You may or may not know this, but last week, April 19-25, was National Volunteer Week. I must’ve had my head in the sand because I thought it was next week, and I do quite a bit of volunteering. Oops!
What is National Volunteer Week, you ask? Well, according to the same verbatim copy I’ve found on multiple sites online,
National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors, and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week.
Simultaneously taking place during National Volunteer Week, thousands of volunteers also participate in local community service projects.
I thought it was next week because my friend Julia, Director of Volunteer Services for Resource Genesee, has been working hard to put together and promote our area’s Volunteer Expo & Celebration, which is this Saturday, May 2nd.
There are many benefits of volunteering, other than the obvious fulfilling your probation or “making a difference” in your community. Warm fuzzies are nice but they don’t pay the bills. However, if you’re one of the many people today that are out of a job, there’s a good chance that volunteering your time and talents can lead to one. It did for Julia, and it could for you.
Even if you’re not looking for work, volunteering can help you “build your ark before you need it,” because you never know the contacts you’ll make. Yes, everyone knows I’m a big advocate for online social networking, but really, nothing compares to honest-to-goodness, face-to-face interaction with people.
I think Volunteer Week is a great idea, but we need to remember that volunteers are needed year-round, not just one week out of the year. And it’s not just helping out in soup kitchens — there are literally thousands of organizations in this country alone that could use your help — whatever you can give, whenever you can give — because a little goes a long way.
After the jump I’ve listed just a few of the many places online where you can go to find volunteering opportunities in your area, because while you’re here and reading this, you might as well check a couple out.
(I must warn you, though — if you have a weakness for all things cute and furry (like I do), lending at hand at the Humane Society might not be the best idea. A friend of mine in Cleveland did that some years ago and next thing you know, she had 17 cats in a one-bedroom apartment.)
Volhere.org - This is actually a local site for my area — Genesee County, Michigan, and part of Resource Genesee. If you are local, I invite you (and highly encourage you) to attend their volunteer expo this Saturday, May 2nd at First Presbyterian Church of Flint, 746 S. Saginaw St, from noon – 4 p.m.
Idealist.org – I like this site. They’re very gung-ho social media and incorporate that into a lot of what they do with podcasts, a blog, and other stuff. Not only is it interactive like that, but it’s not just a volunteer opportunity finder — it’s a community and there are even job postings on there. I’m making a mental note to explore this one more. From their site: “Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.”
VolunteerMatch.org - This organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Just plug in your zip code and a couple keywords of your interests to find opportunities in your area. This site is very interactive and has tons of interesting content, from maps to contests to highlights of volunteers and nonprofits. Definitely worth checking out.
Serve.gov – This is the official government one, with President Obama’s stamp of approval, mugshot, and all that jazz. Another one where you plug in your zip code & interests and get to see what pops up. (Most of them are like this.)
Volunteers of America – This one is a national faith-based nonprofit over 100 years old. From their site: “Through thousands of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities in 44 states. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions.”
NationalService.gov – another government-official one. This one is chock-full of content but not every pleasing to the eye nor user-friendly. Somehow tied in with the Peace Corps. I can’t tell you much more, the lack of usability scared me away. Still, I’m sure it’s good.
Volunteering in America – this one’s also from the governmental, and directly tied in with the one above. It’s easier to use but looks like it was made on FrontPage ’98. It’s got a lot of interesting statistics inside if you explore, though.
PointsOfLight.org – From their site: “Points of Light Institute was created by the merger of the Points of Light Foundation and Hands On Network in August 2007. The result is a powerful, integrated national organization with a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. . . Points of Light Institute operates three dynamic business units that share a mission to equip, mobilize and inspire people to take action that changes the world: HandsOn Network, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator.” . . . they look like they get a lot of corporate sponsors for stuff, too.
Obviously, there’s no wrong answer here and no site better than the other, so just explore the different ones and find some different opportunities. What’s important is that you give back, because you never know what kind of things you’ll get in return. And really, because it’s just the right thing to do.
So get off your ass and do something!
“Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals.”
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