How to Find an Organization to Volunteer With

Have you been thinking about ways that you can get involved in the community around you? Are you confused where to start, but would really like to start volunteering somewhere that will make a difference? If this sounds like you, it is easier than you think when it comes to How to Find an Organization to Volunteer With.

In many cases people volunteer with organizations that they have adopted from. They have gone through the adoption process and have liked what they have seen. Therefore, they go back to see how they can volunteer for that organization. I, however, would recommend you at least reach out to two organizations in your area to find out how they handle volunteers. In rural areas this might not be possible, but for suburban and urban areas this shouldn’t be an issue.

Many groups will have a volunteer application that you may find online, as well as an orientation. If an organization doesn’t have either of these, you may want to ask questions of current volunteers and staff about how volunteers are managed. In most cases the orientation is required, but if it isn’t, I would recommend you do it anyway. This gives you a chance to meet others who are interested in volunteering.

Don’t be afraid to ask for the names and numbers of people who are currently volunteering! Reach out to them and ask how their experience of volunteering is with the group. Most volunteers end up being donors to the group and staff should treat everyone with respect and consideration. If you get push back, then you know that there may be problems.

After you agree to be a volunteer, don’t be surprised if they ask you to sign an agreement that will commit you to 6 months to 1 year. The organization is investing in you, by training you and supervising your volunteer efforts. That means they want to know that you are serious! If something happens and you can’t fulfill the contract, not much will happen, but this is a symbolic way of showing that both parties are committed to each other.

Volunteer Checklist – What You Can Provide

First sit down and write down what you can offer an organization:

• Do you want to do hands-on care for the animals?
• Are you interested in being a trapper of community cats?
• Want to help with a lost and found program?
• Do you have any professional services you can offer, such as marketing, fundraising or public relations?
• Think you would like answering the phone?
• Do you want to be an adoption counselor?
• Interested in providing your house as a foster homes for cats?

You will also what to consider WHEN you can volunteer. Know that when volunteering at an adoption center you are usually commit to a weekly shift. You’ll also want to remember that trapping feral cats involves setting and sitting with traps late at night and early in the mornings, along with doing transport to clinics. You would also need the regular use of a vehicle.

Providing your home for a foster home means having a separate room to keep the cats. You may also need to purchase your own supplies, but sometimes the adoption center will provide them. The center should provide medical assistance, but there will be a process in place for handling medical treatments for the cats/kittens that you will be responsible for.

Fundraising involves working long hours a few weekends a year for big events. Do you think you would like to be on their Board of Directors? This usually involves a commitment to monthly meetings and a knowledge of financials and governing the policies of the organization. Many boards are tasked with the fundraising job, as well.

As you can see, there are lots of questions to think about before you even consider offering your volunteer services to an organization. Once you narrow down your interest to one or two areas, you will be able to successfully present yourself to the group. You don’t want to get trapped in a situation where you have over-committed and can’t follow through!

Volunteer Checklist – What an Organization May Want

Let’s talk about what different organizations may want, as well. A well-managed organization should be able to quickly identify areas in their organization where help is most needed. If you ask and they say we need help everywhere, it might mean that they are overwhelmed. They may just be reacting to various situations and aren’t able to think about the big picture. I find that this can happen often with new groups.

Be sure to ask what it is that they want and what is expected of you. Having this two-way conversation will really help you and the organization you are volunteering with start out with the foundation for a wonderful volunteer partnership!

Congratulations and thank you for committing to helping the many cats in need in your community by offering your services! Here is a quick video that was prepared showing a foster home from the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society. Enjoy!

The Community Cats Podcast is pleased to announce the launch of Community Cats Grants.  These grants can help you be able to help more cats in your community and you can learn how to raise the necessary funds to support your work.  To fill out an online application go to our website at Community Cats Grants!