|
|
| Finding The Right Opportunity |
There are many volunteer assignments available
and you should take your time to find the one that best matches you. Start by
thinking about the following questions:
What
causes or issues matter the most to me ?
Do you know what organizations address these issues in your
community ?
Do you think they are doing
a good job and deserve your support ?
Have you, in fact, already given them a financial donation ?
Or are you concerned about a cause that no one else
seems to be tackling ?
Are you willing
to be the founder of a new effort ?
All of these questions will
help you to focus on the type of organization you want to approach with your
offer to volunteer.
Do I
want to volunteer for something that uses the skills I apply in my paying work
or do I want to do something completely different ?
What types of things are you good at (and like to
do) ?
These can be
professional skills or even hobbies and recreational talents. Almost every type
of skill is needed somewhere.
Keep in mind that some volunteer positions will require prior
knowledge of a task (such as working with a computer), but that there are a lot
of volunteer assignments needing great people skills too,
--the ability to be a good listener,
non-judgemental, cheery, supportive.
Most agencies will ask you questions
about your background, qualifications and interests. Depending on the type of
agency and on the volunteer assignment, you may be asked to make an appointment
for a face-to-face interview. Expect to complete a written volunteer
application form.
Feel free to
ask questions about any of the procedures requested by the agency.
How do I find information about
volunteer opportunities ?
There are many ways to identify organizations looking for volunteers.
See if your community has a "volunteer center," "voluntary action center," or
"volunteer bureau" (try the phone directory) which is a clearinghouse for
information about volunteer opportunities.
You can also call any agency and ask if they are
looking for volunteers.
Expect
volunteering to be a fun way to spend your valuable time, with the added
benefit of helping others. The more you know about what you want to do, the
more valuable you will be to the organization you join as a
volunteer.
|
|
|
