Time Commitment
Are you looking for a volunteer position where you serve a few hours each week, one where you serve occasionally as needed, or a full-time opportunity where you dedicate a year to service? When selecting a volunteer opportunity, consider the amount of time you can realistically devote on a regular basis, and for what length of time overall.
Opportunities that are more intense in nature will often ask that you make a one-year commitment, and will vary in the number of hours per week you are asked to serve (1-40 hours per week). Other opportunities may be one-time events, or on a periodic basis over an extended period of time. Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life, so that you don’t exhaust yourself or shortchange the organization you’re trying to help. Do you want a long-term assignment or something temporary? If you are unsure about your availability or want to see how volunteering suits you before making a commitment, see if 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.
Service You Would Like to Provide
Search for an organization that deals with the issues you feel strongly about. Learn about the group and their activities. Do you want to work with children or the elderly? Do you want to focus your efforts on a particular issue area, such as the environment, education, or homelessness? Do you want to serve people directly, complete administrative tasks, or do physical labor? Determining the type of service you’d like to provide will help you narrow your choices and find an opportunity that meets your interests.
Skills and Talents
Do you have a special set of skills that you’d like to utilize during your service experience, or are you interested in developing new skills? Many volunteer opportunities will provide a chance for you to utilize special skills or talents. You may want to look for volunteer work that would incorporate aspects of your personality. Take advantage of your passions. Do you enjoy gardening or mentoring children? Do you love animals, or are you a “people person”? Many positions require a volunteer who possesses certain skills, such as with computers or someone who is athletic or a terrific communicator. You might decide to do something comparable to what you do in your job during your workday or something that you already enjoy as a hobby. This sort of position allows you to jump right into the work without having to take training for the assignment. Would you like to volunteer in an area that will provide you with a new experience? Then seek a volunteer opportunity involving training in an unfamiliar skill. Many groups seek out people who are willing to learn, especially if the needs they serve are specialized or unique. Many groups have a demonstrated need, but few volunteers skilled in what it takes to fill that need.
