We’ve compiled a number of tips for volunteering that you should look through before heading off (or logging on) to help a Cause.

Stay safe

Don’t pass any personal information to people or organisations outside of what’s necessary. forgood will only pass along your name, contact number and/or email address when you respond to a volunteering opportunity.
Make sure that you’re not left alone with someone that you’ve never met before.
Know where you’re going. If you’re headed off the beaten track or into an unfamiliar part of town, be sure you have directions and access to a GPS device or mapping app.
Virtual volunteering is the next big thing – there’s so much good you can do via the Internet and video conferencing sessions, just ask!
Ask, ask, ask! If you’re worried about something, need clarity or concerned about your safety in a certain situation, ask the person in charge. If you feel unsafe, consult the person in charge and let him or her know.
Look out for hazards. Every job has its hazards—even jobs you don’t get paid to perform. For example, if you’re volunteering at an animal shelter, be sure to ask whether the animals are likely to bite and how to avoid that.

Keep in contact

Once you respond to a volunteering opportunity, we’ll send your contact details to the relevant Cause. They should get in touch with you soon. If you don’t hear from the Cause, you can follow up with them by visiting their Cause Profile Page or emailing the details we shared in your confirmation email.
Get the contact number of the volunteer co-ordinator or one of the managers at the Cause and keep it handy.
Make sure you’ve organised a good meeting spot and have accurate directions.
Always let someone (family or friends) know that you’re heading out to volunteer. Even better, take a friend or colleague! Volunteering is better together.

Stick to your commitments

Don't overcommit. You can create more problems than you solve if you keep missing the volunteering time you’ve committed to. Causes value consistency above all else – help them help you help their beneficiaries!

Volunteer around your strengths

You probably have some fantastic skills that our Causes can make use of…
Use the skills of your profession to help. A designer can design posters or signage for a Cause; a teacher can tutor; an accountant can help prep for an audit; an HR Executive can help with staff contracts and a DIY fan can help fix infrastructure.
Use volunteering as an opportunity to enhance your own skills. Interested in writing? Perhaps you can help an animal shelter with their weekly newsletter. Interested in mentoring and coaching? You’ll find plenty of Education and Entrepreneurship Causes that need regular mentors for their programmes.
Use your hobbies to help out. Perhaps you’re an avid gardener who can help set up a vegetable garden for a Cause, or perhaps you’re a fantastic cook who can provide a meal for a charity event or programme. You’d be surprised what kind of skills a resourceful Cause can make use of.
All skills are useful. Perhaps you’re great at organising and can help a charity with a spring clean campaign. Or perhaps you’re a great storyteller and can read stories once per month at an orphanage.
Avoid volunteering activities that don’t suit your strengths. If you’re not good with children, don’t volunteer to help out at a school. If you don’t like heading out, or dealing directly with beneficiaries - check out the Virtual Volunteering campaign that always lives in the Campaigns section of forgood – we’ve got 100’s of great remote volunteering opportunities for introverts and extroverts alike!

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