Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community and make a difference. Volunteer experience can also look good on your resume and help you stand out among other applicants. It’s important to find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and interests. In this article, we discuss why volunteering is important, offer different ways you can volunteer in your area and provide the steps you can take to begin volunteering today.
Why is volunteering important?
Volunteering is important because it provides assistance to non-profit organizations and other causes aimed at bettering the community. Several charities and other organizations rely on volunteers to achieve their goals and remain productive. Without volunteers, these non-profits are not able to function at their highest level.
Volunteering also:
Saves money that non-profits would need to spend on paid employees
Helps meet local needs required for the community to function at its best
Supports families and other individuals in the community who cannot support themselves
Improves educational systems
Offers personal benefits to the volunteers themselves, including improved wellbeing and decreased stress
Helps volunteers build valuable experience and skills
Different ways to volunteer in your community
There are several ways you can get involved as a volunteer in your community. Common places that have volunteer opportunities include:
Homeless shelters. Homeless shelters often have several volunteer opportunities available, including preparing and serving food to the homeless in your area.
Animal shelters. Most animal shelters require the work of volunteers to continue to run. Opportunities at animal shelters may include dog walking and administrative help.
Home construction organizations. Some non-profits build homes or perform repairs on existing homes for little to no cost. Volunteer opportunities could include construction or cleaning jobs.
Retirement homes. People in retirement homes often rely on volunteers as a source of entertainment and learning. You could teach an art class or read a book once a week in your local retirement home as a way of giving back to the community.
Libraries. Many local libraries seek volunteers to contribute to the overall operations. Opportunities to consider include organizing bookshelves, participating in weekly reading events and assisting library visitors.
How to volunteer
Here are the steps you can take to volunteer in your community:
Decide which causes you care about.
Identify the skills and knowledge you can offer.
Create a volunteer resume.
Determine how often you can volunteer.
Research volunteer opportunities in your community.
Consider using a volunteer site.
Get all the relevant details for the volunteer position.
Apply for the volunteer position.
Follow up after you apply.
Complete any required training.
Begin with a limited commitment.
Be professional.
Regularly assess your volunteer experiences.