Volunteering.

Volunteering: A Way to Give Back to Your Community

In time, talent, or dollars, volunteers make a valuable contribution to improving their communities, aiding local governments, and serving nonprofits of all shapes and sizes.

Volunteering is indeed a good manners specialty—it is showing concern and respect for others, especially those who are at risk. Your talent and time can be very rewarding: from helping a struggling student, to visiting meals to elderly, to being a companion to someone who has no family.

People volunteer for many reasons: to give service to others, to share knowledge, gain new skills, meet people, or merely find a potential career. Volunteering can also show you how to be a leader, organize events, or how to use new technology and equipment. You might even be able to enhance your résumé or support a college application. Whatever your reasons for volunteering, choose an experience that suits your interests and schedule—and treat the work with the same level of commitment you would a salaried job. If you're in it, be sure to see it through.

Finding the Right Volunteer Role

There aren't shortfalls of volunteer work to be had, but it requires some thought to determine the best one for you. Organizations prefer volunteers to be content and satisfied with their role, given that there's no pay. Here's how you can secure a good fit:

Know what matters to you. Start by thinking about causes you are concerned about—animals, environment, education, health, etc. Look for organizations that work towards those causes.

Consider your personality and abilities. Think about what you are good at and which kind of environment you perform well in. For example, if you prefer to work with individuals, you might enjoy mentoring. If you enjoy your job, you can volunteer by using the same abilities—like helping seniors with taxes if you are an accountant.

Be honest regarding your time. Promising a little time consistently is more valuable than a lot and never coming through. An hour or two a month is fine if that's all you have.

Getting Started

After finding several options, then drop by the groups in person or online. Make sure you agree with their mission and values and are genuinely interested in their work—gardening, fund-raising, reading aloud, or preparing meals.

If you think it's a good fit, interview or apply with a volunteer coordinator. Dress for a job interview: professionally, in advance, and with a clear articulation of your goals.

Getting the Job Done Right

No matter what sort of assistance you're providing, whether you're working at a food bank, employed at a school, or volunteering for a museum or a nonprofit, some basic principles apply:

Be on time, or even a little early.

Let someone know if you are absent or late.

Dress as your work requires—whether physical labor, working with people in public, or working with children.

Attend training or orientations.

Follow the organization's policies and procedures.

Be accountable and have your work completed on time.

Maintain people's privacy. Never give out personal details about the individuals you help.

Working with a Supervisor

You’ll usually report to a paid staff member—like a teacher, coordinator, or manager. It's important to build a good relationship with them. Be respectful of their time, come prepared with questions, and keep communication clear and professional.

If you do have ideas for improvement, make them tactfully and with constructive suggestions. New volunteers tend to be idealistic and keen to make sweeping changes—but do bear in mind the organisation's constraints and try to give a hand, not a mouthful. 

Internships

Internships—paid or unpaid—are great work experience while at uni or college. Treat your internship as a real job:

Dress up for interviews and show appreciation with a thank-you note.

Once hired, be a rule-follower in the workplace, on time, and attired in company dress.

Your tasks may be easy at first, but show initiative if you want to learn more. For example, ask to sit in on a meeting if it is concerning an area of your interest.

When your internship is finished, thank your boss and stay in touch if you'd like to have them act as a reference.

Serving on a Volunteer Board

Schools, hospitals, and charities are typically governed by boards made up of employees and volunteers. You don't typically apply to be a board member—you're invited. But if it's something you'd like to do, let someone who is involved know and they can put your name forward.

Boards look for people who've shown commitment, have relevant knowledge (e.g., law, finance, or development), or can provide financially to the organization. Boards of certain size expect large gifts, and others will only take your talent.

As a board member, you're in a leadership role. Don't forget:

Treat board meetings as high priority and never skip them.

Be punctual and professionally dressed.

Be respectful and come prepared.

Take on tasks responsibly and follow-up.

Be aware of the organization’s needs and look for ways to help.

Support public events or fundraisers—and represent the organization positively at all times.