How do you decide where to volunteer?

            I have written before that I intend to incorporate service into life after graduation. I love my city, and I feel that it is important to repay the community for all of the great opportunities it has afforded me. Therefore, I committed in July to volunteering at least once a week.

            My commitment to volunteer was immediately challenged. As I searched for volunteer opportunities, I was absolutely inundated. There are so many organizations looking for volunteers. The sheer number of opportunities was overwhelming. I was simply unable to choose an organization to join for ongoing volunteer efforts. I responded by instead choosing singular opportunities for volunteering. I reasoned that volunteering at a single event requires less commitment, so I could afford to risk a few bad experiences. Unfortunately, I am too busy to continue this strategy as well.

 

           Because my time is severely limited, it is important that I use my time as effectively as possible. I can only reach my goals if I choose those activities that provide the greatest benefits. Although this principle applies to volunteering as well, I have struggled to evaluate the value of volunteer opportunities. Therefore, I would like to propose three criteria for evaluating volunteer opportunities.

 

Criterion 1: Community Impact  

            Of course, volunteering is fundamentally about helping others. Volunteers choose to donate their time to help others. Because our time is more limited than our needs, the opportunities that do the most good should be prioritized.

Unfortunately, this criterion is difficult to use. It is very difficult to determine which opportunities do the most good. There are so many different needs to address, and so many different communities to serve. Choosing a cause requires judging relative need, and effectiveness of programs addressing that need. I am still struggling to include this criterion into my calculations, but I generally try to favor those opportunities that most effectively address the most basic need in the long term.

 

Criterion 2: Personal Development

            Personal development is always a priority for me. I believe it is very important to choose activities that build my capacity for future good. Therefore, I try to favor opportunities that provide valuable skills, knowledge, and connections. This is especially important now as I search for work.
           I recently joined the James F. Farr Academy Golf Committee for this purpose. This committee will meet over the next year to plan a golf tournament to benefit the James F. Farr Academy. I joined to gain more experience as an event planner, and also increase my value as a job candidate.

 

Criterion 3: Personal Experience

            Volunteering is also a way to experience things I otherwise could not afford. I have noticed that many very interesting events have entrance fees. Since graduation I have become painfully aware that expenses add up, especially when you are searching for work. If I feel that an entrance fee is prohibitive, I will offer to volunteer at the event. As a volunteer, I get free entrance as well as a chance to enjoy the event whenever I am not busy.
            I volunteered at A Taste of Allston, hosted by the Allston Village Main Streets, for this reason. A Taste of Allston is an annual event that allows community members to try food from a variety of Allston eateries. It is also a good event, but tickets cost $20. Although this is far less expensive than similar events in other neighborhoods, I still prefer to avoid the cost. Thankfully, I was allowed to volunteer at the event in 2011 and 2012.

 

          While I am not completely satisfied with these criteria, I think they are a start. I would love to hear what others think about my criteria. If you volunteer, how do you choose where to volunteer? Do you think the criteria I suggested are helpful?