There are so many nonprofits and charities accepting volunteers, that it can be hard to know if you are making the best choice for you. You may need to consider the possibilities and make a short list before you jump into anything without understanding their expectations and yours. Knowing what you want out of it needs to be relatively clear before you make a firm commitment to one company.

Do you have a particular charity in mind?

Think about what kind of issues appeal to you. If you like the thought of working for a charity that supports homelessness or women, chances are you can find it. Is there a particular charity you would like to work with that you are already familiar with? Perhaps there is a charity you have donated in the past that caught your eye?

What do you want to do?

Next, you need to consider what kind of work you will be doing for them. If you are taking on a part time position with a lot of responsibility such as a volunteer treasurer, then you will need to weigh it up more carefully as it can be a lot of commitment. If you are donating a few hours a week, then the risk of it working out is far less.

You need to consider whether you want to use your skills from any paying work you may already be involved in or whether you want to do something different altogether. Perhaps you can learn entirely new skills which may help you in other career choices in the future. Do you have a particular skill in mind already that you would like to learn? Is there a task you would prefer to avoid? If you don’t want to use a computer or do manual work, can you assist in some other area that would be beneficial to both parties?

Consider what you are good at and whether you want to work with the public. Even if you don’t have any particular IT or administration skills, there are still volunteer positions that involve a smiley face and a friendly voice. If the position requires learning a new skill, would you be willing to do a short training course?

How much time do you have to spare?

Are you looking for a regular volunteering gig or a one-off event? Or perhaps you would like to give to a charity during a fixed period of say 2-3 months. If you want something short term, there is no point taking on a position that is going to extend past the length of your commitment period. Be honest with yourself and your NFP of choice. Charities rely on their volunteers, and they need to know how much time you are willing to commit up front in realistic terms.

As long as your commitment is a good match for the need of the NFP, then it should work out well. You might even find that the charity could open more doors for you in the future. Take the time to understand their mission and what they represent, as it needs to match your needs as well.

Benefits of volunteering

If you are still uncertain about volunteering, consider these positives.

- You can meet new people.

- You can gain confidence.

- You can learn new skills.

- You can have fun

- You can help people.

- You can strengthen your relationship with the community.

Don’t feel compelled to sign on the dotted line with the first charity you meet. Shop around and see what is out there before you make a choice. Today’s options for volunteering are amazingly varied. You could be assisting at an event, working outdoors or writing blog posts. You could be working with teenagers or serving food. Not everyone is good at everything, so it might take some time before you find your feet or even your niche.

Most companies will ask questions and give you ample time to work out exactly what you expect to gain from your time with them. They may even schedule an interview and do a criminal or background check to gauge your level of suitability and interest.

Once you come up with a great charity you want to represent, you will find yourself looking forward to being able to help further their goals and assist others at the same time.