid employees. You should be told whether your volunteering work will be covered by insurance.
• About any special requirements. Some organizations take everyone who applies. Others may only want people with special skills or interests or those who are prepared to take part in some kind of training. If an organization has nothing for you don't take it personally; there are always other opportunities.
• About references, etc. It is now fairly common to ask for references when volunteers work in areas of trust.

Woman receives a bowl of soup from a volunteer.

If you are interested, arrange a face to face meeting or interview so that you can find out more. Remember that successful volunteering is based on the volunteer and the organization each having a clear understanding of each other's expectations. You will be expected to make a commitment, so it is important to know exactly what you will be doing and how the organization will support you.

4. Where Do I Go?  Who Do I Contact?

So you'd like to volunteer, have an idea what you would like to do, but don't know where to go. It may take you a little time and effort to find out what's available. There are a number of ways to go about it. You may be lucky enough to have a Volunteer Bureau/Center/Exchange in your area. They will put you in touch with other local organizations which are looking for volunteers. You can make an appointment to discuss what is available and most suitable for you.

• Councils for Voluntary Service, Social Work Departments. Some Councils for Voluntary Service keep a list of organizations which engage volunteers, and some Social Work Departments have volunteer liaison officers who will be able to advise you. If there is no Volunteer Center in your area, there are other places to try.
• Libraries, Community Centers, Hospitals. Libraries often keep complete lists of local voluntary organizations. Your Community Center is another place to try. They may be looking for volunteers themselves.
• Advertisements, Appeals & Personal contacts. Keep an eye on your local paper for advertisements for volunteers. Or just ask around; friends, family or acquaintances can be an amazing source of information about what's available.
• Yellow Pages. You can try looking through the Yellow Pages or your phone book under Social Services & Welfare organizations, Charitable & Voluntary organizations, Advice & Counseling, or Youth & Community Groups.
• Local Organizations. You can go straight to an organization in your community to inquire if volunteers are needed.
• Click here for a List of Volunteer Centers by U.S. State.

5. Additional Information

Click here for more on Finding Volunteer opportunities.

Citizen Corps "We want to be a Nation that serves goals larger than self. We have been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass."
President George W. Bush - State of the Union, January 29, 2002.

A Nation Of Volunteers: Commentary, statistics and resources about volunteering in the United States and its impact. Authors include Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and recognized volunteerism experts Susan Ellis and Betty Stallings, giving advice on volunteerism opportunities and finding time to volunteer. Also includes links to many other resources and an excellent bibliography.