8 Steps to Meaningful Volunteering
Volunteering is an awesome way to give back to your community. By providing assistance to nonprofit organizations or causes that you care about, you’re not only helping people in need but also gaining valuable life experiences along the way. For many high school students looking to go to college, community service is also a valuable way to show dedication and engagement to one’s community.
Many nonprofit initiatives, like Menti, rely on the work of volunteers to accomplish their goals and objectives. So if there’s something you care deeply about and want to make a difference in, get out there and devote yourself to it! This article will help you get started on your journey to community service.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
1. Find a cause you care about
Think about what it is that you care deeply about. Is it access to education? Civil rights and racial discrimination? The environment? Homelessness? Or gender equality? The list goes on and on. Finding an issue that you’re passionate about is a great starting point because you can then look for organizations that dedicate themselves to those specific causes. Working towards something you personally care about will make the work more enjoyable and rewarding!
2. Figure out what your top skills are
Some volunteer work will require individuals to have a specific set of skills. Identifying what skills you currently have can help you find volunteer opportunities that better suit your skill sets. However, if you’re young and just getting started, don’t worry! Most organizations have entry-level roles that will train you on the basics once you start. O*NET has a great resource that shows you occupations that match certain skills. Although it’s for jobs and not volunteering roles, it’s a great resource to help find what you can do. Oftentimes, what makes a great volunteer isn’t someone with the best technical experience, but rather someone who has a strong work ethic, great time management skills, work well in teams and shows commitment and compassion in the work they do. So if that sounds like you, you’ll be a great asset to any organization!
3. Research organizations that support the causes you care about
Go online and search for organizations that match your interests. For example, if you care a lot about access to food and the hunger issue in America, you can go online and search for organizations that fight hunger. You’ll find dozens of charities that are working to end hunger around the world.
4. Ask around in your community for volunteer opportunities
If you don’t have a specific cause that you currently want to devote to but still want to give your time to your community, ask around for opportunities! You can go to your family, friends or teachers, and community leaders to see if there are any good volunteer positions. If you can’t find something that exactly aligns with your interest at the moment, you can always start volunteering in homeless shelters, animal shelters, food banks, churches, or retirement homes within your community. These places can be a good way for you to learn what works best for you. If you’re a college student, many student organizations are actually operating as non-profits, so make sure to check out the student organizations that are on your campus!
5. Use websites to help you find volunteer work that’s right for you
With the help of the internet, we can easily find open volunteer positions near us. There are a few websites that you can use to help connect you to those opportunities:
6. Apply for the volunteer position
Once you find a role that matches your interest and schedule, you’ll most likely be asked to submit an application. Make sure to take some time to go over the application requirements, check the spelling in your answers, and provide them with all the necessary information they need in order to make a decision. Just like with job applications, if you don’t hear back after a while, make sure to follow up with them. If this is a position you’re truly passionate about, let them know!
7. Once you start, make sure you actually enjoy the role!
Sometimes, a position might not be what you expected it to be. If you realize that the work isn’t something you’re interested in doing, that’s okay! Finding a volunteer experience that’s enjoyable and gives you purpose is very important because it’ll help you build a better relationship with the volunteer experience. It’ll make you excited to volunteer more in the future. If you didn’t find what you love the first time, keep trying, because your efforts will make a difference in someone’s life.
8. If there’s something you’re very passionate about and want to dedicate yourself to, consider starting a nonprofit of your own!
Menti was started by a group of friends that wanted to do something for our communities. We came together and realized that youth development is something we’re all passionate about. What started off as a conversation on a car ride has turned into the website you see today! We’ve all gained more from this experience than what we’ve given, and we will continue to dedicate ourselves to this cause. If there’s something you care deeply about and want to start your own nonprofit but don’t know where to start, feel free to reach out to us or other nonprofits!
