Here’s an interview with a volunteer engagement professional on how to share your talents, experience and knowledge and make an offer to volunteer.

Potential Volunteer (PV): What would the first step be for me if I wish to offer my skills and abilities to an organization as a volunteer?

Volunteer Engagement Professional (VEP): You could begin by looking up an organization or a few organizations to see what aligns with your passions. Dream big, there are so many worthy causes and so many non-profit organizations and charities doing really great work!

PV: I found a couple of organizations that I like, but they have not put out a call for someone with my skills; they don’t seem to be looking for volunteers to do what I have in mind.

VEP: Sometimes organizations don’t put out a specific call for someone with the skills and experience you have to offer. It may sound unbelievable, but sometimes they haven’t even thought of that yet! You could be a gift they didn’t even know they were wishing for!

PV: I’ve found an organization that really speaks to me, and I can see how my skills could benefit them; I can see myself volunteering with them.

VEP: That’s great! Contacting them would be the next step for you. You can either contact them by email or phone or drop in and visit them.

PV: I think I’d like to phone them first, just to be sure they are interested in what I have to offer.

VEP: That sounds good. When you call, you’ll probably reach a receptionist so first ask if they are the right person to speak with about volunteering. Many organizations have a designated person (like me — a volunteer engagement professional) or a team who recruit, engage and support the organization’s volunteers.

Once you get the right person on the phone:

  • Tell them why you’ve contacted them specifically (you like their cause / purpose or you have some experience you’d like to share which could make a positive impact to the community they serve)
  • Let them know you’re enthusiastic and excited to volunteer with them
  • Tell them in a few words what you can bring to them as a volunteer (anywhere from: “I want to help in any way” to “I have a specific area of skill or expertise, and I wish to use this to benefit your community”)

PV: I think I’d like to also follow up that phone call with an email.

VEP: That’s a really good idea. People who work with volunteers can get really busy serving the community so multiple ways to stay in touch with them and remind them of your enthusiasm is a really good idea.

In your email:

  • Remind them you called them on such and such a day and enjoyed speaking with them
  • Provide them with a summary of your skills, experience and area of interest, so they have it in black and white

PV: I’m not sure if what I am offering is performed in non-profit organizations.

VEP: It may delight you to know that non-profits engage volunteers in boundless ways — volunteers are integral to the life of non-profit organizations!

Here are some of the actual ways volunteers are helping throughout Canada right now.

Tell them about you and how you wish to help:

  • I’m a photographer, I’d like to take photos at your events and share them with you
  • I love plants and gardening, I noticed you have gardens, I could weed or landscape
  • I’m an accountant or financial advisor, I could run financial literacy classes or tax clinics or bookkeep for the organization
  • Cooking is my thing, I could teach cooking or cook meals
  • I want to help in any way with anything
  • I am an artist, I can run some art classes
  • I’m a (retired) lawyer, I could offer legal clinics
  • I am a phycologist, I can offer counselling services
  • I’m a (retired) licensed nurse, I can offer blood pressure testing or other medical services
  • I am very good with computers and web design, I can offer these skills to you
  • I love reading to children, I understand you work with children
  • I’m a project planner, I can help organize and lead your projects
  • Fill in your own area of expertise or interest you wish to offer here __________________

PV: Is there anything else I could share with them that might be helpful

VEP: Yes, at this stage they don’t know much about you yet so inform them about what’s important to you. Speak your truth.

  • Tell them you’d like to know what’s involved and that you’ve never volunteered before (if you haven’t).
  • If they tell you to go online or go through their computer system, and you aren’t sure what that means or how to do that, tell them you aren’t comfortable on computers and you’d like their help to walk you through the process.
  • Be sure to talk about accessibility if needed (see below for the link to our article “Ageless Access: Older Adult Friendly Spaces”).

PV: What if I wish to visit the organization in person as my first step?

VEP: You can most certainly do that. Keep in mind that the volunteer engagement professional at the organization may not be available to speak with you at that moment however, so you may wish to ask the receptionist if you can set up a meeting with that person or you may wish to try going back some time and hope for more luck the next time. While you’re there, you can get a feel for the organization and perhaps speak with the receptionist in a general way about the work they do there. Your visit will not be wasted.

PV: I like or need to write down what I want to say.

VEP: There is no problem at all to take notes with you of what you wish to say. There is no problem either to take notes while in your meetings with the organization.

PV: I’d like to bring a support person with me to meet with the organization.

VEP: Many of us feel more comfortable with someone we know accompanying us to different or new places and some of us need a support person. It is perfectly fine to inform the organization that you’d prefer to have your support person with you.

PV: The organization I was excited about told me they can’t use me at this time. What do I do?

VEP: There is hope — ask for a referral to another similar organization. Often VEPs have connections with VEPs at other organizations and can give you an introduction to a different organization.

PV: I’m getting frustrated, I’ve contacted four organizations and they say they can’t use my offer at this time. I’m certain that what I have to offer will make a positive impact.

VEP: You are so correct, what you have to offer is most important — you are important. Most, if not all, non-profit organizations engage volunteers but not every one does the same things and engages the same types of volunteers or roles. And sometimes they have enough volunteers at this time and their capacity is only so much. It’s important to bear this in mind as it will help in the process. So, if the one(s) you contacted can’t use what you offer, contact another one. Some patience may be required in this process but it will be well worth your efforts.* They will be most fortunate to have you!

PV: I’m bursting with excitement to be a volunteer utilizing my experiences and talents!

VEP: I’m so glad to hear this… I wish you all the best with it. Go get ‘em! You’ve got this!

For more helpful information see our articles: