go Volunteer

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Youth Volunteer

Looking to volunteer ?

If you would like to check out the volunteer opportunities

here at The Support Network, click here.

If you are considering other volunteer opportunities, consider this:

• Have some extra time on your hands?
• Looking for opportunities to volunteer but not sure where you'd like to start?
• Need to make those important connections and build new skills for a career change?

 

We can help you get on your way! First, though, you may have to do a little homework. Looking for volunteer work is very much like looking for a paying job -- only better! Expect volunteering to be a fun way to spend your valuable time, with the added benefit of helping others. The more you know about what you want to do, the more valuable you will be to the organization you join as a volunteer.

 

The self assessment questions below will help you narrow down your search. Think about what causes you like to support, what skills you would like to use, what people you would like to serve, what you would like to learn, people you'd like to work with, location you would be volunteering, and how much time you'd like to offer. The closer you get to matching your needs, the more satisfying and meaningful your volunteer experience will be.

 

Finding the Right Opportunity for You

There are many volunteer jobs available, so invest your time in finding the volunteer position that's just right for YOU! Start by thinking about the following questions:

 

What causes or issues matter the most to me?

1. Do you know which organizations address these issues, and are these organizations accessible in your community? Is getting to the place you will be volunteering an issue? Do you have your own transportation? Will you be traveling by bus? Walking? Physical location is just one important factor in finding your volunteer work.
2. Do you think these organizations are doing a good job and deserve your support? Have you ever given them a financial donation, and do you feel good about how your donation was used?
3. Or are you concerned about a cause that no one else seems to be tackling? Are you willing to be the founder of a new effort?

Answering these three questions (above) will help you focus on the type of organization you want to offer your volunteer time to.

Do I want to volunteer for something that uses the skills I apply in my paying work, or do I want to do something completely different?

What types of things are you good at (and like to do)? These can be professional skills or even hobbies and recreational talents. Almost every type of skill is needed somewhere. The better you are at explaining exactly what you can offer, the easier it will be to find the right type of volunteer work for you.

 

Keep in mind that some volunteer positions will require prior knowledge of a task (such as working with a computer), but don't be discouraged because some organizations offer training in these tasks. For almost ALL volunteer jobs, your great people skills are invaluable -- the ability to be a good listener, to offer a non-judgmental, supportive ear, to be cheerful and offer positive ideas, to be a strong team-builder -- so don't discredit all the things you've learned about yourself, people, and the world around you!

 

What would I most like to learn by volunteering?

As a volunteer, you have the freedom to experiment with new activities. Is there something you wish you had the opportunity to learn? Some organizations will gladly assign you to something as a beginner because they know that tackling something new will motivate you. This is one way that volunteering develops your skills and is fun. By testing yourself in different ways, you'll end up with a fresh perspective back in the everyday world.

 

What don't I want to do as a volunteer?

It's OK to identify certain things you want to avoid as a volunteer. The happier you are about what you will be doing, the better you will be as a volunteer. So don't feel that you have to say "yes" to any assignment offered. Feel free to negotiate.

 

Do I want an ongoing, regularly scheduled assignment, or a short-term assignment, or a one-time assignment?

Some volunteer assignments do require a lot of time. But others can be accomplished in a short period of time, even one day. More and more organizations are designing volunteer work that can be done in the evenings and on weekends, and in short bursts of intensive time. Be honest with yourself and with the agency you contact about your availability and start from there. The organization will need to know that they can count on you to maintain your scheduled commitment. It may be better to start with a limited number of hours of volunteer work and later expand your schedule, rather than promising many more hours than you later will be able to give.

 

• Do I want to work alone or with a group? Or with a friend or my family?

• Am I willing to participate in a training course or do I want to start my volunteer work immediately?

• What kinds of people do I want to work with--both in terms of who is receiving services and who my co-workers might be?

• What should I expect when I contact an agency to apply to become a volunteer?

Most agencies will ask you questions about your background, qualifications and interests. Depending on the type of agency and on the volunteer assignment, you may be asked to make an appointment for a face-to-face interview. Expect to complete a written volunteer application form.

 

If the assignment involves working with children or other vulnerable people, it may be a legal requirement that the agency ask for references and do a Child Welfare or other criminal background check. Don't be insulted! It's the law. Besides, aren't you glad that vulnterable individuals are being protected?

 

Based on the assignment under consideration, it is also possible that you may be asked to sign a confidentiality statement, take a tuberculosis test, show proof of automobile insurance, or agree to attend a training workshop. If you are under age 18, you will probably need to have a parent or guardian sign a consent form.

 

Feel free to ask questions about any of the procedures requested by the agency.

 

How do I find information about volunteer opportunities?

Dial 211 if you're calling from within the City of Edmonton, or 482-INFO from outside the city. Our Information and Referral Specialists are available 24 hours and can give you information about organizations, matching the cause or issue that matters to you or the population you want to serve. The more specific your search, the easier it will be to match your request.

 

You can try our new tool for finding volunteer opportunities: go Volunteer. At this website you can search by type of work you would like to do, the type of organization you would like to volunteer for, or city. New volunteer positions are being posted all the time.

 

You can go to www.211edmonton.info and do a search for the keyword "volunteer".

Is there an organization you feel drawn to? Search out their website and see if they have information about volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

Many organizations have volunteer program coordinators or managers. Call them and ask them if they have a position that matches your skills. Taking the initiative will pay off.

 

Or check out umbrella volunteer organization websites such as: 

 

If you cannot find an organization that does the work you most want to do as a volunteer, maybe you should consider becoming the founder of a new group or agency. It always starts with one person with a vision. Maybe that person is you!

 

Adapted from "Finding the Right Opportunity for You",Susan J. Ellis of Energize, Inc. and The Virtual Volunteering Project

 

If you would like to check out the volunteer opportunities here at The Support Network, click here.

 

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