Volunteering builds on the strength of our community by adding your effort and skills to the efforts and skills of others. Together we are more than we can be alone. This is seen every day across our great nation in the hundreds of hours people give. Small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on the world around you and giving your time is probably the most valuable of these small acts. Volunteering is also a great way for you to learn new skills, meet new people, and find strengths you didn’t know you had.

What does a volunteer look like?

The answer is a complicated one; you see volunteers don’t have a specific look. Volunteers are church goers and atheists; male and female; old, young and in-between. They come from every financial background, ethnicity, nationality, and education level. There is no one “volunteer” type. Rather, volunteers are individuals that enjoy giving, doing, sharing, learning, growing, working, and impacting their community and world in a positive way.

Though volunteering is usually a very enjoyable experience, often filled with play and fun, it is important to understand that one must follow important guidelines while completing tasks. Below are some suggested tips to follow when volunteering:

• Be prepared! Make sure you know ahead of time what you are expected to bring, what “appropriate” attire is and where and what time you need to check-in.
  
• Ask questions. When looking into volunteer opportunities, ask questions. This not only shows the agency you are interested, but also invested in the experience.
  
• Be honest with yourself. There’s no joy for anyone in having no-shows, so make sure you don’t over-commit and always double check your availability.
  
• Bring the excitement! No one benefits from an unhappy volunteer. Do some research, ask previous volunteers, and make inquires. There are numerous ways and places to volunteer, make sure you find the right fit for you.