Working as a volunteer provides many benefits, including added structure, opportunities to meet new people, and personal fulfillment. Volunteering also gives us opportunities to develop new skills—skills we might use personally or perhaps eventually use in paid work.

The options for volunteering are many. Rather than list examples in addition to those shown in the previous post, here are suggestions for finding opportunities:

• Look in your mailbox. You will likely receive solicitations for contributions from organizations that depend on volunteers. Contact the local offices or chapters to inquire.
• Keep an eye out for charity events. These are often advertised or announced in the newspaper (as well as in-mailers). Many of them occur annually, and you might find good opportunities in planning and/or working at next year’s event.
• Google “volunteer groups” or “volunteer” plus your local area. You might find a collated list for your area. If not, another area’s list might give you ideas for finding local groups.
• Start with a cause in mind and explore from there. Would you like to help reduce the feral cat population? Ask local veterinarians about groups or run a focused search on the Internet. Would you like to help school children in some way? Contact your local school board or, again, run a search on the Internet. Also consider asking if there is a way for you to help out your grandchildren’s school.

Manage the Time You Devote to Volunteering

Successfully managing your time is important to enjoying the volunteer experience. As noted in the previous post, determine how much time you want to give, and on what schedule, before making a commitment. I recommend you have time frames in mind even before you give an indication of interest or willingness to volunteer. Also, be ready and willing to say no. New volunteers often find themselves bombarded with requests and pleas for their time. At first, this might feel flattering and worthwhile, but it can become burdensome all too quickly.

Manage Your Volunteering Expectations

As most volunteers will tell you, the work can be as challenging as paid work, if not more. The challenges can certainly include the sort we enjoy. For example, the challenge of planning and running a charity golf tournament for the first time might be enjoyable. On the other hand, volunteer organizations often lack adequate guidance for first-timers, which can be an overwhelming and aggravating experience. Before you jump in, gather information about the work or role as well as the resources, guidance, and support available. Consider the fit for your personality and preferences.

Do you enjoy learning as you go or prefer a high level of guidance? Will you be expected to follow past practices even if you want to do something differently? Also consider the value of stretching yourself—your experiences might provide you with growth far beyond what you had when you worked at paid jobs!

It’s also important to consider any organizational politics, especially if you wish to volunteer at a board or committee level. Is there petty infighting or mutual respect? If the former is prevalent, how might that affect your experience in terms of the work or your enjoyment of it? Again, it’s often best to avoid jumping right in. Give yourself time to get to know the organization and its leadership, and, as noted above, consider the value of stretching yourself in this area by adding your own leadership to the mix.

The size of volunteer organizations and groups offering volunteer opportunities won’t necessarily be relevant. Most national (and international) groups operate using chapters, small subsets of the overall group. Many small and local organizations do excellent work and are very well run. Just keep in mind that every group has its strengths and weaknesses.

Also, almost every organization offers opportunities of various size or scope. For example, your local Habitat for Humanity group would probably welcome you as a volunteer even if you’re unable to wield a hammer. Consider the time you wish to contribute, do your research, and then fold volunteering into your successful retirement.

Volunteering

Goals: 

Determine how much time I’m open to giving and on what schedule. By: _________

Create a list of organizations with which I want to consider volunteering. By: _________

Create list of questions that will help me understand the role, resources, and expectations. By: _________

Contact organizations and follow up. By: _________

Have volunteer work lined up! By: _________

Note:

Many successful retirees have shared that they pursued volunteering based on a specific interest—it was one of their goals. The goal was often closely related to a balanced leisure lifestyle or one of the success strategies. For example:

I had become somewhat reclusive and made a point to force myself to break the habit. This included purposely volunteering with a group that met weekly for several months. Their expectation that I be there was helpful; I appreciated the added pressure.

—Carlos E. former electrical worker

A gentleman had displayed a large, beautiful nativity in his yard for many years. He had willed that display to the city, but it lay unused and in disrepair for quite some time. When a local group took on restoration and then responsibility for the annual display, I jumped at the chance to help. You see, the original owner of the display was a Sikh, not a Christian. It is my honour to support his legacy of neighbourliness. This is something I would like to be remembered for as well.

—William R., former city worker

EXAMPLE

Action Items: 

Ask Lee about that swim she does each year. Find out if I’d have to do a mile! 

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