Are you looking to get involved in your community but are not quite sure where to start? Don’t worry. We know that there are countless organizations looking for people to donate their time, and finding volunteer opportunities that match your interest and availability can be difficult. The good news is that is does not have to be. Here are our five tips for finding your volunteering fit:
1. Consider Your Interests and Goals
One of the first things you should do when looking for volunteer opportunities is to think about what you want to get out of the experience. Are you looking to gain experience, develop professional skills, or do you simply want to make a difference in your community? Once you can identify the reason behind your volunteerism, consider if any of your personal interests or goals can make the experience more enjoyable. For example, if your health is a priority to you, consider helping a health-oriented organization or community fitness class.
2. Match Your Skills
A great way to narrow down your options is to consider the skills you have and how they can help you during your volunteer experience. Some organizations may even be looking for volunteers with experience using certain equipment such as computers or machinery or volunteers with certain skills. Are there any that you specifically want to use or develop? If so, use them to guide your search.
3. Check Your Availability
Different volunteer opportunities have different schedules and levels of commitment, so it is important to find one that right for you. Are you looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity or a weekly recurrence? Are you available during the week or on weekends only? By knowing how much time you are willing to give back and which days will work best for you, you can balance your schedule and avoid overcommitting yourself. If you are not entirely sure, start small. It will be easier to add more volunteer hours than commit to an overwhelming schedule.
4. Choose a Cause that is Important to You
Finding volunteer opportunities for a cause that you are passionate about can make all the difference. If the organization you choose does not match your values, you will not have a positive experience, so take some time to find one that does. Do you want to help a local cause or add to a national effort? Ultimately, you should follow your heart and do what feels right to you. Regardless of which organization you choose, you will make a difference in the lives of others.
5. Prepare for an Interview
Keep in mind that you may be asked to fill out an application or come in for an interview. This process helps organizations and new volunteers ensure it’s a good fit for everyone, and they may need to make sure you have certain skills or interests for the volunteer position. Take it as an opportunity to ask them any questions you may have about the organization or the work you will be doing. If you will be working with children or other at-risk populations, also know it is not uncommon to be asked to complete a background check for the safety of everyone involved.
Looking For Volunteer Work? Consider EA!
At EA, we strive to ensure our services are available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. To do this, we rely on the support of our community, and are always looking for volunteers who want to make a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of others. With a variety of volunteer opportunities, we have options for all interests and professional skill levels. These options include:
- Explorer/Class 1: For high school and undergraduate students or anyone else looking to get involved and make an impact, our Explorer level may be the volunteer opportunity for you. This class of volunteers gets to learn more about the healthcare industry through hands on experience helping with office projects, special events, and observing the many aspects of how we help our clients live full and healthy lives.
- Program Support/Class 2: For those who are more interested in supporting our business and program operations, our Program Support class may be more your speed. Here you will join the EA team and assist with business operations, group fitness, health programs, therapy sessions, or adaptive sports.
- Professional/Class 3: For the actively licensed healthcare providers, certified fitness and wellness professionals, and licensed therapy providers looking to give back to their community, this class may be the ideal opportunity to do so while using the skills of your profession. At this level, you will join the therapeutic health team to provide health and wellness services alongside our staff.
- Special Events & Committees: For those dedicated to supporting the EA mission on either a short or long-term basis, our Special Events & Committees may be your calling. Though these opportunities don’t involve directly supporting EA clients, you can help with the planning and managing special events and fundraising, join one of our various committees, or even apply to the EA Board of Directors.
Thanks to the support of these incredible volunteers and our generous donors, we are able to provide our health and post rehab services to everyone in need regardless of ability to pay. In 2022 alone, we had 136 volunteers provide 1,072 hours of service care, helping countless individuals to reach their health and wellness goals. We could not be more grateful for everyone who helped us make this possible.
We understand how rewarding it is to volunteer in your community, and how important finding volunteer opportunities that fit your interest and availability is to meaningful volunteer work. During your search for the right fit, we hope you consider EA. To learn more about our volunteer opportunities or sign up today, visit our website or give us a call at 507-259-7570. And, for all those who have, are, or plan to volunteer, thank you.