Despite the many benefits of volunteering, there will always be more we can do. It’s important to remember that while we may be giving back, it’s also not always possible to see the difference we’re making. You have to take a step back to see that.
The most challenging part of volunteering is finding the right place and opportunity that will allow you to make a difference. There are ways to go about this, including following your interests and passions. Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.
Understand Your Value
Nonprofits usually seek individuals who can help them in various areas, such as fundraising, marketing, and PR. People can use a wide variety of skills in these areas, such as accounting, web design, and mentoring.
Look at your skillsets – now consider how they may help different nonprofit organizations. If there is any overlap between the two, consider following this opportunity.
Ask Yourself How Much
While we might want to be able to volunteer all our spare time to an organization, that isn’t always possible. Therefore, it’s good to know how much time you can commit to a volunteer position ahead of time. This will benefit everyone involved, including the organization.
Follow Your Passion
Before you start volunteering, you must clearly understand what you want to do and how you can make a difference. At the very least, knowing what you are passionate about can be helpful. For instance, volunteering at a community garden might be a great fit if you love cooking and growing vegetables.
Browse Volunteer Listings
Did you know there are volunteer listing boards, much like job listing boards? These boards, such as Serve.gov and VolunteerMatch.org, can help connect skilled volunteers with organizations that need certain tasks completed. It’s the perfect way to find a volunteer position that matches your skillset and passion.
Some of these positions will be short-term, while others will be longer-term. So be certain you know how long you want a commitment to last before reaching out to the organization.