Doing a charity work is a rewarding experience you can try. It is extending help and support to the needy. It is a difference you can make within your community or outside the country. It is basically offering what you can provide and do to others. At the end of the day, it is about service to humankind, the environment, or both.
You expect to do something good and for a cause without getting in return but “thank you” and “well done”. It is not a job where you have to give time and effort, and then get paid in the end. But if you are really interested and eager to do a charity work, here are some things to keep in mind before you volunteer.
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1. Determine the Reason or Purpose of Volunteering
First of all, think hard why you want to volunteer. Are you really determined and passionate to do this? You need to point out reasons why you feel like doing some charity work. This way you can identify your goals or objectives, which you are going to focus on all throughout this endeavor.
2. Know How Much Time You Can Offer
This may not be a job but it is similar in terms of tasks. It means you have to give your time. You need to know just how much you can offer in terms of time. Do you have enough time to do it during weekdays or weekends only? Is it something you can do for a few days in a week only or some days within a month?
For starters, it is best that you start small. See how many hours in a day you can do to volunteer. You may think than an hour or two is enough or not. Plus, you have to get used to it first as you do not want to give up easy or that quick.
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3. Pick an Organization You are Comfortable With
There are different factors to think about when choosing an organization where you can volunteer. It can be based on your personal interest and passion, such as children, animals, literacy, food, or travel. It may be also due to your skills or profession, such as being a nurse, doing crafts, or interior designing. Remember there are a variety of things to do in a charity work. Some do the distribution of foods, while others build houses. You just simply pick one or more among the things you are good at and most interested in.
4. Check Available Organization in Your Community
Whether local or international, see if there is any organization that accepts volunteers in your own area. You can look up online for a list of nearest charity organizations and groups. This is how you can find out if there are any that matches to your criteria. You may be more interested in helping animals and you find an organization in which the advocacy is about rescuing dogs. It is more advisable that you start within your community before you consider going abroad.
5. Research about the Organization
Let’s assume that you have found an organization that suits well to your interest. Before you offer yourself and join the group, it is best that you gather more information as to what the organization is actually doing. Find out the objectives, the people in charge, the targets in terms of subject and locations, the history, and other important details. You may also need to know the necessary requirements to be able to volunteer. Some organizations are strict and have the standard procedure in getting volunteers. They do not merely just accept volunteers in an instant or on spot.
Nevertheless, the organization may have a website that you can browse, or a phone number that you can call for inquiries. The bottom line is that you need to know as much as you can so you have an idea of what to expect.
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6. Introduce Yourself
The initial step toward doing a volunteer job for charity is to present yourself. Once you are convinced that the organization is somewhat you feel like you belong to, take time to visit the office. Yes, you need to go in person and meet anyone who is in charge. You basically inform them that you are offering yourself to do some charity work. You will be interviewed and given forms you can fill. No matter how this works, it is best that you provide what you can do and offer. If you meet the criteria they need, you’d be given tasks that match your skills, interests, and experience.
7. Do Your Assigned Tasks
Whatever role given to you for the charity work, you need to accept and embrace it. It may be not among the list of things you expect to do, but you are welcomed so you must still be grateful about it. You should not complain or demand to do other things. Just do what you can and give your best. Who knows, they may assign you to something more interesting and enjoyable. This is just the beginning by the way. So, have patience and just do work. Besides, you present to volunteer yourself, so there must be no complaints at all. Just remember that you are doing something for a cause, and not for yourself.
8. Have Fun
The most important to bear in mind is to enjoy this charity work. The more you love what you are doing the more chances you do better for others. Even though it can be daunting and stressful, just focus on your goal, which is to be able to extend your hands and give help. With differences, it can be really hard at times with how you interact with other people, do tasks, and deal with bossy or bad management. But if you are optimistic and passionate, these obstacles should not make you quit.
It is an interesting and enjoyable activity to join a volunteer for charity work. You will feel good at the end of the day as you are able to contribute in making others smile, feel happy, and loved. The things you can do for something like this is priceless that you can cherish your whole life.
