Tips for Successful Volunteers

Volunteering can be both rewarding and quite beneficial for the organization/individuals that you desire to help. Many authors discuss the value and vast benefits: both to you and the people whom you are serving. This statement is true. I am not discouraging anyone from volunteering. In fact, I believe that volunteering does enrich the experience and spiritual aspects of a person. Many contributors to this site have extolled the benefits of volunteering. There are: however, some crucial elements to consider before you embark on a volunteer opportunity. These tips will help you to have a positive volunteering experience.

Why are you volunteering? This question might seem simple. But, too many times people decide to volunteer because they have felt sympathy or guilt for either a certain population or surrounding a certain issue. If one volunteers out of guilt or pity, they must realize that these feelings will vanish quickly. After these feelings disappear, one is left resentful or at least with a feeling of atonement. In this case, the choice to volunteer was not to help others, rather, it was to ease guilt or feel less pity for a segment of the population. Furthermore, those who have been helped by this type of volunteering rarely want pity. They appreciate assistance; however, they desire empathy, not sympathy or apathy. There is usually more than one reason that a person volunteers. Do you want to strengthen your resume? Would you like a bit of recognition. It is important to outline your reasons and goals for volunteering.

How do you feel toward the population that you are serving? If you believe half of the stories that you hear about unscrupulous immigrants, then, it is best that you not offer your services teaching English. Similarly, if older people "give you the creeps," then don't volunteer in a nursing home. Certainly some might say that it broadens one's horizons. More than likely, it will only make you a grumpy volunteer.

What are your gifts? If you don't like working with children, then don't volunteer as a tutor. Take an inventory of your strengths. Strengths might include: positive qualities, interests, abilities and resources. There are many volunteer opportunities that do not involve communicating with different types of people. If you are one who does not like interacting with a variety of individuals, there are still many opportunities for you to volunteer. You could write letters, do data entry for an organization, stuff envelopes, read for a library service or even pack boxes for an organization to send elsewhere.

Time and money are always factors when volunteering. Decide ahead of time how much time that you will be willing to spend volunteering. How much money will you be able to spend? Many people begin to volunteer, all to realize that they are giving more time, money and/or energy than they had originally allocated.

Understand the organization that uses your volunteer services. It is important that you know the organization's mission, philosophy and structure. Additionally, you should obtain clear guidelines as to your exact duties and what happens when your duties can not be carried out successfully.

Volunteering is quite rewarding. However, it is important to understand your own beliefs, values, desires, goals, gifts, qualities and limitations. It is also necessary for you to be acquainted with the organization's goals and working structure. Working within those guidelines will maximize your volunteering experience and ensure that you have a positive one. This means that you are more than likely to volunteer in the future.