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Volunteer Tips for Tonite's BG&OD Show!

But before volunteer virgins start skipping down that gumdrop-lined path peppered with awesome agencies eager to embrace their newly restored optimism and altruistic attitudes, there are a few things they should consider. The experience of volunteering can be deeply satisfying; the trials of finding the right situation for you, the red tape, the can-don’t attitudes of jaded case workers and other components can leave one feeling demoralized and shell-shocked from the experience.  I’m writing this checklist to help avoid all that crap so you can quickly get to the what I assume is your main goal of volunteering: making a difference in the lives of others and having fun. Please feel free to add to this list with your tips, experiences, etc.! This is a work in progress. Becky

* Plan to devote at LEAST one month to finding a volunteer situation that is a good fit for you. A lot of people want to get out there and DO SOMETHING. However, volunteering is much like finding a prince--you may kiss a lot of frogs first. Don’t be in a rush to sign up for the first opportunity you see. Do your homework and find something that’s right for you. For instance...

* Think about the causes you’re passionate about (duh). Do you have a soft spot for animals or children? Have you lost a loved one to a disease? Is the environment or poverty your priority? Start narrowing down your list. Remember, you want to find some thing that will be fulfilling AND fun for you because you will be more likely to stick with it.

* Make another list of your special skills. (OK, this is pretty much basic resume stuff, but it’ll help when you start wading through opportunities and need to remain focused.) Are you bilingual? Do you have graphic design skills? Do you have music/art/sports or other interest you’d like to work into your volunteering experience?

* Consider your schedule and figure out what you can offer. Set a time range of how many hours you can dedicating to volunteering each week or month. if you only have one hour a week/four hours a month, fine. If you have more than that, great. The important thing is that you need to be realistic because many organizations require volunteers to work a minimum number of hours per week. And agencyfolk can be very persuasive, so it is best to have a clear idea going in how much time you can devote to your project or before you know it you’ll have unwittingly signed up for a second (unpaid) full-time job. If the time commitment is an unrealistic goal for you, this is not the right gig for you! (Although it wouldn’t hurt to speak to the organization to check if they will accept volunteers who can serve smaller time commitments). Same goes from travel radius: Decide how far you can drive/commute.

* With these things in mind, start researching. I recommend http://www.volunteermatch.org/ (thanks Astorix!). At this site, you can type in your zip and search terms (such as specific types of volunteer work, the charities they benefit, etc.) You can narrow or widen the distance from your home, and there are even some volunteer opportunities listed at the site that can be done via the couch/Internet! It is also a good idea to just type in your zip and browse through the opportunities just to see what’s out there. Again, be patient. It’s OK if you don’t nibble on anything right away.

* Also, ask friends, and friends of friends, to find worthy organizations. Social networking sites are a good tool too, obvs.

* If you are interested in a cause and encounter bad attitudes from staff, don’t let it affect you--it’s their problem. This, in my experience, is the worst part about volunteering. You want to help, and you feel like people slap you in the face for offering. Just like any bureaucracy, these organizations are sometimes staffed by people who can be less than inspirational. When I tried to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in NYC, I encountered representatives with attitudes and energy levels that rivaled department of motor vehicle clerks. When I told them, “I’m ready to hit things with hammers on weekends!” they told me they only needed file clerks M-F. I had a similar experience with a political org in California: When I told staffers I’d be happy to edit and layout their (typo-laden) newsletter, I was told, “You’ll find you’ll be stuffing a lot of envelopes around here.” My only suggestions for those who encounter these people: a) Tell on them to the organization’s leaders, who are likely not aware of the pox they are spreading on potential volunteers, and B) don’t let it bother you and move on to a charity where you can be effective and appreciated for your creativity and skills. 

* Do a background check on any org you are seriously considering. Read news stories. If it’s a charity, look up what percentage of their donations go to administrative costs vs. the actual cause. Ask other volunteers whether their experiences have been good. There will always be companies that post ads for “volunteers” when they are really looking for free labor, so be wary of ads that don’t mention a specific cause or issue.

* If you find an organization/cause you really like, but not the perfect job for you, contact them anyway. In my experience I have found a lot of orgs to be stodgy and anything but progressive. But in some rare cases, I’ve stumble upon a motivated person who has allowed me to tailor my own volunteer program. It never hurts to ask.

* Volunteer with a friend. It can be more fun and it can help motivate you when you feel like playing hooky.

* Hey guys, volunteering is a GREAT way to meet chicks! This, of course, should not be your primary reason for doing so, but it can lead to a nice halo effect :)

OK, almost time for some fucking Archies,
Becky