If you ever talk to a long-time volunteer, you’ll notice a twinkle in his eye and hear excitement in his voice. And don’t be surprised if he’s eager to tell you stories about all the people he’s helped.
Volunteers give back not just because it feels good, but because they want to make a positive change in someone else’s life. Whether it’s helping troubled teens, disabled veterans or people just like them, volunteers find true joy and purpose in their work.
Rebecca Snow, regional volunteer director of the American Red Cross in Central New York, says volunteers play a critical role for many nonprofit organizations. In many cases, they’re vital to the very existence of the organization.
“Most nonprofits cannot do what they do without volunteers,” Snow says.
The sense of needing to serve the community has seen a resurgence lately, and the number of volunteers has steadily increased over the last five years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 64.5 million American men and women volunteered at least once in 2012. That’s about a 4% increase since 2008, a year that saw about 61.8 million volunteers.
VolunteerMatch.org, one of the oldest online volunteer networks, is among the many organizations leading the charge in the volunteerism movement. This recruitment service site has registered more than 95,000 nonprofits on its connector platform, putting together those who want to help with those who need it. Another popular resource, Idealist.org, connects volunteers to more than 13,000 opportunities across the country.
The possibilities are nearly endless—and that’s part of what makes it so tough for good-hearted people to choose one. Many would-be volunteers get intimidated and overwhelmed, wondering how they’ll find a place that suits their lifestyle, schedule and personality. But there’s a spot for everyone. So if you’re ready to volunteer, turn the page to find out how you can channel your willing spirit into real action.
LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF
What’s your motive?
Thinking about yourself first may seem like a counter-intuitive starting point. But Snow says to have a successful volunteer experience, you need to analyze what exactly you want to do, and what you hope to get out of it. A thoughtful self-analysis is the foundation of successful volunteerism, she says.
“First, take a look at your motivation and interests. Do you want to give back? Get out of the house? Build a resume? Think about what you hope to get out of volunteering,” Snow says.
Once you pinpoint your motive, create a realistic goal around it. If personal values are your motive, maybe your goal is to meet people with similar values. If personal development drives you, determine a particular skill you want to sharpen for your resume. That will help you hone the personal goal you want to accomplish while you’re volunteering. Research shows volunteers who have their reasons and objectives mapped out beforehand have a more positive experience, and stay more committed, as reported in Monitor on Psychology, a journal of the American Psychology Association.
“People who have more seemingly ‘selfish’ motivations—esteem enhancement, personal development and understanding—are more likely to stick with a volunteer organization longer than people with more ‘other focused’ motivations, such as values,” the article says.
Five major motivations
Values. Volunteering to satisfy personal values or humanitarian concerns. For some people, this has a religious component.
Community concern. Volunteering to help a particular community, such as a neighborhood or ethnic group, to which you feel attached.
Esteem enhancement. Volunteering to feel better about yourself or relieve other pressures.
Understanding. Volunteering to expand your worldview gain a better understanding of other people, cultures or places.
Personal development. Volunteering to challenge yourself, meet new people and make new friends, or further your career.
Source: American Psychological Association
What skills can you offer?
Once you have a good handle on your interests, Snow says to analyze the services you can provide. Create a list of all the skills that relate to the organization you want to volunteer for, to determine if it’s a good match.
She says to consider how much you’ll help the organization, and how much they’ll benefit you in return.
“Volunteering is a two-way process,” Snow says. “It’s important for both the volunteer and the organization to benefit.”
Volunteers often are humble people by nature, but this is no time for humility. Really recognize your personal strengths, she says, because it’s a crucial component of finding a position that fits.
If you’re a math whiz, look for an organization that helps people with their taxes or financial planning. If you love being around people, spread your social wings as a camp counselor. If you love to teach, find a tutor program and mentors kids after school.
How much time do you have?
You may have all the right reasons, but they won’t mean anything unless you can dedicate the necessary time. Snow says to take a look at your typical schedule before you make any firm commitments.
If you work a 9-to-5 job, try coaching or refereeing at an evening youth basketball or soccer game. If you’re too tired after you leave the office, look for something on the weekends, such as organzing books at your local library. Whatever you decide, make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew, because you don’t want to burn out from over-commitment.
“So many people feel guilty if they can’t be there every week or every day,” says Sally Michelson, a long-time volunteer from Paducah, Ky. “But that’s OK!”
There is an organization out there that will gratefully accept whatever time you’re willing to give. But it’s up to you to decide how many hours you can offer.
And if you can only give a few hours per year, be honest about it and give them graciously. Some nonprofits want short-term volunteers for seasonal or program-specific needs, while others look for long-term commitments. Others need a mixture, so don’t count anything out.
“At the Red Cross, we prefer long-term volunteers because of the training involved,” Snow says. “But we also have once- and twice-per-year opportunities.”
Remember, it’s better to fully commit even for one hour per week than to half-heartedly give back when you’re too busy. Your experience won’t be nearly as fulfilling if your head isn’t entirely in the game—you might even get resentful—and you could end up doing more harm than good.
Your investment strategy
How much total time can you spend each week?
Are you willing to volunteer on weekends?
How far are you willing to drive?
You can donate time, but what about money?
FIND THE RIGHT ORGANIZATION
Start in your own backyard
You’ve got your motivations, goals, skill set and schedule prepared. The next step is to dive in and start searching for a specific opportunity. While the Web can help fuel your volunteer search, Michelson, a seasoned volunteer, suggests starting close to home.
She co-founded Community Kitchen, a Paducah, Ky.-area organization that provides meals to about 300 people every day. Michelson says she could have missed the opportunity to initiate change in her community, had she not been a critical observer of it first.
“We could see people walking the streets who needed food,” Michelson says. “Look in your own community—your church, your local United Way office. See where the greatest need is.”
The volunteer match game
If you browse the Web to find a volunteer opportunity, search with a similar local framework. Start with searches by town or ZIP code, to find opportunities near you. Or begin with some broad research about your community.
The Corporation for National and Community Service says research is the most important aspect of having a positive volunteer experience. So, hone in on your top three organizations, and check their websites to see if they post open positions.
Snow says some organizations conduct formal interviews to help match volunteers to the right program or position. It’s important to use the interview to “learn as much about the position as you can,” she says. “I encourage volunteers to ask a lot of questions.”
If an organization doesn’t have a formal interview process, the CNCS recommends requesting an informal one, and treating it like a job interview.
“Be ready to describe your interests, qualifications, and background, and also be prepared to ask your interviewers about their organization and the benefits they offer to their volunteers. An interview will allow you and the organization to find the right match for your skills and interests.”
Your interview questions
Think about these things as you research organizations.
What are its weaknesses?
Does it have low employment?
Where does it get funding?
What results has it achieved?
What is its relationship to the community?
MAKING A GRACEFUL EXIT
Despite everyone’s best intentions, sometimes things just don’t work out. You might find that the commitment requires more time than you’re able to give, or the position doesn’t end up being what you expected. If you feel unhappy or dissatisfied, your biggest mistake is to carry on without saying anything, Snow says.
“It’s better for volunteers to come out and say, ‘I’m not happy with this situation,’” she says. “The only way an organization will know you’re unhappy is if you tell them.”
Feeling disappointed makes it harder for volunteers to connect with their work and achieve positive results. It also means they’ll be unlikely to continue volunteering.
Snow encourages volunteers to communicate with supervisors, and discuss the potential of taking another positions or joining a different project. Don’t forget that it’s their job to assess the situation, and find solutions that benefit everyone.
Most importantly, if it’s just not working out, don’t feel guilty about it.
“People put too much pressure on themselves,” Michelson says. “Volunteering shouldn’t be a burden, but a fulfillment.”
And finding the right spot can be magical, opening up relationships and experiences that can enrich your life.
“As soon as we walk in the door, we strengthen each other,” Michelson says. We start laughing, talking. It doesn’t matter if you’re there to cook the food or to eat it. We’re all a family.”
