DEFINE YOUR SPECIFIC ROLE
One can contribute to a cause or organization in many different ways. This section is for identifying which specific role/s you’re potentially interested in.
If you've already thought deeply about suitable role/s, you can skip this part and proceed to finding organizations or causes, or to evaluating opportunities.
Note that possibly some organizations aren’t currently (or generally) looking for someone to fulfill the role you’re interested in. Sometimes you may need to actively offer your service to an organization, or apply some flexibility in terms of organization or role.
Some considerations for selecting your specific role:
Existing skills and knowledge - if you have specific skills, certifications or strengths, it’s potentially highly effective to use them when volunteering, especially if your skills/training are unique, or if you believe you can perform better than the average person would at that position.
Skill development - you can use volunteering to develop skills that you’re interested in. You can also use this opportunity to gain skills that could help with your career development, and potentially increase your career impact.
Personal interest - you could use the volunteering to work in a role you find exciting and interesting. Doing something you enjoy can often result in great outcomes.
Give it a try
At this point, try to think of a few roles that are related to your existing skills or interests, and that you think could be interesting to explore as part of your volunteering.
Document them in the first column of the table in the “Roles” tab. No need to worry about the other columns for now.
Various ways to contribute
We want to present some ideas for roles that are greatly needed in many organizations. Some roles require specific skills, some require working with specific systems and infrastructures, and others can go well with various backgrounds and interests.
If you already decided which role/s you want to pursue, you can skip this list.
If you find roles you consider as options, add them to the table in the “Roles” tab. No need to worry about the other columns for now.
Social Media Management: Many organizations rely on social media to promote their work and engage with supporters. Volunteers can help by managing social media accounts, creating content (for example a newsletter), and responding to comments and messages.
Creating a no-code Website: Many organizations rely on their websites to communicate their mission and work to their audience. Volunteers can use various platforms, such as Wix, SquareSpace and WordPress, to create fully functional websites without using code.
Volunteer Coordination: Many organizations rely on volunteers to support their work. Volunteers can assist with volunteer recruitment, training, and management, helping to ensure that the organization has the support it needs to achieve its goals.
Automation: Automation can help organizations to streamline their processes and reduce manual labor. Volunteers can help by setting up and configuring automation tools, and encourage their usage. A volunteer can explore the organization’s pain points, and find platforms or automated solutions to assist solving them.
Event Planning: Volunteers can help plan and organize events, such as conferences, workshops, or fundraising events. This can include tasks such as coordinating logistics, managing attendees, and promoting the event.
Data Entry and Analysis: Non-profit organizations often collect large amounts of data on their work and impact. Volunteers can assist with data entry and analysis, helping to ensure that the organization has accurate and up-to-date information to inform its work.
Fundraising: One of the most crucial tasks for any non-profit organization is fundraising. Volunteers can help by organizing fundraising events, reaching out to potential donors, or developing fundraising campaigns.
SEO strategy: Organizations can use tools to improve their “Search Engine Optimization”, to increase their website’s visibility and their organic website traffic. Note, Google gives advertising grants to charities meeting specific requirements.
Marketing: Effective marketing infrastructure can help organizations promote their work and engage with their audience. Volunteers can assist with setting up and managing email campaigns, developing and implementing social media strategies, and creating marketing materials such as flyers and brochures.
CRM Platforms: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms are essential tools for many organizations, helping them manage their interactions with donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Volunteers can set up and configure CRM systems, and provide support for staff and volunteers using the platform.
Research: Volunteers can assist with research on various topics related to the organization's work, such as best practices in the field, potential partners, or new funding opportunities.
Outreach: Volunteers can help organizations by reaching out to the community, spreading awareness about the organization's work, and encouraging individuals to get involved, using methods such as emails, newsletters, phone calls or social media.
Notes:
You don’t necessarily need a formal “role”. Sometimes organizations can benefit a lot from members that are involved in discussions, attend meetups, and are available to help in various ad-hoc tasks. This depends on your character and preferences.
Some ideas suggested here are more time consuming than others. Attempt to pursue a role that matches your time constraints.