Volunteering For A Charity Organization
“Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go. “.
Mother Teresa
Volunteering for a charitable organization is something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. No matter if you have ample time or just a few hours, volunteering gives you an opportunity to connect with that underprivileged lot in your community.
You can find a charitable organization that interests you the most and get associated to the cause. Besides this, there are so many non profit organizations that organize auctions to raise money from time to time. Make sure you join a cause that interests you because the more interest you take, the better volunteer you become.
For many people, volunteering for a charitable or philanthropic organization may appear at first sight a daunting leap into the unknown. A decision which may raise more questions than answers, and one not taken lightly.
However, there are simple steps you can take to make sure your experience (and that of the body with whom you work) is a happy and beneficial one.
The quickest and easiest way to conduct this self-assessment of your motivations for such work is through asking yourself some or all of the following questions, and they are as follows:
- Question 1) What can I offer the Charity? Take a pen and paper, sit down, and write down a list of your strengths and weaknesses. You’ll often be surprised by what comes out.
Then, once you’ve finished this task, show the list to your most trusted friend or relative, and ask for their input: not on whether your chosen Charity is the best choice, but on the contents of your self-assessment sheet.
Their honest feedback may provide valuable guidance, and help point you in the right direction as regards charitable work. It may also steer you clear of a potentially disastrous decision… - Question 2) What do I like doing? It’s obvious really (or so it might seem), but in order to give of your best in your chosen Charity, you need to ask yourself what you enjoy. After all, a happy worker is almost always more productive than a miserable one…
For example, if you have good people skills, then some sort of home help or visiting service for the Elderly in your neighborhood could work well. On the other hand, if you’re good with your hands and a talented builder, then development work or construction might be best. - Question 3) How do I get started? Once you’ve completed questions 1 and 2, it’s time to start looking for charities in your field of interest. These could be online (and located by simply typing their name or keywords into Google), The Yellow Pages, or the local and national news media. When you find your ideal charity, check carefully to see whether you need any qualifications (such as an up to date driver’s license), the nature of the work to be undertaken, or if the work involves any physical labor or unusual work hours. When all three questions have been answered to your satisfaction, then you’re ready to play your part in contributing to your new charity.