Volunteering

Volunteering, sometimes referred to as civic engagement, is work or service that is performed without pay. Traditionally perceived as an altruistic activity, volunteering is much more than that. Volunteers benefit from the work they do in many non-financial ways. By addressing issues of concern, you help make your community a better place for everyone now and in the future.

Benefits of volunteering

Think of volunteering as an exchange of energy: today you are the one giving assistance, but tomorrow you may be in need of someone else's resources and abilities. You may already be engaged in volunteer exchanges if you're part of a neighborhood safety patrol or active in boosting electoral participation.

Benefits of Volunteering
Career development	Develop new skills, make career contacts and build your resume.
Purpose	Fulfill deeply held spiritual, family or political beliefs.
Social interaction	Reduce feelings of loneliness and make new friends.
Community building	Strengthen bonds to the community and support local causes.
Understanding	Become more self-aware and compassionate.

Identifying your key strengths and skills for volunteering

The skills and strengths you bring to volunteering may be the same ones you use in the workforce—or they may be related to hobbies and outside interests. For instance, if you are a superb communicator or hold a successful sales position, your skills in public speaking, influencing public opinion and marketing could be effectively applied as a volunteer advocate for a cause you care about.
Some people volunteer in order to develop skills and strengths that do not get utilized in their work life. For instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to clean up a city park or help plant a community garden. Or, if you love playing piano but rarely play, you could volunteer to play at a senior residence or nursing home on a regular basis, or for a church or community choir.
Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any volunteer effort are:

• compassion
• an open mind and open heart
• flexibility - a willingness to do whatever is needed
• a positive attitude.

These attributes will make you a valued addition to any volunteer team!

Volunteering without leaving home

Whether due to a lack of transportation, time constraints, a disability or other reasons, many people prefer to volunteer via phone or computer. If you think home-based volunteering might be right for you, contact organizations you like and ask about volunteering virtually. One excellent resource that maintains a national database of community-based volunteer centers is the Points of Light Foundation.

Volunteering as an exciting option for seniors

Volunteer work allows seniors to use their talents and skills in service to individuals and organizations that rely on unpaid workers. Many national and local organizations have a great need for volunteers and welcome the skills and expertise that seniors possess. Whether you are a retired businessperson ready to mentor an aspiring entrepreneur or an older adult able to help a teenager with homework, you can find a way to give back to the community. Carefully chosen volunteer work can be a tremendous source of joy, fulfillment, and social stimulation.

Types of intergenerational programs available

Intergenerational programs encourage interaction between elders and the young, with rich rewards for both. Seniors can teach children math or reading, or help them with cooking, music, or art. Children, especially those lacking attention from their own parents, can benefit from the attention of seniors who choose to spend time with them.
Seniors reap rewards from intergenerational activities, too. They get to connect with the younger generation and serve as role models. It's a wonderful experience to watch a child have an 'aha!' moment, or light up with joy at being heard, and know that you've played a part in making that moment happen.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities

Volunteer websites, such as VolunteerMatch or  Idealist, can help you find opportunities that appeal to you. You can select by location, skills needed, age group you'd prefer to serve, and the dates you're available, and then choose the topic area, customizing further for area of focus.
Additionally, you can call or visit local organizations that can always use volunteer help:

• community theaters, museums and monuments
• retirement centers and senior housing complexes
• Meals on Wheels
• youth organizations, sports teams, and after-school programs
• historical restorations and national parks
• halfway houses and shelters

To start the process of volunteering

You can start your search for the right volunteer opportunity in a few different ways.

Tips for Starting Your Volunteer Search
Pick causes that interest you	Think about the causes you are passionate about or charitable organizations you support. Contact those organizations to find out about their volunteer needs.
Be willing to learn	Some people volunteer in order to develop their expertise in new areas. Think about what skills you would like to use or develop when you volunteer.
Decide how much time you can give	Think about whether you want a short-term or ongoing volunteer assignment, and when you are available. You don't want to overextend yourself or neglect your other commitments.
Volunteer as a family	Volunteering with your family can emphasize the importance of giving back to the community.

While there is no generic volunteer training, most agencies, organizations or groups will likely want to train you so that you know the ropes. This may entail anywhere from a few hours to several days or weeks of training, depending on the assignment.

References and resources for volunteering

General information

Idealist.org Articles  and Volunteer Center Sites – Half a dozen articles to help you learn more about volunteering and links to volunteering sites around the world. (Idealist.org)

ServiceLeader.org: For Volunteers – Extensive links to articles ranging from the nuts and bolts of volunteering to locating the right volunteer opportunity both in the U.S. and abroad. (ServiceLeader.org)

Volunteer Recruitment – Extensive listing of articles on how to recruit, retain and manage volunteers. This is only one of dozens of categories of information contained on this site. (Nationalserviceresources.org)

Amara Rose and Gina Kemp, M.A., contributed to this article. Last modified on: 1/21/08.