Who Wants to Volunteer?

By Teresa Ambord

What makes a person volunteer? Many people need to feel needed.  Some do it to learn a new skill or to meet people.  Some do it to gain experience for their upcoming careers.  And some volunteer as a way to deal with personal problems.   You've heard people say that they need to get their focus off of themselves.   There's no better way to do that than to give your attention to someone more needy than yourself.    In fact, many new charities spring from personal tragedy.

The Polly Klaas Foundation was created when Mark Klaas's daughter Polly was abducted and killed. This foundation has taken up the cause of missing children across the country, by educating the public, supporting law enforcement and families of missing children, and promoting public policies that make protect children.  Make-A-Wish began when a seven-year old leukemia victim, Chris Greicius  "made a wish" to be a policeman for a day. From his wish, came an organization dedicated to making the dreams of chronically ill children come true.  A recent count showed Make-a-Wish had 103 chapters on five continents.  You can read more about Make-a-Wish in the article on this website entitled, "Make-a-Wish!"

If you are thinking of volunteering, you're in good company.    About 109 million Americans (that's 56 percent of adults) volunteer every year.  And another 13.3 million teenagers also volunteer.  Both adults and teenagers log in an average of 3.5 hours per week.   That's pretty impressive.

Here are a few ways you can help ensure that you are a successful volunteer:

  • Be on time, just as you would for a paid position. The charity is counting on you.
  • Don't take the commitment lightly.   Some non-profits that are understaffed are heavily dependent on volunteer help.  If you blow off your assigned time without a good reason, you'll be more trouble in the long run than you're worth.  If you do have to cancel, call as far ahead as you can.
  • Treat the regular staff as well as the clients with respect.  You'd be surprised how often volunteers treat the staff or, in some cases, the clients with condescension.   That only leads to the volunteer being unwelcome.
  • Follow the rules of the agency, even if you find them odd.   The rules are there for everyone's protection, and may be necessary for insurance reasons.
  • Keep a positive attitude.  The work may be harder than you thought.  It wouldn't be called work otherwise. Don't forget your sense of humor.   You should be respectful if people are sick and they need quiet.  But that doesn't mean you have to be somber. Take your cues from some of the staff that seems to have rapport with the clients.
  • If there is an orientation or training period, pay attention, even if you are experienced at the task. That way you'll know what is expected at this particular organization.
  • Ask questions if something isn't clear.
  • If you have a problem, speak to your supervisor.  That is the supervisor's job and he or she is there to help.

You can read the stories of some who have volunteered:

If you have questions about volunteering, click here:

And if you want to find an opportunity in your area, click here and enter your zip code:

If you're not familiar with an organization or you have reason to suspect there is a problem, check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if the charity is on the up and up:





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