Some of my friends and I were sitting around discussing how mundane their lives now seemed, since their kids are grown and moving on. They wanted to find more meaning in their lives. I talked to them about doing worthwhile things to help others, animals or the earth. I suggested that they may want to try volunteering. It really helps to boost one’s self esteem. Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience. Not only are you helping others, but it also helps you to feel good about yourself. When you feel good about yourself, you see it come back to you in other positive aspects. It also helps to make one feel more vital and gives one a sense of accomplishment.
I’ve had quite a few volunteer experiences, and have really enjoyed most of them. For example, one of my volunteer jobs was calling on the phone to remind people to vote. Another was for the American Civil Liberties Union, calling people to donate money for a specific cause. I also made calls for the local Art Museum. I volunteered for human justice, stuffing envelopes. I helped at a crisis center phone bank and helped wrap presents for kids at a women’s shelter and also sort donations of goods and clothing. Just remember, that many of the volunteer jobs may seem like little things, but they make a big difference to the organization. Without volunteers, some organizations wouldn’t be able to do what they do best.
Sometimes volunteers are even offered paying jobs where they volunteer. Do you think you may want to become a volunteer? I will give you some guidelines from an article I wrote several years ago. After you have picked the agency or group that you are interested in, you may need to bring some things with you. Here’s what to expect when you decide to volunteer.
Start your inquiry
· Call the agency or group you are interested in to ask if they are accepting applications for volunteers.
· A Coordinator or Volunteer Leader will either; send an application for you to fill out or make an appointment with you to come in for an interview.
· After your interview, ask if you may tour the facilities (if applicable) to get a feel for the culture of the agency.
· The Coordinator will meet with you and ask questions about your interest in the volunteer work they offer. He/she will ask about your hobbies and interests and any work experience you have to see what you may be best at.
· The Coordinator will review your application and makes suggestions. Bring a resume detailing some of your work skills that would be helpful to find a good fit for you.
· Some agencies may want personal or business referrals; ask if they do not mention it on the phone, so you can bring a list with you.
· They will inform you of their time needs and will help you determine how much time you many want to commit.
After you are accepted as a volunteer, you will usually have to attend one or more training sessions. (If you are not accepted, ask about being placed on a list for future opportunities as they come up, it shows your determination and commitment.)
· Be prepared; bring a pad of paper and a pen or pencil to take notes and a folder to keep any handouts you are given.
· Ask plenty of questions and write things down, so you can refresh your memory later. Taking notes will help you to be less confused when you are actually volunteering. You can always refer to your notes to help you recall information. Some programs offer a lot of information in training and there may not be someone around later who can answer your questions.
The training will help you learn more about what you will be doing and if you want to continue.
· After training is over you are ready to start volunteering.
· You may have regular meetings with the Coordinator or a leader to see how you are doing.
If it is not a good match for you, don’t give up. You can always contact another program that may be a better match. Volunteering really is not all that hard; most of your work will be in finding the right situation for you. Remember to be on your best behavior, be cheerful and friendly, because sometimes it can lead to a job opportunity. The experience also helps to polish your job and people skills. Let me know what type of volunteer work you end up doing!
