Volunteer Orientation: Be a Great Volunteer Anywhere

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Volunteer Orientation Be a Great Volunteer
Anywhere
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• Never doubt that a small group of committed
  citizens can change the world for, indeed, that
  is the only thing that ever has.Margaret Mead

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So You Want to Volunteer!

• How you start well?
• How can you be a great volunteer?
• How do you relate cross-culturally?

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Summary
1. Start Well
2. Consider Your Approach
3. Cross-Cultural Volunteering
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Step 1Start Well
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The Beginning

• So youve decided to start volunteering
  somewhere. What do you do now?
• Get training.
• Ask your supervisor questions.
• Care about relationships.

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Training

• There may or may not be a formal orientation and
  training.
• If there is no orientation, dont be afraid to
  ask questions. Try to arrange a time when you can
  talk with your supervisor.
• It will make a difference if you understand how
  your efforts fit into the mission of the overall
  agency or organization. 

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Training

• Train yourself.
• See our list of recommended resources (Appendix).
• Find out if the organization requires / suggests
  formal training.
• If there is no formal training, ask your
  supervisor for suggested materials and trainings.

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Things to Discuss With Your Supervisor

• Find out who is your supervisor / go-to person.
• If possible establish a regular schedule for
  volunteering regular days and times.
• Find out what is expected of you talk about
  your job description and other expectations.
• Establish who you should go to for help.
• Ask what you should do if youll be late.
• What is the time period Im committing for?
• At what point can I decide to recommit or
  transition out?

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Things to Discuss With Your Supervisor

• Make sure to trade contact information.
• Ask about rules especially those involving how
  to interact with other staff and those youre
  serving.
• Ask what makes a good volunteer.
• Ask about appropriate clothing.

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Things to Discuss With Your Supervisor

• Ask about sign in/ time tracking procedures.
• Find out who you should talk to when you arrive
  and leave.
• Find out if there are any meetings or special
  events that you should attend.
• Read any available applicable personnel policies
  or volunteer rules.

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Other Tips

• Establish a regular schedule for volunteering.
• If you will be late or absent, call ahead.
• Do you what you said you would do.
• People are counting on you!
• Be clear on what is your responsibility.
• If you need training or have questions, ask.
• Many norms or rules in the organizational culture
  will be unstated. When in doubt, ask.

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Care about relationships

• Youll probably be interacting with other staff,
  volunteers, and participants.
• Care for and respect those around you
• Be ready to learn from others. Dont start off
  trying to change things.
• Find out how people address each other (first
  names, Sis / Bro, Pastor, Mr./Ms.). Dont assume.
  
• Be cooperative. Dont try to do things your own
  way.

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Outside your volunteering

• Spread the word about the organization and its
  mission. Be a good ambassador. This will be one
  of the best ways you can support!
• Consider donating financially - Donations of
  inkind items and services may also be
  appreciated. 

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Step 2Consider Your Approach
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Approach
FAT

• Whatever you do, stay
• Faithful.
• Available.
• Teachable.

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Faithful

• Keep your commitments.
• Dont think of yourself as just a volunteer.
  People are depending on you!
• If you need to miss a session or will be late,
  call.

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Faithful

• Know Your Limitations.
• Over-commitment often leads to bailing out or
  cancellations.
• Try not to let yourself get burnt out.
• Learn to say no when you are doing too much or
  feeling resentful.

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Available

• To do whats needed.
• Expect to sacrifice.

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Teachable

• Dont assume that you know what people (staff,
  clients, the community) need . Ask!
• Dont assume that you know the best way to be
  helpful. Ask!
• Be flexible.
• Remember you are a volunteer and may not be in a
  position to make big changes.

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Finish Well

• When the time for volunteering is ending, make
  sure that its clear to everyone involved when
  your last time volunteering will be.
• Celebrate all that has been accomplished while
  youve volunteered!

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Step 3Cross-Cultural Volunteering
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• Be open-minded. One of the really great things
  about being a volunteer is the chance to learn
  and experience new things. Keep your mind open to
  new possibilities, and youll probably grow as a
  person.
• Be respectful. Always remember to show respect
  for other people and other cultures. Keep in mind
  that your way of thinking or living is not the
  only way there is.

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Common Cross-Cultural Issues

• Need for order vs. Spontaneity
• Efficiency vs. Relational
• Egalitarianism vs. Respect for authority
• Reserved/indirect vs. Intense directness
• Introverted vs. Extroverted
• Resources vs. Underresourced
• Trauma is avoided vs. Trauma is common

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Find Cross-Cultural Mentors

• Advantages of mentors from your cultural
  background
• This person can be a bridge to the culture for
  you.
• Get advice on relating to the culture from a
  familiar perspective.
• Bring them frustrations or questions that you
  have.
• Advantages of mentors from the culture youre
  serving
• Get advice on relating to the culture from an
  insiders perspective.
• Bring them questions that you have.
• Both of these are necessary.

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Last Thoughts

• Be enthusiastic. Have fun!
• Put relationships first.
• Remember why youre volunteering.

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Benefits of Volunteering

• Make a positive difference in your community.
• Learn new skills.
• Improve your health.
• Create more fun in your life.
• Meet people with similar interests.
• Share your skills and life experiences.
• Meet people you wouldnt have otherwise.
• In one survey 28 of unemployed volunteers (and
  16 of employed volunteers) said that their
  volunteering had helped them obtain a job in the
  past (www.givingandvolunteering.ca/pdf/factsheets/
  Benefits_of_Volunteering.pdf ).

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Summary

• Start with training and clear communication.
• Stay FAT.
• Consider cross-cultural volunteering.
• Put relationships first.

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Appendix Recommended Books

• Peoples History of the United States Howard Zinn
• Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in
  the Cafeteria? Beverly Daniel Tatum
• Restoring At-Risk Communities John Perkins

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Appendix Urbanministry.org

• UrbanMinistry.org contains a wealth of
  information.
• Click here for talks on Youth ministry.
• Click here for Poverty 101.
• Click here for Tech in Urban Ministry 101.
• Go to www.urbanministry.org for more.
• For a faith-free equivalent to this site, go to
  www.urbanresource.net.