Is Volunteering for You?

Directions: Answer the following questions about volunteering to help you identify potential opportunities that meet your needs. Think about what would make a good volunteer experience for you. Your time is valuable, and you have skills that could be beneficial to a non-profit organization.

1.      Circle the issues you feel passionate about.

Animal welfare                                  Health and Wellness        Education

Human and Social Services           Education                             Public Policy

Community Improvement             Science & Technology      Arts and Culture

Youth Development                        Social Justice                       Religion

Historical Preservation                   Sports & Recreation         Philanthropy

Economic Development                 Disability Services             Environment

Working with Older Adults

What non-profit organizations share these passions?

2.      What is your primary motivation for volunteering?

a. I want to do something meaningful that helps others.

b. I need to keep busy.

c. I would enjoy the social interaction with other volunteers.

d. I have a passion for a particular cause.

e. I have skills that could be useful for a non-profit organization.    

3.      What are you expecting from a volunteer opportunity? Circle all that apply.

a.      I expect that the non-profit organization will respect my skills.

b.      I expect that there will be flexibility in the schedule.

c.       I expect that I will do meaningful work.

d.      I expect that the non-profit organization will be grateful for my contributions.

e.      I expect that I will feel good about volunteering.

4.       What are your concerns about volunteering? Circle all that apply.

a.      I am concerned about what the non-profit will ask me to do.

b.      I am concerned that I will not fit in with the other volunteers.

c.       I am concerned that volunteering will create stress.

d.      I am concerned that volunteering will create too much structure.

5.      Did you volunteer while you were working? List the places where you have volunteered previously. What did you like and dislike about these experiences?

6.      Talk to a friend or two about where they volunteer and why. Are there organizations   you’d be interested in as well?

7.      Are there any restrictions on your volunteer activities? Circle all that apply.

a.      I have physical limitations.

b.      Volunteer activities must fit around my other activities.

c.       I can volunteer only on certain days or times.

d.      I am interested in volunteering close to my home.

e.      I am interested in volunteering for one-time events only.

f.        I am interested in volunteering for an organization where my friends volunteer.

g.       I do not want any volunteer activity that would cause me stress

8.      What would prevent you from volunteering? Circle all that apply.

a.      Health issues make it difficult for me to volunteer.

b.      I would have difficulty getting to and from volunteer opportunities.

c.       I don’t want to feel obligated to show up.

d.      I am not interested in doing menial tasks.

e.      I don’t feel that volunteers are appreciated.

f.        I feel sympathy in some volunteer situations, but they would also cause me stress

9.      What would make a satisfying volunteer experience? Circle all that apply.

a.      I would be making a meaningful contribution.

b.      My efforts would be appreciated.  

c.       I would feel that I had time to do other activities.

d.      I would look forward to volunteering.

e.      I would like to make friends through volunteering.

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