Volunteer to do Something You Love

Recently, I was perusing the Volunteer Match website and I found a match that is absolutely perfect for me – It’s volunteering to help plan an event. I love planning parties and such, so this is seriously right up my alley and the proceeds go to Cancer research, so I can feel good that my efforts are going to help a good cause. It’s a win-win.

The next best volunteer opportunity for me was to work at a pet store adjacent to a local animal shelter. I adore animals, but I have concerns about working at a shelter directly because I usually think their rules are a little too strict and I think I would end up taking home about five dogs in my first week. So, volunteering at the shop next door would be better for me. I get to help the pups, but I don’t have to end up with a rescue foundation at my home.

I’d like to do both (event planning and shop running), but unfortunately I won’t have the time. So, I’ll have a choice to make. My plan is to talk to each organization to see exactly what they would need from me, and then I’ll go from there. The event planning gig is only temporary, so I might end up doing that for a few months, and then devoting all of my volunteer time to the shelter’s store.

It’s exciting to find ways to help out that are so well-suited to my personality and likes. I think that’s an important message to send to those who aren’t volunteering at the moment: You really can find a way to help by doing something that interests you. It might just take a little effort to find the right cause, but trust me, in the end it’ll be worth it. You’ll feel great about your contribution and you’ll enjoy the time spent.

How Volunteering Can Help You Decide Where to Donate

Studies show that we feel better when we give than when we receive. I know, I do. But there are a few ways to give. You can decide to give your time, or you can decide to give your money. Either way, it’s an investment that should leave you feeling pretty good about yourself.

The thing about donating money, though, is that you’re never really sure how the organization is using it. Are you just paying someone’s salary, or are you actually helping people in need? The truth is, some non-profits are more worthy than others. And among those who are worthy, you may find a cause that you naturally sympathize with. That narrows down the options a bit. But, if you want to be sure that the organization is using your money for good, get in there and get your hands dirty. Volunteer for the organization and you’ll know exactly how committed they are at helping those in need. You don't find getting scholarships easy, do you? Then why should you so easily turn over your hard earned cash?

Still not buying it? Here are a few more reasons why it’s a good idea to volunteer before you donate:

· Charities are good at pulling at our heart strings, and just about everything sounds good in the first few minutes of the sell. Donate your time to the cause to test your true resolve and passion.

· A mission statement may help you identify who they are and what they do, but working in a day-to-day setting with the group lets you understand how and on what levels they operate, be it grassroots change or rewriting policy.

· While working, you may only glimpse a piece of the organization, but that's often enough to understand their work ethic, commitment, progress and work culture at the organizational level.

· You can also trace the money to see if they are wasteful or intelligently spending you cash to improve the world.

· As you get to know the people and learn what they are actually doing on the ground, you will be able to see where your talents are best applied. Maybe you can help in ways they hadn't thought of, or connect them to other friends in high places and really help the cause.

5 Ways to Volunteer in Cambodia

Have you ever dreamed of running off to a far away land, if even for a short time? I have; that’s why I’ve started looking into volunteering abroad. There really are a lot of places with great opportunities, but Cambodia is looking pretty appealing.

Here are a few ways you can volunteer in Cambodia:

1. Help teach skills to the young people of Cambodia. You might consider volunteering at Fresh Eats Café, which makes juices with vegetables and fruits. But there are many others out there as well. These organizations are beneficial because they help young people learn skills that will last them the rest of their lives. It may lead to a better job in the future.

2. Try volunteering to teach children a skill in storytelling, entertainment or art. The Phare Ponleu Circus is one place volunteers may qualify to work with children. You can teach these children skills that will contribute to the diversity and art of Cambodia. You can also change the life of a child by being an inspirational force.

3. It might be your passion to help save lives. In this case, volunteering with a group that finds and disposes of landmines, missiles, grenades and other dangerous items might be right up your alley. The group is also educational, providing information to those who might be at risk for interacting with dangerous weapons.

4. If you find that you are a good teacher, you might choose to teach English to Cambodian children and adults. Local organizations can connect you with schools or people who would benefit from learning a new language. No teaching experience is usually required, although certain specialties may require a certification.

5. There are many orphanages in Cambodia that could use some extra hands to help out. Orphanages typically do not require language skills or any other specific qualifications. As a volunteer, you may be responsible for feeding and interacting with children who live in the orphanage. Or, you might be responsible for cleaning the area.

5 Ways Volunteering Can Help You Get a Job

If your job hunt has hit a slow point, that doesn’t mean it’s to take a break. There’s one kind of job that you can start immediately: volunteering. Okay, so it’s not a paying gig, but it can help you find a job that actually does pay the bills. By volunteering to help with legal aid, you might make the connections you need to get a killer paralegal job.

Volunteers keep many organizations going, so there are plenty of opportunities. Here are five ways volunteering can help you get a job:

1. Boost Your Confidence: Sometimes another opportunity going nowhere feels like one more than you can take. But a charitable organization will welcome you with open arms. Going to your volunteer job every day will make you feel you’ve made a valuable contribution. 
2. Gain New Skills: Look for groups that need tasks similar to those you’re dream job would involve. If you would like to get into project management, offer to manage an event. If you are going for sales jobs, offer to do public relations. Tailor your volunteering to fill holes in your resume.
3. Meet Networking Contacts: Professionals often give back to their communities. Offer to volunteer for projects that might attract people in your field. Rubbing shoulders with them at the fundraising drive gives you a chance to get acquainted and find out about opportunities at their firms.
4. Fill in an Employment Gap: If it’s been a while since you worked, volunteering adds something to that empty time on your resume. Everyone knows the economy is slow. If you can show you spent the time volunteering, your resume will look better.
5. Attract Civic-Minded Employers: Many employers include social responsibility as a corporate value. Many also encourage their staff to take time to help the less fortunate. Do so and you are one step ahead of other applicants with similar skills.

Time to Volunteer: Tackling Excuses

Sadly, bad news is easy to find these days. Turn on the TV or read the newspaper and depressing stories are probably all you’ll find. Still, even though the media paints a bleak picture of our society, there is hope. Remember that (and turn off the news every so often, if you want to hold onto your hope for humanity). Volunteering is one way you can make sure there is some good in the world – you, yourself, can be the change you want to see. As cliché as it sounds, you can goodwill to those around you by volunteering to help others.

There are so many excuses people use for not spending their time helping others, but remember, they are just that: excuses. If you don’t want to help others, you should just admit that. Otherwise, break down each of your excuses, and you’ll see how you really can find time to volunteer.

Excuse #1: My schedule is always changing. Volunteering doesn't have to be a big commitment. Most nonprofits offer one time or sporadic opportunities that you can jump in and handle whenever you have time. You don’t necessarily have to commit to volunteering every single Wednesday or Sunday. Just find an opportunity that allows you to join in when you can.

Excuse #2: My free time comes in bits and pieces. Not all nonprofits expect their volunteers to be present to volunteer. If you can write grants or newsletters then you don't even have to visit the agency. Some projects allow you to work from home and send the finished product to your charity. So, even if you work long hours, you can still find time to contribute. This rule holds true with donating food or clothing as well. Rounding up old clothes or canned food is a quick effort that charities appreciate. If your free time comes in bits and pieces, your volunteer efforts can too!

Excuse #3: There aren’t any good charities in my area. Okay, now you’re just being silly. It doesn’t matter how small your town is, there are people who need a hand, and people who are helping them. Start by visiting your local church (or another religious organization). If that doesn’t work, check out Charity Navigator to find nearby volunteer opportunities.

As the world gets busier, charities make volunteering easier. Having a caring spirit is often the only requirement. If you want to volunteer, nonprofits will work with you to find a way. The newspaper may be filled with bad news, but your life doesn't have to be.

How to Stay Motivated to Volunteer (Again and Again)

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and spread goodwill among the public. Whether you're volunteering to do something simple, such as being a little league baseball coach, or if it’s something on a larger scale, like organizing a statewide awareness campaign, it is always a rewarding experience.

The trouble is that in many cases it can be hard to stick with volunteer work because the rewards aren't anything tangible (aka no monetary compensation). You'll be sinking a lot of time into something that doesn't put money in your bank account or give you a return on your time investment in the material sense. If you’re feeling this way now, don’t be ashamed about it; you just need a few tips and tricks to help keep you motivated.

Keep a Record of Your Progress - Regardless of what kind of volunteer work you're doing, you most likely have a concrete goal that you're trying to achieve. Whatever that goal may be, keep a written record of your progress. If you're doing a food drive, keep a record of the donations you get; if you're coaching a kids’ sports team, keep a record of their wins and losses. Documenting your progress can be a powerful way to stay motivated.

Get People to Hold You Accountable - This can be easy if you're doing something that is relatively social and involves a lot of people. On the other hand, if you're doing solo volunteer work, find an accountability partner to report in to often.

Neural Linguistic Programming - This method is powerful. Write down your volunteer goals and read them aloud before you go to bed and after you wake up every day. Don't just read it like a robot; put some passion into it. Making resolutions out loud is an incredible way to program your subconscious to take action.

Keep Daily Schedule - This method is simple but powerful; just write down the tasks that absolutely must be completed the next day before you go to bed. The next day, cross off the tasks as you complete them. Remember, there are no excuses; the tasks you wrote down must be completed no matter what. This will give an increased sense of accomplishment to all your volunteering efforts.

Submit a Press Release - Volunteer work can be a thankless job, and this can sometimes get you down. Don't feel bad; it’s natural to want recognition for your good deeds. Try submitting a press release to a local newspaper or an online newsfeed. Getting praise both online and off can be a huge motivator. Just don’t make it all about you. Talk about the great things the charity is doing and add a quote from yourself to get your name in there. It’s great to do something anonymously, but sometimes we all need a little pat on the back. Don’t feel bad about doing this either. I know, you’re not the kind of person who needs to tattoo it on his forehead every time he does something good, but a little recognition for the charity and yourself can really go a long way. Not only will it make you feel good, but it’ll help keep you motivated to spend more time volunteering - which is good for everyone.

Volunteering vs. Donating

Back in 2008, when the economy really took a plunge, is when I first started thinking about helping others get through rough times. I was going through a bit of a rough time myself, but I knew so many people had it so much worse than me. Perhaps because of my own misfortune, I understood firsthand that a life can completely change in just a short moment. Someone who is financially stable can lose all their money and become homeless. Someone who is otherwise healthy can have an accident that debilitates them for life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past three years, it’s that things change. You’ve got to roll with the punches, and help others do the same.

That’s when I knew I had to use whatever resources I had to help others. Unfortunately, money was not a resource I had at the time, so I chose to volunteer. Many people who have the financial resources choose to donate, and that’s great, but I think it’s so much more rewarding to get in there and get your “hands dirty.”

When you donate to any charity, at least a small percentage of your donation is likely going towards someone’s salary. I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing (although in some cases it is). In order for a charitable organization to be successful, they are going to need some full-time help. You can’t really expect anyone to volunteer 100 percent of their time, so a salary is necessary.

There are some salaries that are overinflated and some charities that use too much of your donation towards compensation for their employees. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there are other charities that are barely scraping by so they can maximize the resources devoted to helping others. Finding the right charity to donate to is not a simple process. Charity Navigator can help you with your decision, but you still may need to ask some hard questions. This is another reason why I’d rather volunteer than donate. I don’t think that makes me a bad person, but what’s your take on the situation?