The 10 Fundamentals of Volunteering
At Software and Process Design, we've discovered that most goals can be achieved by breaking them down into essential steps, roughly 10 fundamental principles. We call these principles the 10 Fundamentals.
You can think of these Fundamentals as a roadmap for success. If you’re aiming to achieve something, these Fundamentals are like simple rules to follow, breaking down goals into actionable steps.
What makes it even more exciting is that we're actively developing tools to simplify this journey further. As you read through this guide, see how these Fundamentals, when combined with our tools, become your companion for reaching your goals.
In this guide, we break down the 10 fundamental principles of volunteering, from choosing an organization or cause that you’re passionate about and that fits your skills, to deciding what types of programs you can commit to.
We also dive into volunteer safety, getting the required certifications, and making the most out of the whole experience. By the end of this article, you’ll have the tools and knowledge you need to start volunteering.
Key Takeaways -
1. Choose an organization that speaks to you as an individual
2. Chose a role that fits your skills, and that you will enjoy doing
3. Make friends or bring friends
4. Decide what volunteering looks like to you
5. Practice safe volunteering
6. Check with your workplace for group volunteering opportunities
7. Meet your commitments
8. Represent the organization well
9. Obtain any necessary certifications
10. Make the most out of the experience
1. Choose an organization that speaks to you as an individual.
You could choose to volunteer at a local festival or event, an animal shelter or rescue organization, or Habitat for Humanity, as a few examples. Whatever you pick, choose something you’re passionate about so you’re more likely to stick with it.
If you feel strongly about something such as animals, homelessness, women’s rights, world poverty, or helping children, for example, choose an organization that supports one of those causes.
Soon, you’ll be able to find volunteering opportunities in your community using our innovative tools. Explore a list of all the options available in your community so you can find a cause that speaks to you as an individual.
When volunteering, you must enjoy what you are doing so you will want to continue doing it. Maybe you would enjoy cleaning up a vacant lot, planting a garden, or signing people up for a charity run.
When choosing a volunteer opportunity, be sure to research the organization’s mission statement, values, and opportunities to determine if it’s the right fit for your interests.
Soon, you’ll have access to a detailed directory with all this information available to you, including volunteering organizations in your community.
With our directory, you can browse through a list of non-profit organizations, view their mission statements, their available positions and opportunities, sign up for or donate to their cause, and more – all in one convenient place.
2. Choose a role that fits your skills, and that you will enjoy.
Do not choose a position where you’ll be outdoors for most of the time if you have severe allergies or if you do not like getting dirty, for example. If you’re afraid of animals, don’t volunteer at a shelter.
Instead, try offering to work a social event or organizing the sign-in of volunteers, for example. In a volunteer situation, there are often many jobs you can choose from, so choose a position you think you can handle.
Not everyone can lift heavy boxes or help seniors in and out of chairs, but others may be well suited for this position. Just because someone else can do it, doesn't mean everyone can.
If you’re not sure what position would be best for you, make a list of the things you enjoy, and the things you are good at so, you can share that knowledge with the volunteer coordinators that you talk with.
These people will be able to put you in a volunteer position that suits your skills.
If you can keep meticulous records or have hands-on abilities like carpentry or sewing, volunteer coordinators will be able to put you in a position where you can use your skills to help people.
A few important skills most volunteers should have includes:
Organization skills
The ability to delegate tasks effectively
Good communication skills
Cooperation/teamwork skills
Strong leadership abilities
The ability to see where help is needed and take action
Resourcefulness
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to make a detailed list of your skills, share it with volunteer coordinators, collaborate on the document, be assigned roles and responsibilities by volunteer coordinators, and more – all in one place.
3. Make friends or bring friends.
Volunteering does not have to be a solo thing; it can be a great opportunity to meet new people and make connections. Furthermore, collaboration often leads to success, so why not make the experience better with a few extra bodies?
Our upcoming tools will allow you to organize group volunteering events, assign roles and responsibilities to people, communicate with the group, share ideas, and track progress – all in one place.
If socializing is not for you, however, you can look for roles that are independent.
There are also “virtual volunteering” opportunities for those who are not able to travel, leave their home, or for those who have valuable tech skills to share.
You can also take your online volunteering worldwide with the ‘United Nations Volunteers.’ Even the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, has online volunteering opportunities.
For those who are fluent in languages, there's ‘Translators without Borders.’ If you’re planning on traveling abroad for your volunteer position, check out our blog post covering 10 tips for traveling and flying internationally.
Our upcoming tools will enable you to find, plan for, and better manage your volunteering activities – whether you’re doing them in person or virtually.
From time-tracking and staying organized to collaborating and getting your cause known to the world – do it all using our upcoming tools, whether you’re a newbie or a volunteering veteran.
4. Decide what volunteering looks like to you then work with the organization/role that best suits that vision.
Some people want a consistent schedule of volunteering after work every Thursday evening, for example. Others will volunteer at a festival where it is prep work most of the time, but very busy during the weekend of the event.
Some may want flexible volunteer opportunities where you can pick and choose positions based on your availability, while others may want no-commitment volunteering opportunities.
You may even want a volunteer opportunity suitable enough to do with your teenage child, helping them achieve their mandatory volunteer hours for school, for example.
Our upcoming tools will help you plan, schedule, and coordinate all your volunteering activities as soon as you find them.
Go straight from finding an organization or cause in the directory, to having their events and meet-ups scheduled directly into your Volunteering Workspace calendar.
This way, you can easily choose, coordinate, and attend all the volunteering opportunities that speak to you. Whatever your volunteering goals are, it’s important to ensure that your volunteering activities align with those goals.
You will be able to make a greater impact if you care about the work you’re doing. When passionate about a cause, you’re more likely to stick with it over the long term, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.
Passion can provide the motivation and resilience needed to persevere and overcome the challenges faced during volunteering.
It also drives effectiveness, which means that volunteers who are passionate about their cause tend to put more effort and creativity into their work.
In turn, this leads to better results and outcomes for the organization or community they’re serving. When volunteers genuinely care about their cause, they inspire others to get involved and make a difference.
Volunteers who aren’t passionate about the cause may lack enthusiasm and engagement in their work, resulting in poor performance. They are also more likely to experience burnout, exhausted by the demands of volunteering.
Finally, without passionate volunteers, it becomes challenging to sustain volunteer programs and initiatives. So, as you can see, the cause you’re volunteering for must speak to you as an individual.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to plan, find, and sign up for volunteering roles, positions, and opportunities that suit you.
By creating a ‘Volunteer Workspace’ that includes your goals, skills, and other helpful information, you can find, select, and attend opportunities that matter to you.
5. Do jobs that are safe.
You should never feel unsafe when volunteering. Contact your supervisor or trainer immediately if an injury occurs or if something just doesn’t seem right. Do not go beyond your training.
Let’s go over some safety tips for volunteering. For example, do not serve alcohol without a smart serve certification, and do not handle animals if you are afraid of them/don’t have the proper assistance.
Only partake in safe volunteering programs. You should always be trained on how to safely perform your volunteer tasks and provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Don’t perform any task until both you and your supervisor are sure you can do it safely. If you feel there is inadequate PPE, do not be afraid to speak up. It’s better to be prepared and cautious than to be willing and unsafe.
You should also be cautious of slips and falls since they are one of the top reasons why people are admitted to hospital emergency rooms and one of the most common ways people get injured at work.
When volunteering, be sure to watch out for wet, icy, or uneven terrain. Use the proper equipment, like a ladder, for example, when reaching for objects up high. Do not climb on shelves or stand on chairs.
Use the proper equipment, given that it’s been provided, and always call 911 in an emergency. Every job has hazards, even volunteering, but most hazards can be controlled if you know what might be dangerous in the first place.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to safely coordinate your volunteering activities. Schedule your volunteering around your prior commitments, so you’re sure you will be 100% alert and committed to the organization.
6. Check with your workplace to see if they participate in volunteering or team-building events where the company gets together for a good cause.
Volunteering with your workplace or a group of coworkers can be a great team-building activity.
Working towards a common goal outside of the office environment strengthens relationships and improves communication among coworkers.
The benefits of workplace volunteering can include boosted morale and job satisfaction since engaging in meaningful activities outside of work can create a positive work environment for employees.
Workplace volunteering also provides the opportunity to meet and connect with co-workers you would not normally interact with. You could meet people from different departments or organizations, for example, fostering new relationships and potential career opportunities.
This type of volunteering fosters the learning of new skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively. This is a valuable experience that can be applied to their careers. It’s worth checking to see if your workplace has a ‘Company Volunteer Day.’
Volunteering with coworkers can also increase employee engagement since employees who feel connected to their colleagues and organization are more likely to be motivated and committed to their work.
There are a ton of workplace volunteering ideas for you and your co-workers/managers to try. Check out “Group Volunteering” opportunities, like ‘Meals from the Heart’ by the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Toronto.
You can also browse volunteering opportunities for South Central Ontario and across Canada. Regardless of the region you live in, do a quick search online to find volunteering opportunities near you!
Soon, it will be easier to find and participate in local volunteering opportunities at your workplace – no more sifting through scattered information about organizations and causes on the internet.
With our upcoming tools, you’ll be able to organize an event, share it with others, assign roles to people, coordinate logistics, communicate and plan with each other, create checklists, and so much more – all in one place.
7. Meet your commitments.
When committing to a volunteer position, it’s better to turn a no into a yes than the opposite way around. Organizations can easily find a place for you last minute, but having volunteers who do not show up adds unnecessary stress.
Can you imagine what a community would be like without their volunteers? That’s why it’s important to make sure you have time for all your commitments before agreeing to additional ones (like volunteering commitments).
Learn how to say no when asked to volunteer if it’s just not feasible for you. There are countless types of volunteering opportunities, so ensure that you find one that fits your lifestyle and schedule.
You will not be helpful to the organization if you are unreliable, burnt out when you arrive, or just simply too overwhelmed to contribute to the organization both mentally and physically.
Instead, decide what you are willing and capable to give and commit to that. There are volunteer opportunities that can fit any time commitment, like virtual volunteering, for example.
Whatever commitment you decide to make to volunteering, use our upcoming tools to ensure they align with your skills, goals, and previous obligations.
Soon, you’ll be able to find, coordinate, and schedule volunteering commitments and information directly to your device from your Volunteer Workspace, so you can stay organized.
Using our tools, you’ll be able to access a detailed community directory with volunteering opportunities in your community.
8. Represent the organization well.
When volunteering, you represent the organization or cause. You may even be wearing their logo, so it’s important to be respectful of their cause and do nothing that could damage the reputation of the organization.
Often, the organization or cause you’re volunteering for follows a code of conduct or code of ethics. Volunteers need to practice good volunteer etiquette, be aware of these rules, and follow them diligently.
Volunteers are often seen as ambassadors of the organization they represent. Thus, when volunteers represent the organization well, they help build trust and credibility with stakeholders like beneficiaries, donors, partners, and the public.
Trust and credibility may lead to increased support in the form of donations, volunteer recruitment, and partnerships since people are more likely to support an organization they trust and perceive as making a positive impact.
Maintaining a positive reputation is essential for the long-term sustainability of the organization, so always follow the rules.
Be reliable, responsible, and respectful when volunteering for an organization. You are there to help drive the organization/cause forward, so don’t be the person holding them back.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to access helpful tips and resources on how to be a respectful and responsible volunteer, plus how to represent the organization well.
9. Obtain any necessary certifications.
Depending on the volunteering opportunity you choose to partake in, you may need CPR or first aid training, for example. You may also need a criminal record check or a vulnerable sector check.
You can apply for these in Ontario through the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) website. If you live in a different region, visit your local police station to determine how to obtain a criminal record check.
Criminal record checks often cost money; however, volunteer checks are often free. It’s important to determine the correct documentation you will need for the volunteering you’re looking to do. Ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.
You may need additional certification if you are volunteering to help kids learn how to swim, for example. In this case, you may need to show a lifeguard certification or proof that you can swim/teach others.
This may be the case for other volunteering positions where you are teaching or working with a vulnerable population. If you are a CERT (community emergency response team) volunteer, you will need to have special skills.
A CERT is a group of trained, certified volunteers who help their community in a time of disaster or crisis. To be a part of this volunteer group, you often have to attend mandatory training sessions to obtain the necessary skills.
CERT volunteers do things like post-disaster first aid and rescue, distribution of emergency supplies, sandbagging operations, debris management, disaster scene support, and other emergency duties as needed.
Also, if you are volunteering in another country, ensure that you have the proper visa documents or anything else you’ll need to make the travel abroad smoother.
Make sure that you have photocopies of these documents stored in a safe place during your trip (like in your carry-on, with your emergency contact at home, or with your supervisor).
You can also check with the organization or your supervisor to determine what training programs, classes, and other mandatory education/skills you may need for the position.
The more prepared you are, the better equipped you will be to help people. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions, get involved, and learn new things for the benefit of a good cause that speaks to your heart.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to get equipped for your next volunteer position.
Using the upcoming community directory, you’ll be able to find local police stations, training/certification programs, classes, volunteer opportunities, and supplies in specific communities.
10. Make the most of the experience.
Volunteering is an opportunity to make a positive difference in the world if you make the most of the experience. You can do so by:
Choosing volunteering opportunities that you’re passionate about, where you believe you can make a meaningful contribution.
Being flexible and open to new ideas so you can learn and develop new skills.
Setting clear goals on what you hope to achieve through your volunteer work. Setting clear goals will help you stay focused and motivated. Check out our blog post to learn more about how to set clear, smart goals.
Taking initiative and seeking out opportunities to contribute beyond your assigned tasks.
Building relationships with fellow volunteers, staff members, and community members.
Take time to reflect on your volunteer experiences and evaluate your progress toward your goals.
Celebrating your achievements, no matter how small.
Being resourceful, by leveraging our upcoming tools.
Hungry for more advice? Stay tuned for additional guides on how to achieve your goals using our solutions and keep in mind that soon, groundbreaking tools will turn these principles into actionable steps. You can also check out the 10Fundamentals YouTube channel for more helpful tips and informative video lessons.
Software and Process Design: A group of expert problem-solvers crafting software solutions that redefine. Learn more about the work we’re doing at softwareandprocessdesign.com.
