GIVING BACK


LENDING A HAND


12 Tips to Start (and Keep) Volunteering


1. Don’t Wait! Get Started Today! Whether you’ve been contemplating


volunteering for years or the idea just popped into your head today, don’t wait any longer to start volunteering and making a difference!


2. Decide What’s Important to You It’s crucial that you enjoy and find


satisfaction in your volunteer work because if you don’t then you will not be motivated to stick with it. You will also be missing out on an opportunity for a great, fulfilling experience. So begin by deciding what causes and issues are important to you.


3. Consider Your Skills and Talents Do you have a special skill that you


would like to contribute? Make a list of the things you are good at or simply enjoy, whether it is tutoring children, spending time working outdoors, speaking to the public, or using your design and/or construction skills. Look for volunteer opportunities that incorporate your skills and enjoyments in order to offer the most to the organization, as well as to get the most out of the experience.


4. Research and Contact Possible Groups Once you’ve decided what you’d like


to do, find and learn about organizations that match your skills and interests. (If you’re already donating money to one of these organizations, that’s a great place to start volunteering.) Look up and contact the organizations nearby to see if they have a need for volunteers. (The closer an organization is to your home, the easier it will be to maintain a consistent volunteering schedule.) You can also visit your local volunteer center (find one at www.thecne.org, www.vaservice.org, www.1- 800-volunteer.org, or www.volunteer.gov) to get started finding the right volunteer position for you.


5. Consider Volunteering With Your Family Volunteer with your husband/wife and/or your children; it is a great way


ALBEMARLE SPECIAL SECTION


to share and bond over significant experiences. If you chose to volunteer with your children, you will be teaching them an important lesson about the value and benefit of donating time to a cause, which will hopefully instill in them the desire to continue volunteering throughout their life.


6. Be Open to Suggestions and Ideas If you remain open-minded and receptive to the needs of your organization, both you and the organization will benefit immensely. You may develop a new skill or discover a hidden talent by taking on unfamiliar tasks, and your volunteering will make a real difference by giving what is truly needed.


7. Know Your Schedule Before you make a commitment,


think about how often you would like to or are able to volunteer. Make sure your volunteering fits into your schedule so that you don’t end up exasperating family members, wearing yourself out, or letting down the organization you’re trying to help. If you are unsure about your availability or want to see how the work suits you before fully committing, ask 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. Whether you volunteer once a year or once a week, don’t forget that you are making a difference!


8. Think Outside The Box Most of us know that hospitals,


libraries, and churches offer various volunteer opportunities. But have you considered volunteering at a lesser-known organization? Here are some opportunities that may not have crossed your mind: • Museums, galleries, and monuments • Retirement centers and homes for the elderly, Meals on Wheels, church- or community-sponsored soup kitchens or food pantries


• Historical restorations, battlefields, and National Parks


• Day care centers, public schools, and colleges


• Local choirs, bands, and orchestras • Neighborhood watch programs, disaster relief organizations, youth organizations, intergenerational programs, and park services


• Halfway houses, community theaters, drug rehabilitation centers, fraternal organizations, and civic clubs


• Shelters for battered women and children, prisons, neighborhood organizations, sports teams, and after- school programs


9. Request a Meeting and Follow Through When you find an organization that interests you, request a meeting and plan for it as you would for a job interview. Be ready to describe your interests, skills, and experiences, and come up with questions to ask about the organization and what volunteering there entails. A meeting will let you determine if a particular organization is the right fit for you.


10. Do Your Homework and Be Prepared Many nonprofits require some sort of training before you can begin volunteering, and they actually look for individuals who are willing to put in the time to learn. Appreciate this chance to learn something new and develop your skills—you never know when they might come in handy.


11. Be Positive and Work Hard When you find the right organization for


you, go in with an upbeat attitude, an open mind and heart, and a strong work ethic. Not only will you be helping an important cause, but you will also come out feeling accomplished and proud of yourself.


12. Give Yourself a Pat on the Back There is no end to the need for


volunteers. So at the end of the day give yourself a pat (or two) on the back for taking the time to help others with your commitment and contribution.


Great Reasons to Volunteer • Help others • Make a difference • Feel involved • Get motivated to try new things • Develop new skills • Enjoy a meaningful conversation • Connect with your community • Contribute to a cause that you are passionate about


• Use your skills in a productive way • Meet new people • Explore new areas of interest • Connect and bond with your family • Impress yourself • Get out of the house • Expand your horizons • Make new friends • Continue to pursue life-long learning • Feel good about yourself


by Elizabeth Larner 79A


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