RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTubeI'd be curious to hear if the service organizations in Columbus are meeting your interest in volunteering and giving back? What could they do better or more of? What events are compelling? What would encourage you to participate more?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » Events » Volunteering Opportunities
What's your take on Columbus volunteering?
[22 posts] [11 contributors]
Topic Rating:
(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:
Rate this topic:
-
ChrisSunami
King-Lincoln District
Login to Send PM
The programs I run take up so much of my time that I'm almost never available for outside volunteer opportunities no matter how compelling. However, my impression is that there is a wide range of volunteer opportunities in this area for almost every interest and level of time commitment.
I'm not sure how well publicized they are, however, since know a lot of people who run volunteer-dependent programs, and usually hear about these things directly.
On that note: I'm once again looking for performing artists of all types interested in volunteering on a consistent basis working with inner city youth and adults.
Also looking for people in auxiliary roles for the program --administration, publicity, outreach, mentoring, recording, production, songwriting, etc.
http://youtube.com/kitoba for videos from past years of our program.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
Login to Send PM
Kind of the same here...too involved with my current project to really do much outside volunteer work.
I know we are trying hard to take care of our volunteers when they come out to keep them coming back. Making it fun, keeping them well fed and especially caffeinated on those early shifts.
Posted 1 year ago # -
dsigner
Worthington
Login to Send PM
I was thinking I'd hear from the "volunteers" but I certainly appreciate some response from those organizing events and such. I like Life's points about trying to make sure volunteers keep coming back. I wonder sometimes if it is hard for a single organization to maintain consistent participation with so many options. Overall, I was wondering if this thread could identify some of what people (volunteers) are looking for that could help us drive interest, commitment, and attendance.
Posted 1 year ago # -
ChrisSunami
King-Lincoln District
Login to Send PM
What organization do you represent, and what volunteer activities do you provide?
In my experience, the key for volunteer retention is making a good match with your volunteers' skills, interests, level of experience and available time. And being prepared for them once you get them.
Posted 1 year ago # -
BCNation
Franklin Park
Login to Send PM
I just finished my seventh year of volunteering for an outdoor theatre group, which is a great time.
I also volunteer for once a year things (I've done First Night Columbus for 6 years, Comfest for 3, and I'm volunteering for the Columbus Marathon for the first time), and as part of organizations, and volunteered for things just to meet new people. I also picked up more volunteer gigs (and made contacts) last month at the annual CYP Club Volunteer Info Fair.
Volunteering, to paraphrase ex-Columbus School Board President Dr. Terry Boyd, is "rewarding."
I try to squeeze in time, but not too much time so I can focus on other things that are more important. But volunteering can get you connections.
There is a Volunteer Expo on Wednesday in Upper Arlington at their City Hall (near the corner of Tremont & Kenny Rds.).
And last, but not least, I've been a volunteer for about 14 months at WCRS, Columbus's community radio station, which I'm there now twice a week.
But to answer dsigner's last question, if I volunteer to do something, it's something of interest, and I am committed for, and I have a near-perfect attendance.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
Login to Send PM
TaraK wrote >>
I've appreciated this thread, as I'll be working with my first group of volunteers this fall & want(ed) to know what's important for helping give them a positive experience.One of the other things that helps is respecting their ideas and opinions of how to grow or change for the better. We try very hard to incorporate our volunteers in our planning and discussions for future ideas and events.
Posted 1 year ago # -
ChrisSunami
King-Lincoln District
Login to Send PM
TaraK wrote >>
I've appreciated this thread, as I'll be working with my first group of volunteers this fall & want(ed) to know what's important for helping give them a positive experience.That's cool! What program are you running, and what kind of volunteers are you looking for?
Another key thing to working with volunteers successfully is making sure they are well-trained for whatever it is you want them to do. Don't just toss them in the pool and expect it will be a good experience. Or even if it's that kind of position, make sure you at least talk them through expectations on both sides first.
The other thing --and this can sometimes be the hardest --is make sure they are consistently busy. I think the number one thing volunteers hate the most is sitting around doing nothing --makes them feel they have wasted their precious time.
Of course ensuring consistent, volunteer-ready work takes a lot of advance planning.
Posted 1 year ago # -
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
Login to Send PM
ChrisSunami wrote >>
TaraK wrote >>
I've appreciated this thread, as I'll be working with my first group of volunteers this fall & want(ed) to know what's important for helping give them a positive experience.That's cool! What program are you running, and what kind of volunteers are you looking for?
I work at a nonprofit and we're getting volunteers through OSU. It's a mentoring/tutoring role.
Outside of our program, though, my org as a whole always appreciates volunteers willing to help out with the community garden & other projects. (PM me if you'd like more info!) Also, if anyone wants some goods, our last Urban Farmer's Market of the year will be on October 2 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, at 4th an d18th. Everything is organically grown in Weinland Park & all profits go back to sustaining the community garden.
Posted 1 year ago # -
kalencap
Columbus, OH
Login to Send PM
I volunteer for both events and ongoing commitments. There are many volunteering opportunities in Columbus. I think some good points have been brought up on this thread. Personally, I feel there are some matters those running volunteer projects can look at to increase their success rate with volunteers.
For those running volunteer projects, timely response to inquiries is important. If it takes several weeks to get back to me about an inquiry, chances are something else has come up in place of what time I had available for the original inquiry. If the response is quick, I'm much more likely to be able to follow through and volunteer with an organization. This assumes there is a way to inquire about volunteering and someone does respond. For some volunteer postings, I've found that isn't always the case.
The second thing I'd pay attention to is scheduling options. Apparently, everyone wants to schedule volunteering activities for Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon. If looking to get new volunteers, then those are likely times people who are willing to volunteer are already volunteering elsewhere. Also, some people, including me, tend to be working during those times, so having other times available as well could increase response.
A third thing to consider is how much of a volunteer's work can be done remotely at odd hours. If there are emails to respond to, for example, does it make any difference what time of day and location for where a volunteer can do that? It is helpful to break up activities so some volunteer involvement can be done off hours. This also deepens involvement for those volunteers with scattered schedules since it increases the number of times per month they are actively volunteering for your organization.
Finally, communicating what is going on in the organization to the volunteers is important. Volunteers are stakeholders. If there isn't any information sent about what is going on with the organization, and what various volunteers consider important in that regard can differ substantively, then there are plenty of other volunteer-needy organizations out there to attract existing volunteers away to those other organizations.
Those managing an organization often have a different focus than those volunteering for one. Effective communication won't necessarily be the same rhetoric that's effective with employees, clients, monetary donors, or other stakeholders.
Posted 1 year ago # -
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
Login to Send PM
Some good points are being made in this thread.
There is a huge amount of volunteer energy in this town. In my expereience running FOSR, there is more interest in one-time events than making ongoing commitments like active group participation.
We frequently work with groups of corporate employees who get credit for a community service day. (We applaud those corporations whose missions include community service!) They work on business days, usually Fridays. They could be doing anything for service credit but they choose to work on the parks.
The other main group of volunteers are walk-on lone cats who appear out of nowhere and leave when they like. (I tend to be more like this when I'm volunteering somewhere.) These come in conjunction with city-wide events like Earth Day or the upcoming national cleanup on 9/25. It that case, it's up to the organizer to promote the event and see how many people show up for it.
I've learned a few things:
Maintain relationships with recurring volunteer groups, don't let them die on the vine.
Have a take-charge demeanor so the volunteers are not standing around wondering who is in charge and what they're supposed to be doing. Give a prep talk explaining the work to be done. Announce the beginning and the ending of the event.
Have some central sign-in point with a disclaimer form, tools, gloves, bags, water, etc. (in our case, these events are usually litter cleanups and brush removals).
Record the event! "If there isn't a record, it didn't happen" so get pictures of the site before the work, during the work, and after the work. Later, you can publicize the difference you've made, and potential future volunteers can get a glimpse of what they'd be getting into.
Tip the local media, in advance. They're often looking for a local feel-good story and volunteer service events, whatever their nature, are good candidates. Then your cause and your workforce get free publicity.
Then think up new ways to do it again...
Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
Login to Send PM
^ We're pretty lucky to have a dedicated core group of volunteers that we can pretty well rely on for most of the year. Love those folks! We do get a lot that
pop in for one or two events, such as comfest.I realized I do have one volunteer experience I can relate. Volunteered for a rest stop at Pelotonia last year and it was a pretty bad experience. Many of the themes Alexs and others have touched on were present: lack of clear leadership/organization; not enough work for everyone; they ran out of volunteer shirts/goody bags (so probably a good tip is not to over promise benefits).
Posted 1 year ago # -
DonnaTate
Login to Send PM
I've found there to be a huge difference between volunteering through a large corporation and as an individual. When I was employed, I had plenty of volunteer opportunities, and always received prompt replies from the organizations I was planning events for etc.
As a SAHM, now I have more time for volunteering, but have found many organizations to be flaky when it comes to responding to potential volunteers. After contacting more than a dozen organizations, I've only ever gotten a response back from one of them. They require some initial training for new volunteers and the timing of those training sessions has just never worked with my schedule. It's sad because I'd love to be involved in this organization. :( I've pretty much given up on the notion of volunteering in Columbus.Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
Login to Send PM
DonnaTate wrote >>
I've found there to be a huge difference between volunteering through a large corporation and as an individual. When I was employed, I had plenty of volunteer opportunities, and always received prompt replies from the organizations I was planning events for etc.
As a SAHM, now I have more time for volunteering, but have found many organizations to be flaky when it comes to responding to potential volunteers. After contacting more than a dozen organizations, I've only ever gotten a response back from one of them. They require some initial training for new volunteers and the timing of those training sessions has just never worked with my schedule. It's sad because I'd love to be involved in this organization. :( I've pretty much given up on the notion of volunteering in Columbus.Shoot me a PM. All you need to know is learned in a shift, no separate training. We are also always looking for volunteers to do data entry. It's largely on your own schedule, whenever someone is in the computer lab.
Posted 1 year ago # -
GW_Justice
Grandview Hts.
Login to Send PM
Some orgs are just looking for short term, low skill workers - clean up, stuff envelops, etc. A T-shirt will go a long way for rewarding that sort of work.
Higher skill work requires better motivation, and the key to keeping these sort of people around is making them feel they are part of the organization, and will have a say in the running of the org. The trick is to have a path planned for these people, they can start as observers at board meetings, then with experience in the way things work they can be on committees, then eventually move into full voting board members. The example I gave might not fit all orgs, but there should be a path to power (and responsibility). When this path is clear to volunteers, it provides the reason to stick around for years.
Posted 1 year ago # -
ChrisSunami
King-Lincoln District
Login to Send PM
-
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
Login to Send PM
2 Great Resources:
Yelp Helps on Thursday October 14.
Yelp Helps is matching YOU up with your ideal non-profit(s) to spread the love, time & energy to our great city: Columbus!
RSVP here: http://www.yelp.com/events/columbus-yelp-helpsColumbus Gives Back - Service with a Social Twist!
http://columbusgivesback.org/Posted 1 year ago # -
dsigner
Worthington
Login to Send PM
Thanks everyone for such thoughtful responses. I'm glad I started this thread and look forward to sharing it with others in my organization. BTW, I'm with GenNext, an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation of Central Ohio professional to help strengthen our community. We try to create an environment where community-minded individuals can participate in service projects and educational opportunities while connecting with their peers. What's unique (to some extent) is that opportunities are diverse in their focus and activity and varied in their timing to accommodate the busy schedules young professionals have.
Web: http://www.gennextcolumbus.org/about
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/GenNext/97472583712?ref=tsPosted 1 year ago #
You must log in to post.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.