|
What is a volunteer?
A volunteer is a person that works without any type of payment or works for their expenses for a non-profit organization or a charity.
Why should you become a volunteer?
Many people wish to become volunteers because they can give back to their community, many times working in causes that are close to their hearts such as the volunteers that went to Louisiana to help Hurricane Katrina victims. A volunteer can travel all over the world, meet locals, learn about their culture, while receiving new life experiences and gaining experience.
While, many others volunteer to enhance their employability by getting a valuable reference for their resume. There are countless people that get great jobs as a result of volunteering first.
What do volunteers actually do?
Well, there is a variety of things volunteers do from delivering food, building homes, distribute medical needs, teach locals English, work with locals to grow food, work to provide ways for individuals to have access to clean water, and of course work along side communities all over the world to build or rebuild a stronger community.
How much time is involved in volunteering?
This is a hard question to answer due to the fact that it involves where you are volunteering and what you are volunteering to do. You can volunteer your time as you see fit such as an hour a week up to two years if you decide to volunteer overseas. Volunteer work can be during the daytime hours, nighttime hours, on weekends, or when you have the time. Another way to volunteer today is by use of your own computer at home in such ways as researching, designing websites, or even writing articles to promote charity events.
In most cases, you do not need any type of schooling or qualifications to volunteer. On the other hand, if you plan on helping building a house, you should not agree to do the electrical part if you do not have the education or are not licensed in the field. Normally, you can receive training for many volunteer positions.
If you do decide to volunteer, you are not under any type of obligation, if you are not happy doing the tasks. You can quit at any time, however, if you are scheduled to be there at a specific time, you should contact the organization in plenty of time so they can find a replacement. Individuals waiting for your help are depending on you or at least on the organization that you are working with.
Volunteering is a very important to those that are in need. If you have the time and are not expecting to be paid except for maybe a pat on the back, a huge smile from a homeless person, or a giant hug from a small child that desperately needed a pair of shoes.
Where to volunteer
There are many places you can volunteer, some right in your backyard. - Libraries – Some libraries have programs where they have afternoon reading time with young children that are not in school yet to help promote reading.
- Churches – working in the church donation center – organizing donations, delivering donations, or taking applications for help
- Soup kitchens – Many cities and towns have various soup kitchen locations for homeless individuals to receive a hot meal.
- Parks and recreational facilities – Keeping the areas clean from debris and in working order for the safety of the children in the community
- American Red Cross – Donate blood
- Schools
- Day care centers
- Habitat for Humanity – Working together to build homes for housing assistance programs
- Hospitals – especially the terminally ill ward – just passing out magazines, or reading is a wonderful way to volunteer
To be able to volunteer you must first contact the organization and see what type of programs they have available for volunteer’s, fill out an application, and then go through an interview.
|
Career 
