How do I get started volunteering?

Question

I want to start volunteering, but I don't know where to start.

My major in college is in accounting, so I'd love to help people with their finances. But I'd also love to help with other stuff, too. However, my biggest hurdles are that I can be very shy about just going up to someone and saying "Hi, I want to volunteer", and I'm going through a bout of depression due to some bad life circumstances. I think that getting out and volunteering can (hopefully) help me move past my depression and start putting my time on earth to good use.

Any suggestions?

If it helps, I live in northern Vermont, no where near a big city.

Answer 1

I started volunteering last year with the Salvation Army, and I'm telling you, it was a great decision. You may be nervous, but consider this: a lot of your local non-profits are nervous that they aren't going to have enough people/money to be able to accomplish anything they set out to do. And remember this is NOT like asking somebody out on a date. It's like the advertisments for the high APR credit cards, or the late-night auto loan commercials. YOU WILL NOT BE TURNED DOWN! Really, there's nothing to be nervous about. Tell them what you want to do, what you're good at, what you'd be WILLING to do, and how much time you can dedicate to doing it. Keep in mind, usually the people who have the greatest need, need the most basic things. They may not have a need for an accountant per se, but they might need to be shown how to do a monthly budget. I asked a guy on my caseload (happened to be a black guy, 28 years old) if he'd ever sat down and did a monthly budget, and he had no idea what I was talking about. He had never heard of it, and asked me, quote, "Is that some kind of white thing?" I promise, they'll have something for you, whether you're helping two hours a month, two hours a week, or two hours a day. And since I think you're in a fairly rural area, there's probably not a lot of formal structure (red tape, bureaucracy) to deal with. They'll probably give you a lot of freedom in how you can help. If you'll get started now, in a year, you'll actually wonder why you weren't volunteering years ago.

Answer 2

Check with your department head at college to see if they do free income tax services in the spring (we had a program called VITA).

Also, think about some things that you were involved in as a kid. Maybe 4H, Girl Scouts, church....... you can start little now and get more involved. Plus when you graduate and if you move, you can transfer towns in the organizations.

I work for an accounting firm that encourages volunteering. We even have one day a year that as a firm we go out into the community.

PS - I understand where you are coming from. You sound to be having similar experiences as me. If you ever want another accountant to talk to, just contact me. Good luck!!

Answer 3

1. watch Joel Osteen on tv for your depression.
2. usually the newspaper has a column of "opportunities
for volunteers". pick out one you think sounds like
you'd like, and pick up the phone.
3. When you do something for others, you tend to
\get the emphasis off yourself, and the depression
will leave you. You'll feel good about yourself.
4. Sometimes schools need volunteers to read to
children. If that sounds like fun, call and offer your
services. Hospitals use volunteers. Meals for the
poor use volunteers. There's no end to the needs.
5. Do it.

Answer 4

Do you want to work with people, or behind the scenes. NPOs (non profit organizations) have to jump through a lot of financial hoops to get grants, and funds to stay running. If there is any organization near you that is up for a grant, ask if you can help and learn how to do it. Once you have negotiated the mine field you are gold to any organization. You can keep a dream alive, for the clients served. Literally.

Check it out, and good luck.

There are a lot of good organizations in Vermont, and New Hampshire. Find a phone book.

Answer 5

Surely you've heard of VISTA, it's a tax thing that students are encouraged to do at tax time, set up by accounting teachers.. it's for those who have a hard time paying to have their taxes done in today's world..
Otherwise, whatever you are good at, ie, accounting, reading, etc, you can go to your local adult education center and talk to the supervisor there. I volunteer to tutor adults for adult literacy, twice a week, two hours a day. Give it a shot, or, ask at your church.
By the way, I live in a town which has about 5000 people.. sooo, I know about small towns.. :)

Answer 6

The womans' shelter is a good place to start. They always need help in all kinds of capacities. Depression is something women who go to a womans' shelter know all to well. Maybe listening to them, will help you not to dwell on you current situation. I was very shy about asking to volunteer, but they were so glad I was there to help they put me to work sorting out donated clothing and cleaning out a closet ( I have great organization skills).
Good Luck!

Answer 7

I suggest u go to handsongulfcoast.org i just returned from volunteering there for 2 months and it was an extremely valuable and humbling experience. That is where people need alot of help. Youll be amazed at the amount of devestation that still remains.

Answer 8

Try helping out at your local church. Check your local paper for volunteer opportuinities. The best way to get started is to just jump in feet first. Good luck.

Answer 9

You can call a couple accounting firms...let them know that you are interested in getting into the accounting field, and ask them if they need any volunteers.......im pretty sure they will jump all over it

Answer 10

Call your local hospital , or a senior center, they are always in need of volunteers