Volunteering is fun, but you’ve got to be prepared. Informed volunteers are the best volunteers. There are three basic steps to becoming an awesome volunteer and making your volunteer experience as memorable as possible. Start reading these helpful hints to get started on developing your volunteer action plan!

1. Volunteering 101: Discover the basics of volunteering beginning with what exactly a nonprofit is, the benefits of volunteering, what you can expect as a volunteer and what you can expect from the agencies you work with.

• What is a nonprofit and why do they need volunteers?

• Volunteers: Who are they?

• Benefits of volunteering.

• How you can become a  successful volunteer.

• What you can expect from agencies.

• What agencies can expect from you.

2. The 5 W's of Volunteering: The possibilities of volunteering are endless. To narrow you search, begin by asking yourself the following questions. Once you've got these answers, you'll be on your way to finding a great volunteer position!

• What are the needs in your community?

• Who or what do you want to help?

• What can you do?

• Where do you want to volunteer?

• When do you want to volunteer?

3. Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteering: Do you know what is expected of you as a volunteer and what you can expect from the agencies you volunteer with? Find out be reading about your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer. 

• The Volunteer's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

4. Ready... Set ... Serve!: Search our online database filled with hundreds of volunteer opportunities. 

"If we don't get out there today and get a feel for what we will be facing tomorrow and learn how to grasp and apply the resources that our communities have to offer, then we are going to hit a dead end. We have to reach into our communities and accomplish goals today so that we can form a better tomorrow. 

The future is in our hands."

~ Darnna Banks

"Student Volunteer of the Year"

2003 - 2004 Fall Summit