Volunteering 101: Finding the Best Fit

Volunteering 101: Finding the Best Fit

(ARA) - A new survey shows that while a majority of American adults volunteer, a significant number of others are willing to serve -- but don't. Nearly two in three Americans (64 percent) said they had completed some form of volunteer work in 2006, but nearly nine in 10 (86 percent) said they were willing to volunteer -- a gap of 22 percent.

The December 2006 survey by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans suggests that many would-be volunteers could use a helping hand to step from "willing" to "serving."

"Americans genuinely want to help others but sometimes our actions don't follow our intentions," says Brad Hewitt, senior vice president for Thrivent Financial, and the person who oversees volunteer programs for the organization's nearly 3 million members. "If we're going to move potential volunteers from 'want to' to 'got to,' then the volunteer community needs to create opportunities that are flexible and easy to access."

Despite respondents' nearly universal willingness to volunteer, the Thrivent Financial survey revealed that most Americans find it easier to give money to support a charitable cause than to give their time. Fifty-three percent of respondents said money was easier to give, 30 percent said time was easier to give, and 14 percent said both were equally easy to give.

That's one reason Thrivent Financial offers options to help people support causes they care about. The organization's programs are locally driven and designed to make volunteering flexible.

"People are more likely to volunteer when they can do something they really care about," Hewitt notes. "Everybody wins when volunteers can roll up their sleeves, so to speak, and see tangible results right away."

Hewitt offers these tips for those willing to volunteer:

* Find your passion. Identify those needs or issues that touch your heart, emotions and will. Focus your volunteer service around these concerns, even though you get asked to help in many other areas.

* Identify what you need. Pinpoint what you hope to get out of your volunteer service (e.g., new experiences, skill development, camaraderie, networking opportunities, sense of accomplishment, etc.). If you've done 10 fund-raising walks already, you may want to try something else.

* See what's out there. Find out if an organization already exists that addresses your passion and needs. If not, you may have discovered a new opportunity.

* Assess your skills. Understand the skills you bring to an organization. Let your volunteer organization know about your strengths.

*Talk to others. Speak with others already involved in the organization. Explore what they do. Ask why they enjoy it. Find out about their average day.

* Begin slowly. Consider several short stints before making a longer-term commitment to an organization or need. This will give you the time and perspective you need to determine if you are, indeed, a good volunteer for your organization of choice.

Whether you commit to a volunteer organization for an hour or a lifetime, never forget that your volunteer service is making a difference.

"Giving your time and skills is the greatest gift that can be given," says Hewitt. "Never hesitate to use what you have and do what you can. You won't be disappointed."

For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent