Posts Tagged ‘volunteering’

Want to help? Stop talking and roll up your sleeves.

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011


Japan 2011 © JIJI PRESS

Even when disasters happen in far-away places, you can still help. Donating money is a great place to start, but don’t stop there. Hosting a fundraiser is as easy as inviting some friends over for lunch or making a page on crowdrise.org.

And Alanna Shaikh says that volunteering in your hometown is a lot more valuable than you might think:

“There is a lot of work at aid agency headquarters that can be done by committed volunteers, and that work often has a huge impact. Everything that a volunteer does pushes down overhead costs and frees up money for the organization to spend on international relief.

I was an Oxfam American volunteer back in the day, and I helped transcribe field interviews for qualitative surveys, edit and format documents, and prepare press releases. It was interesting work, and it was part of what led me to the work I do now. At International Medical Corps, our volunteers drafted situation reports, answered correspondence, and did literature reviews, among other things.”

Check out DoSomething.org, idealist.org, or the website of your favorite aid organization to get some ideas.

Pamela Hawley On How to Have a Rewarding Volunteer Experience

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

pamela-hawley.png Pamela Hawley is founder and CEO of UniversalGiving, a social entrepreneurship nonprofit organization whose vision is to “create a world where giving and volunteering is a natural part of everyday life.” She took some time to share her tips for getting the most out of a volunteer experience.

TILE: TILE members are often interested in finding groups to get involved with. For someone looking to volunteer for the first time, how do you suggest they go about choosing an organization?
Pamela: If I had to state it quickly, I’d say: “Find a cause you care about, and a leader you believe in.” Those are two great milestones that can help ensure success with your volunteer experience.

I would really also try to understand yourself and find out first what your greatest passions are. What is the issue you care about, such as education, poverty, the environment? What do you enjoy doing? Writing, working with people, detailed work/operations? And what is the region you are most interested in, such as New Orleans, El Salvador, Africa or the neighbor across the street?

What’s also important is the size of the organization. Would you like to work in a larger organization that may have more resources, but less flexibility? Or a smaller, entrepreneurial organization that has less support, but multiple opportunities to get involved?

Most importantly, I’d find a good personal fit. Leadership is so important. Find a cause you care about, and a leader you believe in. That’s always a great start!

TILE: Someone once complained to me that it’s hard to find an organization that will assign volunteer tasks other than “clean out the broom closet.” Is this true in your experience and what tips do you have to avoid such situations?
Pamela: It’s important that you find an opportunity that provides a good chance to grow and contribute. I’d try to meet with the leader or volunteer manager to make sure it’s a good fit. Are they open, willing to give you opportunities, warm, friendly, outgoing? Do you see yourself enjoying your day working with them? Then most likely you will have a positive relationship where you can ask to be involved in areas you care about. They will want to see you grow and develop, and you will want to help them. It’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone, each helping another.

It is important to realize, too, that we all have to jump in. I’m CEO, but I still send faxes, too. :) I try to teach my team that a ‘fax is never a fax.’ As I was faxing, I told my team member, this is not just about a piece of paper going through a machine. This particular fax was our contract with Cisco, which allows us to pay salaries at our nonprofit. So it is important to do the small, detailed tasks, and connect them in to higher meaning. Everything works together for good; everything is important. Can you try to find the meaning, and see how you can serve? All leaders appreciate wonderful attitudes and a sincere desire to serve. If you work sincerely at creating a service-minded attitude, a kind demeanor, and make an impact, they will want to help you, too.

TILE: What’s the best advice you would give to your teenage self?
Pamela: Be open. Surprise yourself. You may find you are interested in something you never considered! Go for your dreams and goals, and realize that every experience helps you learn something, and contribute something. Sometimes it will feel great! Other times you might not enjoy it as much, but try to commit to serving, learning and growing. That will lead you to the next wonderful step on your journey.

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Pros Help Nonprofits Kick It Up A Notch…

Monday, June 15th, 2009
Lawyers and business professionals are taking their big business breeding to the nonprofit world.
  • A growing number of lawyers and business professionals is flocking to the nonprofit world. Some made the move because they lost their jobs, while others are craving a career change.
  • Usually college students and recent grads seek out these nonprofit jobs, eager to work but also to learn. This new surge of professionals, armed with their experience and expertise, is extremely valuable to nonprofits.
  • Nonprofits are now prioritizing applicants with business and legal backgrounds, making them more competitive than ever.

Facts & Figures

  • Peace Corps applications are up 16% from last year, with a 50% increase among applicants over 50 years old.
  • Teach for America applications are up 42% this year, with an 80% increase among working professional applicants (rather than college students).

Best Quote

“Business-savvy volunteers are particularly good at helping nonprofits do more with less. These people are setting up credit unions, writing grants, managing resoures – it’s called indirect service.” – Sandy Scott, Director of Public Affairs at AmeriCorps