Poll Do You Volunteer?

[ihateusernames]

I recently spent 2 years seeking volunteer work and had the same experience as Solara. Full job-like applications and interviews. My availability is limited by my husband's work hours so nobody wants me. It's completely absurd, but true. I volunteered quite a bit in high school and later through my church and never had these problems. Now I'm a stay at home mom wanting to do something more with my time and I'm suddenly not good enough to work for free. Well, fine. Since last fall I have been looking for a full time job. I've had better responses for paid opportunities. (Although I recently got screwed out of a federal position I was offered because I couldn't get an interim security clearance and they didn't want to wait for the final one. Grrr.)

Even now, I've turned my focus on the local library system and feel like volunteering for them would help my chances at a salaried position, but same issue- they "hire" volunteers like they do employees. I've gone through part of the process for my sister. She couldn't get a basic retail job because she had no experience so we got her in as a volunteer at the library. I know they wouldn't want me. I wouldn't fit their shifts.

 

[Kintsugi]

My volunteer experiences have definitely run the gamut in terms of application and training requirements. I would agree with @joeylittle that the places that really need the help tend to be the least picky.

I've enjoyed my time volunteering at nursing homes, but I either worked in kitchens, played games, or performed. Some nursing homes will welcome volunteers who just want to serve as company. My grandmother has been legally blind for about two decades, in a transitional community type nursing home for about ten, and she would love if someone just wanted to read her the newspaper or read her mail to her. :)

I also agree that soup kitchens/homeless resource centers in general probably have some of the greatest need for an extra pair of hands.

One thing I would have never thought of personally but that I wound up being introduced to multiple times were volunteer projects cleaning up nature trails or parks.

 

[joeylittle]

I also think there's a difference in the US between volunteering for a large non-profit that runs many projects vs. volunteering for something that's just a local. @Solara, I wonder if that's the difference between my experience and yours, re: that job history question. I just find the nearest place serving food, go in, and ask how to help, or pick up their literature and come back when they are closing down.

You could always say "student", and leave it at that. Or 'freelance', or 'artist'. I don't think I've ever filled out an application for volunteering, but if I did, I honestly wouldn't sweat the details. Either they want the help or they don't. Anything I'm not comfortable answering, I'd leave blank or generalize.

Basically, if you know that you can do pretty much what you are saying you can do, and that you aren't going to try and wreak havoc, then I think it's fine to be vague. Because...not a job. Volunteering :)

 

[ihateusernames]

Thinking about it after responding here, most of the area high schools have volunteer requirements now for the students and a large number of college students are also required to do volunteer hours, and we have a large number of college students around. The employees charged with coordinating and supervising volunteers are probably overwhelmed and are actively trying to dissuade people from even applying. I can't say I blame them, although it is still a stupid system.

 

[greenleaf]

There do seem to be radically different approaches to volunteers in different organizations. I have been in on environmental nonprofit as a volunteer for many years and love the community and goals. I just got an application for a group involving kids, though, and omg...

For years I've functioned quite well in the "real world" in terms of working, though right now things feel more overwhelming, so I've cut back some. I feel I can contribute something through the work though as I could not have kids, and we're all a bit related anyhow. It often makes me happy to volunteer; my grandmother and mother volunteered too. :happy: Also I love positive community.

 

[illusionist]

I know a lady who hasn't worked in 25 years due to mental health issues and now does voluntary work in the local hospital visiting folks who have no visitors. Her mental health issues actually helped her get the work. All she needed was a police check done after she applied to the volunteer services within the hospital....just an idea for anyone who would consider it. They're also very flexible with her, as some days she just can't make it due to her health.

 

[falling_wave]

I don't volunteer much anymore because of my work and school schedule but I do sometimes at a local hospital. I used to volunteer at a hospital, a group home, a runaway youth shelter, and a childrens hospital family support facility. I got so much out of each experience and ultimately the networking, references, and experience I got there are what got me to my job now which I fully love. Volunteering is so worth it!

 

[Recovery4Me]

I am rather ancient :hug:so lots of volunteer time. I have assisted as moderator on several types of on-line boards, sponsor to several 12 steps, tutoring for free at various colleges, public school systems, safety guard, events for charity, church bake sales, rounding cattle, farm work with neighbors, saving injured wildlife, feeding stray puppies, cats, women's shelters, Parents Teacher Association plus other orgs.

One of my favorites was assisting older folks with their at-oddities in public or across the street. I hope that Karma pays off down the road as Laurie stated! :clown:

 

[Ellabella44]

I volunteer for a local cat rescue. Only a short form on pretty much how can we contact you. My contact person turned out to have anxiety and depression so since she has been with them for a long time this group is a good fit. The we would love to have more volunteers variety. They rent the corner of the pet supply store to give their adoptable cats somewhere to be seen and it works out because the store is food and supplies only with the goal of their available pets to be adoptable rescues only. It is a good work environment there. I feel very comfortable with the people there and they know I have ptsd. I felt i had to explain my no eye contact , repeating myself , and things. The store owners are also very nice people and easy for me to talk to. I feel this is where I can get my independence back in a supportive environment.