Random Poll: What do you do to Volunteer?

[Hawkeye]

Does this go in the deep thoughts arena?

Anyway-I'm looking for some ideas on where to volunteer etc. I'm talking to a person to see if she wants to join me in Relay for Life with the American Cancer society but I would like to do more. If she does then some of my higher priced items all of the profits will go to the ACS in my ebay store but I wont do it unless she's there! Know what I mean?

Now, as much as I love pets-it *REALLY* is not in my best interest to work with them (Ie: I'll get killed if I bring any more pets home and let me tell you every pet I see will come home with me! LOL) So I gotta work if possible with humans.

I really want to get involved with these following topics:
American Cancer Society
Special Needs
American Heart Association
Obesity
Muscular Dystrophy
And I think that's about it. Maybe go into hospice? Who knows?

But you see what my goals are. But I am not sure how to get involved. So I'm hoping you girls/guys will give me ideas on how I can get involved and maybe I can get inspired

Anyway-Thanks for your help!

 

[mzcelaneous]

In high school, I volunteered in a skilled nursing home that specialized in oncology patients. If you have something like that near by, I'd defintely look into that. Nursing homes are always looking for volunteers. Hopefully, other than the Parent-Teacher council, our local library, & Kaiser, I can find some time to help out there also. I'll be following this thread for some tips too!

 

[Raerae]

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/sup/sup_0.asp

Try that for the American Cancer Society, gimme a moment and i'll find you links to the others.

 

[Raerae]

http://www.americanheart.org/present...le=Voluntee r

You can use that one to get started with the American Heart Association.

 

[Raerae]

http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/ab...ing/index.html

That one will get you started with muscular-dystrophy

 

[Raerae]

http://www.obesity.org/subs/contactus.shtml

try that for a place to start regarding helping with obesity.

 

[aziajs]

I have tried to do volunteer work so many times and it always fell through. I wanted to volunteer at Planned Parenthood but that shit was like applying for a job. The applications, interviews and screening process was too much for me. I tried Habitat for Humanity but they wouldn't return my calls. I was bummed about that cuz I REALLY wanted to do it. Ummmm...I volunteered at the Chicago Historical Society the year before I went to high school.

 

[Hawkeye]

RaeRae-lol you are too awesome

I can't believe I missed those links-but then again when I was checking it was 4 AM this morning!

 

[CherryFabulous]

I used to volunteer at nursing homes... but now a days I work with Habitat for Humanity, and I volunteer at my church working in the nursery and with youth.

 

[giz2000]

I run triathlons/marathons for the Leukemia Society's Team in Training, and I am the president of the PTA at my son's school...

 

[YvetteJeannine]

I do BBBS, local youth groups, and local animal shelters...I've fostered animals for a large Connecticut domesticated animal group called "Our Companions" (a wonderful organization).

 

[Wattage]

I have been volunteering with people with disabilities for over two years. In my opinion, this is really the best type of volunteer work one can do. Why?

Big name orgs. get a lot of volunteers and a lot of high profile donations and sponsors. Also, a lot of time (from past experience) you end up just pushing paper or doing something menial and not very stimulating. It's not that these jobs don't need to be done, it's just that they aren't very rewarding.

I have enjoyed the volunteer positions best when I can act one-on-one with real people. Helping them, taking them to the bank, a play, feeding them. Just giving them support and social stimulation. Trust me, these people appreciate something as simple as watching a movie with a volunteer more than an admin staffer will appreciate you pushing paper for 4 hours a week.

Best of luck!

 

[browneyedbaby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aziajs I have tried to do volunteer work so many times and it always fell through. I wanted to volunteer at Planned Parenthood but that shit was like applying for a job. The applications, interviews and screening process was too much for me. I tried Habitat for Humanity but they wouldn't return my calls. I was bummed about that cuz I REALLY wanted to do it. Ummmm...I volunteered at the Chicago Historical Society the year before I went to high school.

In some cases this 'interview' style process is totally necessary and the only way to weed out those that may love the idea of volunteering but for whatever reason are just not suitable. Many get carried away with the idea but never actully do anything. And if it's with children or minors then the risks of not being as careful as possible are obvious. If people can't be patient with the application process then it obviously isn't something they had enough passion for anyway. No offence meant to you personally, just generally speaking!

 

[browneyedbaby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wattage I have been volunteering with people with disabilities for over two years. In my opinion, this is really the best type of volunteer work one can do. Why? Big name orgs. get a lot of volunteers and a lot of high profile donations and sponsors. Also, a lot of time (from past experience) you end up just pushing paper or doing something menial and not very stimulating. It's not that these jobs don't need to be done, it's just that they aren't very rewarding. I have enjoyed the volunteer positions best when I can act one-on-one with real people. Helping them, taking them to the bank, a play, feeding them. Just giving them support and social stimulation. Trust me, these people appreciate something as simple as watching a movie with a volunteer more than an admin staffer will appreciate you pushing paper for 4 hours a week. Best of luck!

But don't totally overlook the admin side as without this the group/charity/ whatever wouldn't be able to function. As for it not being rewarding the reward is that you are part of a bigger picture, it doesn't matter that other people are not aware as that's not really the point. It's nice to be appreciated but that's not what volunteering should be about, although of course everyone needs some kind of motivation.

--

There are loads of choices out there so I'm sure you'll find what's right for you.

 

[Wattage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyedbaby But don't totally overlook the admin side as without this the group/charity/ whatever wouldn't be able to function. As for it not being rewarding the reward is that you are part of a bigger picture, it doesn't matter that other people are not aware as that's not really the point. It's nice to be appreciated but that's not what volunteering should be about, although of course everyone needs some kind of motivation. -- There are loads of choices out there so I'm sure you'll find what's right for you.

I agree that admin needs help, it's just important to look at why you are volunteering. If like me, you need to volunteer to gain valuable work experience, then pushing paper isn't the best job for you. There are plenty of people who want to do admin volunteer work and admin work only - such as retire-ees and those looking for administrative experience.

Also, I think that volunteering should be partially about being appreciated, not only by those you help, but appreciating yourself and the time you invest.

In the end, it depends what you are looking for from your experience.

 

[browneyedbaby]

I agree every situation is different. Just wanted to point out that people that do do this type of work are hugely appreciated.

It's hard to discuss as a whole as each individual situation is so different.

Personally I'm speaking as someone who looks after volunteers for a living and works for a charity so my perspective is quite different to most. (I have no volunteers that want to do admin work for me btw! lol I wish I did!)

 

[fash10nista]

My company has a partnership with an organization called VolunteerMatch. You can find more information on volunteering and you can search for volunteer opps in your area. HTH.

 

[MAC_Whore]

I volunteer off and on when time presents itself to a local private animal shelter. Lots of furries.

 

[Ms. Z]

I used to help pack food deliveries for homebound AIDS patients. I also used to aasist in shopping for items/gifts to be delivered to Homeless Shelters, Nursing Homes and Foster Homes during the Holidays. Up to about 4 months ago I was involved in a program where we went to read books to public school kids; I had to resign due to my decling health.

What I always wanted to do was spend time with the babies at Hale House.; I have never volunteered for this because I know my heart won't be able to handle it.

 

[Jennifer Mcfly]

if you want to get involved with a pet organization, you can look into something like wildlife rehabilitation centers and shelters...where they house wild animals that you wouldn't even be able to take home even if you wanted to!

i used to work with one in south florida b/c i lived near the everglades, we worked with gators, otters, sugar gliders, birds, snakes etc.