How to Find the Best Volunteer Job

Being a volunteer is one of the most rewarding ways to spend free time. In a time of federal and corporate budget cuts, organizations who received a large part of their operating expenses through grants are relying more and more on individual donors. But if you have more time than money to contribute, then volunteering is a great way to support your organization or cause.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding where you want to volunteer.

1. What is your secondary goal? It goes without saying that one's primary goal is altruistic---to help someone or something else, and to further a cause you believe in. But there are other benefits as well. Is your goal to meet others? To gain work experience in a field you are considering? To make business/social contacts? Working in a soup kitchen may feed your soul, but if the only reason you have time to do that in the first place is because you just got laid off, then perhaps volunteering to check people in at the next industry conference would be more productive.

Conversely, if you're new in a city, or just looking to expand your circle of friends, find organizations that gather groups of volunteers to work together. Political campaigns are a prime example of this. Volunteers are usually pooled in a common area to work on tasks such as stuffing envelopes or phone banking---mindless tasks that become fun when you are surrounded by like minded people.

2. Are you realistic about the work? A friend of mine, an accomplished lawyer from a top university, recently called the campaign office of a political candidate to volunteer. She envisioned working in an advisory capacity---and given her experience, this was not an unreasonable thing. The volunteer director diplomatically pointed out that while there were already many paid and trusted advisers to the candidate, they always had a need for people to do administrative work.

Most of your work as a volunteer will be physical; washing dogs, walking precincts, helping in a kitchen-or tedious; filing, checking people off a list, organizing files. If this isn't for you, then it's important to find places such as the Small Business Administration, or Legal Aid, where qualified volunteers provide their professional services free of charge.

3. How much time do you have? People who see themselves volunteering for one organization indefinitely should look for groups that have a volunteer board, or a definite hierarchy. This way, as you gain experience, you can move up the ladder and have more decision making authority. Auxiliary groups are a good example. The symphony, ballet, major hospitals and museums have a core group of volunteers who do fund raising. A quick glance at the society section of your newspaper provides the names of the auxiliary; i.e., "A costume ball to benefit the Museum of Modern Art was hosted by the Young Professionals Art League." Not a lady who lunches? Many established agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club, the SPCA, and Alumni organizations have active and influential volunteer boards.

For those who have a fixed amount of time to volunteer, or want a short term commitment, associations which specialize in tasks that have a definite beginning and end would be a good match. Habitat for Humanity, serving meals in shelters, reading in a retirement home are ways to volunteer and see the direct impact of your time.

4. What are the types of people who want to work with? This is not a question about the people/things the group assists. It is the demographic of the individuals you'll be working with. Here's an example: let's say you love the theatre and want to volunteer at the local A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theatre). But there are many places to work: the volunteers who help with the production (sets, costumes, etc.) would be younger, the ushers older, and the members of the League would be the affluent socialites. These are huge generalities, I know, but it's worth keeping in mind that many different types of people can be attracted to the same cause. As an aside, I've found the best experiences I've had has come from going out of my comfort zone to work alongside people that were younger or older, or were otherwise different from my personal circle.

5. Finally, where do you want to work? Do you want to work in a bustling environment like a campaign office, or would you prefer the quiet sanctuary of a library or museum? Some agencies even have volunteers who work from home. Again, personal preference is a factor, but you should also keep in mind, your goal, from the first point. If you want to make new friends, it will be a lot tougher doing it working from home or in the rare books room of the library. Alternately, if you like spending a lot of time outdoors, manning the phone bank will feel like work, even if you are doing it for the Sierra Club.

If the steps above seem to complicate what should be a simple matter, there is a reason for it. An impulse, or desire, to volunteer is a wonderful thing, that can help so many people. But impulses and desires are not good long term motivators when you are not getting paid to do it, and are under no obligation to continue. The best way to turn that impulse into a commitment is to find an organization where the work is its own reward.