50 Ways in 50 Days: Make a Plan

Woot! Y’all have raised $375 already — enough to cover one and a half surgeries for kiddos with clefts. Keep it coming!

Idea #5: Build volunteering into your schedule. A lot of people wish they spent more time volunteering for causes they believe in, but without planning ahead, many people (myself included) put it off.

First of all, think about what you care most about and research organizations near you that are active in that area. Instead of signing up for occassional, one-off service opportunities, commit to volunteering regularly at one organization that you support. Contact a volunteer coordinator or attend an orientation so you know exactly what is expected of volunteers. Committing to one organization gets you more involved, reduces the time that staffers need to train new people, and provides a reliable stream of volunteers that the organization can depend on. You can find thousands of local volunteer opportunities at www.idealist.com.

Think about your skills, too. Anyone can help sort cans at a food pantry, but the organization might need other help — bookkeeping, grant writing, legal advice, etc. — that a professional accountant, editor, or lawyer could provide pro bono. Volunteering regularly at an organization and getting to know the staff will make these needs and opportunities more apparent.