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Anyone volunteer?
- Thread starter mimico_polak
- Start date
I'd just like to point out that this thread is dang heartwarming.
Staying on topic, you can keep small care packages on you when you walk/drive around. Peanut-free granola bars, hand/foot warmers, unisex gloves, small first-aid kits, can help a random person in need. You can also volunteer at the Daily Bread food bank, general labor in the warehouse.The first time I volunteered there, they had a enormous bin of expired jellybeans that was donated to them. I can't put the size of the thing into words but you could have pulled a Scrooge McDuck and swam in it.
The key is consistency, I think... starting small or with one thing, but keeping at it for as long as you can. It'll do more good and you'll derive more purpose from it.
Staying on topic, you can keep small care packages on you when you walk/drive around. Peanut-free granola bars, hand/foot warmers, unisex gloves, small first-aid kits, can help a random person in need. You can also volunteer at the Daily Bread food bank, general labor in the warehouse.The first time I volunteered there, they had a enormous bin of expired jellybeans that was donated to them. I can't put the size of the thing into words but you could have pulled a Scrooge McDuck and swam in it.
The key is consistency, I think... starting small or with one thing, but keeping at it for as long as you can. It'll do more good and you'll derive more purpose from it.
I volunteered with the Distress Call Center and coached numerous kids sports for years.
One of the most rewarding was driving for Meals on Wheels for 3 years where I met so many great people. A 2 hour route would end up taking much of the day because people would be less interested in receiving the food than they would for the drop in company so I would sit and visit with people and hear such great stories. Seeing their face light up was priceless.
One of the most rewarding was driving for Meals on Wheels for 3 years where I met so many great people. A 2 hour route would end up taking much of the day because people would be less interested in receiving the food than they would for the drop in company so I would sit and visit with people and hear such great stories. Seeing their face light up was priceless.
I did scouts for many years when my son was involved and really enjoyed it . It REALLY depends on the group you get involved with , we were lucky and ours was lead by a very active camper / outdoor chef / hiker.
I volunteer at a sailing school and have sat on a non profit board of directors in three capacities, three times .
I was chairman of a board of managers for a Presbyterian church , before I figured out that role and those folks were not for me , you can’t reason business decisions with a group that believes ‘ everything will be looked after’ .
I did coach some kids sports , soccer and baseball . Teams are always looking for help .
A lot of my volunteering has been self serving to a degree , things my kids were involved in and things I really liked . But I’m not going to do things well if I don’t enjoy them , and I like to be all in.
Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com
I volunteer at a sailing school and have sat on a non profit board of directors in three capacities, three times .
I was chairman of a board of managers for a Presbyterian church , before I figured out that role and those folks were not for me , you can’t reason business decisions with a group that believes ‘ everything will be looked after’ .
I did coach some kids sports , soccer and baseball . Teams are always looking for help .
A lot of my volunteering has been self serving to a degree , things my kids were involved in and things I really liked . But I’m not going to do things well if I don’t enjoy them , and I like to be all in.
Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com
Don't be discouraged.
I volunteered hoping it would lead to employment, it did not. But later the references, job advice, work experience and being in touch with others in various industries has helped me a ton ^_^
What are you looking to do?
One of the things that has made volunteering harder is the need for police background checks for almost everything, multi layer checks and insurance costs to cover volunteers , and signing waivers.
Not saying ANY of that is wrong, in fact its needed. However is does make even ligitimate people step back from minor sport and things like Guides and Scouting and youth activity.
FWIW, we had an "situation" involving a member at our boat club come out , newer member working with youth and a report came out about an incident at his former club. Nothing happened at our club and he had ALL the background checks. It just means he hasnt been caught yet...
In youth volunteering we always had the two deep rule , never alone with a kid unless its your own, ever. Not even walking into an equipement shed. Never have an opportunity for anything to be percieved incorrectly .
Not saying ANY of that is wrong, in fact its needed. However is does make even ligitimate people step back from minor sport and things like Guides and Scouting and youth activity.
FWIW, we had an "situation" involving a member at our boat club come out , newer member working with youth and a report came out about an incident at his former club. Nothing happened at our club and he had ALL the background checks. It just means he hasnt been caught yet...
In youth volunteering we always had the two deep rule , never alone with a kid unless its your own, ever. Not even walking into an equipement shed. Never have an opportunity for anything to be percieved incorrectly .
I worked for HFH at their ReStores. They're always looking for help and any skill level is appreciated.
I now volunteer there one day a week.
EDIT: I for got Beavers. Became a Beaver leader/volunteer when there were not enough volunteers for my son to join.
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GIS, engineering technologist type gig
Mad Mike
Well-known member
There are two driving factors to volunteering: For personal gain, and giving back to the community.
Personal gain volunteering is something done to advance a career. Common for people trying to secure employment as teachers, firefighters, condo board members, and aspiring Jr. execs in larger companies; and refs/umps looking for extra income. It's also used by students looking for an advantage when applying to competitive schools. This type of volunteering doesn't always bring a lot of fulfillment, it's more like a mundane job community service work - do your time, collect your sticker.
Sometimes this attracts people who have ulterior motives. For example, you might get a grifter volunteering on a fundraising arrangement for a sports club; a condo board member with a control fetish; or a pedo looking for access to kids.
Altruistic Volunteering is a little different, it's more of what we think of as volunteering where there the "what's in it for me" is just making one feel good. These are the Scoutmasters, team coaches, church committees, food banks, soup kitchens; Sally Ann; Jr Achievement; Big Bros/Sis etc.
This type of volunteering can also attract people with ulterior motives, competitive sports see a lot of volunteers looking to coach at skill levels above their child players.
I’ve done a few things in the past but something an Air Force seargent told me once always sticks with me and is pretty on point in certain situations: “never volunteer”.
Pretty sure he meant that for situations other than charity though. In some other settings you’ll just be taken advantage of.
Pretty sure he meant that for situations other than charity though. In some other settings you’ll just be taken advantage of.
I'm in a bit of column A and a bit of column B. I'm fully aware I'm being selfish when I want to do it for personal gain but I also want to help out my local community.
My volunteering with the Town is a bit frustrating at times because everything needs to be approved and whenever there are ideas or things that can be done, it involves weeks of back and forth emails and meetings and what not. I do genuinely want to improve the local community but it's difficult to keep motivated when some barriers are put in place
My volunteering with the Town is a bit frustrating at times because everything needs to be approved and whenever there are ideas or things that can be done, it involves weeks of back and forth emails and meetings and what not. I do genuinely want to improve the local community but it's difficult to keep motivated when some barriers are put in place
To that end, if you want to volunteer, I think it is better to volunteer hours than a specific scope of work. If you say for instance, I will help HFH create a computerized inventory system, scope creep can kill you and it can become a perpetual full-time job. If you say, I will provide 30 hours which in my estimation should allow me to accomplish the task, it works better for everyone. When people see free, they often either take advantage or just muddle around in it because they can and there are no repercussions on their side. If CC wants to offer boat rides to kids, offer x days a year, not an open invitation. Obviously experiences differ and people may not agree with this approach but it protects both sides as they have a clear understanding of the relationship.
Dirty Frank
Well-known member
The humane society.
The feeling that the ones that you help truly need the help.
The feeling that the ones that you help truly need the help.
I'd end up with three legged diabetic goats and 90 acres. I left farm life once already
slowbird
Well-known member
I volunteered with Meals on Wheels for awhile. There are two parts to the gig: Driver or Runner.
As the Driver you bring your car and you drive yourself, the food and the runner around to the addresses to drop off the meals. When the runner is making the delivery you have to pack the next meal for them.
As the Runner you take the meal from the car to the "customer". Sounds easier but some of the places can be hoarder like, or a bit dirty/smelly. But most of the time just kind older folks. There is also the possibility the customer might be dead or fallen and can't get up.
I enjoyed it for awhile but I found some of the other volunteers...annoying. They were mostly old retirees with nothing better to do. Some were curmudgeonly, some were bossy or carried an odd sense of entitlement. I remember this particular older lady was a bit mean and took delight in leaving the food near the door instead of bringing it into the bedroom of this bedridden lady. (her place was messy and cluttered and the protocol said to not go in past the door if you don't feel safe.) but when I was the runner I had no issue bringing it to the womans room.
Very few younger people volunteering, and the ones that did were all doing it as part of a mandatory school thing, or because they wanted to become a cop or something)
I did it for a few years and eventually I gave it up.
As the Driver you bring your car and you drive yourself, the food and the runner around to the addresses to drop off the meals. When the runner is making the delivery you have to pack the next meal for them.
As the Runner you take the meal from the car to the "customer". Sounds easier but some of the places can be hoarder like, or a bit dirty/smelly. But most of the time just kind older folks. There is also the possibility the customer might be dead or fallen and can't get up.
I enjoyed it for awhile but I found some of the other volunteers...annoying. They were mostly old retirees with nothing better to do. Some were curmudgeonly, some were bossy or carried an odd sense of entitlement. I remember this particular older lady was a bit mean and took delight in leaving the food near the door instead of bringing it into the bedroom of this bedridden lady. (her place was messy and cluttered and the protocol said to not go in past the door if you don't feel safe.) but when I was the runner I had no issue bringing it to the womans room.
Very few younger people volunteering, and the ones that did were all doing it as part of a mandatory school thing, or because they wanted to become a cop or something)
I did it for a few years and eventually I gave it up.
I've looked for places to volunteer with my motorcycle.
So, i've been part of the motorcycle safety team for a bunch for charity bike rides / walks over the last few years like Weekend to End Cancer / Ride to Conquer Cancer / Walk for Sick Kids.
All these events are always looking for competent people to put in a few hours or a few days volunteering, depending on the event. I used to lead the Motorcycle Safety Teams (we were out-riders providing safe crossings for pedestrians or blocking traffic for cyclists). Most of my volunteers came from GTAM.
If you have leadership skills, there are leadership roles available.
I know people who have had camera-people 2-up on their bikes for the Mississauga Marathon (I think it was that one).
I have also helped with Out of the Cold which was very eye opening and personally rewarding.
I covered phones for the Sicks Kids telethon back in the day when our callcentre hosted the calls.
A really great organization called Million Dollar Smiles fundraises and builds backyard playgrounds for families in need. We were a recipient of a playground and a few years later I helped fundraise and built a playground for family - a pay it forward thing. Million Dollar Smiles
It was heard for me to break into volunteering due to fear / uncertainty / whatever. I look back now and I see opportunities everywhere.
Now I look for events where I can volunteer as a family. We were doing the Walk for Sick kids pre-covid. Little kids ride in strollers / trailers.
Anyway, feel free to DM me and I can walk you through some stuff.
So, i've been part of the motorcycle safety team for a bunch for charity bike rides / walks over the last few years like Weekend to End Cancer / Ride to Conquer Cancer / Walk for Sick Kids.
All these events are always looking for competent people to put in a few hours or a few days volunteering, depending on the event. I used to lead the Motorcycle Safety Teams (we were out-riders providing safe crossings for pedestrians or blocking traffic for cyclists). Most of my volunteers came from GTAM.
If you have leadership skills, there are leadership roles available.
I know people who have had camera-people 2-up on their bikes for the Mississauga Marathon (I think it was that one).
I have also helped with Out of the Cold which was very eye opening and personally rewarding.
I covered phones for the Sicks Kids telethon back in the day when our callcentre hosted the calls.
A really great organization called Million Dollar Smiles fundraises and builds backyard playgrounds for families in need. We were a recipient of a playground and a few years later I helped fundraise and built a playground for family - a pay it forward thing. Million Dollar Smiles
It was heard for me to break into volunteering due to fear / uncertainty / whatever. I look back now and I see opportunities everywhere.
Now I look for events where I can volunteer as a family. We were doing the Walk for Sick kids pre-covid. Little kids ride in strollers / trailers.
Anyway, feel free to DM me and I can walk you through some stuff.
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