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The world of volunteer work is as wide open as that of paid work, if not more so. Volunteer positions can be simple activities open to all or require a high degree of skill and expertise. They may be with a major national or international organization or at a local nonprofit or community group. When considering the ample variety of volunteer opportunities to pursue, you're likely to come across the following types of positions most often.
Teaching/Tutoring
Teaching, tutoring and mentoring positions take many forms. They can be more or less formal, one-on-one or in groups, goal-driven (i.e., helping someone pass the GED exam or attaining English language proficiency), or interest-oriented, such as serving as a museum docent or a hobby coach. Literacy instruction, language training and help with math are all common volunteer teaching positions, and many of them involve evening hours, making them easier to fit into most schedules. But because these positions rely on sustained interaction with program participants, it's important to commit for the suggested time frame.
Special Events
Almost every time a special event occurs in your community -- a walk-a-thon, an open house, a performance -- volunteers help make it happen. Often, volunteering at a special event doesn't require a long-term commitment, and little specialized knowledge is expected. In some cases, especially in tasks related to planning or promoting the event, the commitment can be more involved.
Environmental Cleanup
Whether it's picking up litter in a park, cleaning a beach or restoring a trail, there are bound to be green projects in your community that could use your help. Usually, volunteer environmental cleanups are daylong affairs rather than recurring commitments. But if you're looking for a regular role in environmental stewardship, a little research will turn up volunteer opportunities in your region or even in another state or country -- if you can cover the related expenses.
Fund-raising
Beyond bake sales and car washes, many community groups and charities rely on volunteers to help raise money for their programs. This can take the form of grant writing and research, becoming a liaison with area businesses and philanthropists, and helping to coordinate fund-raising efforts. And although fund-raising is primarily the responsibility of their board members, many nonprofits seek extra assistance from volunteers to help them make ends meet.
Graphic Design
Whether they need fliers, other visual materials or Web site development, nonprofits and community groups often have openings for volunteer graphic designers. If you're handy with design suites and image editors, you'll easily find a group that could benefit from your volunteer services. Often, these positions involve a regular commitment to tasks such as maintaining a Web site or laying out a newsletter.
Office Assistance/Data Entry/Mass Mailings
While rarely anyone's dream position, helping a local group send out an important mailing, processing a stack of forms or answering the phone one day a week can really make an impact in an understaffed organization. Contributing office assistance might be the easiest way for you to help out a group whose mission you care about passionately.
Catches?
Some volunteer opportunities don't require any particular skills and are open to all. Others may have stringent, albeit routine, requirements or may demand a certain skill set or level of physical or emotional resilience. For example, some volunteer positions at hospitals may require an up-to-date immunization record. Likewise, opportunities to work with children may require a background check. Some long-term volunteer positions require passing an organization's training program or obtaining some form of certification. A short conversation with the program's coordinator should tell you how to meet the requirements.
How Do I Find Opportunities?
Remember, organizations will never know you're interested in helping them unless you step forward. Luckily, there are a number of ways to find a volunteer opportunity in your community. Check the classifieds or community profile features in a local newspaper, or ask staff at area schools, libraries, churches, hospices and nonprofits. On the Web, you can browse thousands of volunteer opportunities and resources in Idealist.org's Volunteer Center.
