VOLUNTEER

Volunteering is giving your time to help someone else or a cause you care about, simply because you
want to and without expecting payment. Lots of people engaged in voluntary work might not consider
themselves as volunteers. They may see themselves as 'just helping out' or 'lending a hand'. You can
choose what you want to do, though it always helps to get involved in something you care about or are
interested in.

Reasons to volunteer

Volunteering helps you make new friends, increases your confidence and lets you play a part in your
community. It can also give you a better chance of getting paid work, improving your career prospects or
getting a place at university by helping you to:

learn new skills

practise the skills you have

build your confidence

discover new hobbies and interests

meet people who can help you find paid work

include volunteering experience on your CV

show employers you can keep regular hours and handle commitment

have things to talk about in a job interview

get references

having fun doing something you've never tried before

a sense of satisfaction and achievement

the opportunity to make new friends with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences

Factors to consider before volunteering

Time

Decide how much time you can give as a volunteer. Remember your other responsibilities such as any
work, sport or family commitments.
Your skills

Assess your skills. Research the organisations which could use your skills and give you work experience
for your own CV.

Travel and other expenses

You need to work out on how you will travel to and from the location.

Commitment

Think about the level of commitment you are willing to give.

How to Become a Better Volunteer

1. Educate yourself

First things first: you should have a firm grasp of your volunteer organization’s mission and goals before
you start. In general, if you educate yourself on the nonprofit before you begin volunteering, you will be
able to better serve the community and appear more professional.

2. Attitude is everything

It’s always crucial to arrive at the volunteer site with a smile on your face. The more positive your
attitude, the more you’ll get out of the experience. Think about the positive effect you’re creating in
your community and the people who need your help. Let that be the fuel to get you through the day,
and be sure to motivate other volunteers to keep that same mindset, too!

3. Accept differences

No matter where you volunteer, one thing’s for sure: you’ll be working with a diverse group of people.
Exposing yourself to a variety of social classes, races and ages can yield great long-term rewards and
allow you to see the world through a different lens. Be tolerant, accepting and understanding.
Volunteering is powerful because it can shatter barriers between people who would normally never
interact. Make sure you go in with an open mind so you’re able to experience this sensation firsthand.
You won’t regret it.
4. Make connections

Building relationships with both the organization’s directors and the people you serve is so important.
Creating strong relationships while volunteering will make your experience more worthwhile and fun.

5. Assess Your Skills

Make a list of the things you are good at so that you can share them with the volunteer coordinators.

6. Expect to be Challenged

Boredom and impatience with the process are the biggest threats to a fulfilling volunteer experience.If
you work with things instead of people, you may have to rethink how you operate. Working with people
and their problems takes a different and more patient mindset.

"Volunteering can be personally rewarding and helps you 'give something back' to your community."