A Guide to Getting Started
There are so many different possibilities and ways you can volunteer. You can volunteer at a charity, you can volunteer at a community event, or you can volunteer informally in your community. How do you find a place to volunteer? How do you find something to do that you’ll find fulfilling while meeting your needs?
Where do you begin?
Below are some articles we think will guide you towards a volunteer experience that is right for you.
Some curated articles just for you:
How do I know if an Organization is Taking New Volunteers?
When a volunteer-involving organization is looking for new volunteers, there are at least four ways to find out about it or to go about it. They will advertise or post volunteer opportunities, often known as “putting out a call for volunteers,” or you could contact them to make a general offer or a specific offer to volunteer with them, or you hear about it from others. [read full article]
When Can I Volunteer? I’m So Busy!
You really want to volunteer but are finding it challenging to figure out how to amongst your other commitments and competing priorities. Yes, this can be a challenge when you are blessed with a busy full life. We hear you. There are over 170,000 charitable and non-profits in Canada, so you have choices! Some first steps you can take: Make a list of your priorities and [read full article]
How to Find Age-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities
Finding a fulfilling volunteer position can take some time, just like seeking paid work does, but it will be well worth the effort to find volunteer opportunities where you can engage your time, talents and treasures! The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mahatma Gandhi Places and ideas to find age-friendly volunteer opportunities: Organizations you already know and [read full article]
Different Types of Volunteering
The type of volunteer roles that Canadians seek evolve during their lifetime with changing priorities and circumstances. Understanding and comparing the different types of volunteering and ways people volunteer can help you decide where you would like to put your energy, time and talents and what might be a good fit for you. Older people are often looking for a range of options for what fits [read full article]
Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer
As a volunteer, you have the responsibility to: Greet staff or your supervisor when you arrive, so they know you're there Fill in all paperwork and policy sign-offs as required (e.g., safety protocols) Inform your supervisor as soon as possible if you'll be late or absent or want some time off Be reliable, responsible, friendly, respectful and demonstrate integrity Ask any questions to clarify or get [read full article]
What to Expect from the Organization where you are a Volunteer
From the volunteer-involving organization, you should expect to: Feel welcomed Have a clear understanding and expectations of your role and responsibilities — found in a volunteer position description of your role, ask for one if you don't get one Have an orientation to the organization, their policies, and to your specific role Receive training(s) as needed to perform your role Know the organization's COVID protocols and [read full article]
Differences between Charities, Non-profits, Volunteer-run Organizations
What kinds of organizations can I volunteer with or offer my skills to? There are differences between charities, non-profit organizations, volunteer-run groups, and social enterprises and most, if not all, engage or involve volunteers. This is the good news! (There is no bad news.) For simplicity’s sake, we’ll call these four types of organizations “volunteer-involving organizations” as there is no particular agreed upon phrase to refer [read full article]
What are Volunteer Centres and How Do I Find out if My Community has One?
How Can I Find Out if My Community has a Volunteer Centre? Volunteer Centres: provide easy access to a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in your area foster and develop volunteerism in the community encourage people to volunteer are local and accessible connect people to their community raise awareness of the power of voluntary service recognize the contributions of volunteers help voluntary organizations, and other groups [read full article]
What to Expect from an Organization when I want to Volunteer
What Can I Expect as an Older Person Who Wants to Volunteer Volunteering often involves more than just offering or raising your hand to help. Charities and non-profit organizations take care in matching volunteers to opportunities and positions and ensuring a smooth process. This professional approach fulfils important risk management protocols, mandates and best practices and is intended to create a positive experience for all concerned. [read full article]
What to Ask an Organization Before Volunteering
What You Want and Need to Know from a Volunteer-involving Organization You may unexpectedly hear appeals for volunteers on the radio or see an advertisement or poster. Or you may intentionally search for volunteer roles in the newspaper or through a volunteer centre or online or through people you know. Or you may wish to directly approach a charity or non-profit and offer to volunteer with [read full article]
Not Sure Where to Begin – A Self-Assessment Questionnaire
You Want to Volunteer… But you are: Uncertain about what kind of volunteering you should do or want to do? Wondering how to match your skills, experience and passion with volunteering? Thinking about the practical things related to volunteering? We invite you to begin with our 5 Suggested Steps Self-Assessment: Step ONE Consider your reasons, your “why,” for volunteering (choose as many as you wish): I [read full article]
