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Volunteering Articles for Sector Switchers
Do Something Good.
Published May 12, 2009 @ 07:24PM PT
Portland Man Loses Job and Founds a Nonprofit
Seth Reams, co-founder of We've Got Time To Help, digs a hole for a fence for someone in need.
Have you been laid off, anticipating a lay-off or searching for your next great career? As the economy falters, many people are being laid off and forced into an unplanned job search. For many job seekers, this is the perfect time to explore the nonprofit sector by volunteering. Identify a cause or interest that you are passionate about (I know that it's hard to feel passionate about anything after being laid off, but use your hobbies or interests as your guide) and identify a nonprofit agency making an impact in this area. Here is the perfect opportunity to use your interest, passion and skills to make a difference.
If you have been following the Obama administration and their focus on service, you are no stranger to the multitude of opportunities that exist to make a difference. If you don't have a clue about where to begin your volunteer search, talk with your colleagues, neighbors, friends and family members to hear about where they volunteer or donate resources. If you haven't already looked online, check out VolunteerMatch and the TapRoot Foundation to explore opportunities. If nothing else, you'll be inspired after reading stories about successful sector switchers. Share your story in the comment section or email me. I'd love to hear how you made your sector switch.
Do Good and Make A Difference
Published June 18, 2009 @ 09:07PM PT
There are all sorts of ways to enter the nonprofit field, but many people find volunteering a great way to "test" the waters on the other side. I've mentioned this in previous posts, but I thought of it again today while "giving back" at a Nonprofit Professional Advisory Group service project. I am in Boston for a few days with colleagues for a work retreat, and we spent today volunteering at the West End House, an A+ Boys and Girls Club with amazing staff and children.
The day included preparing meals for the over 330 children they serve DAILY, and creating decorations for their annual awards presentation. While making tissue paper flowers for table centerpieces, I had a reminder "Ah Ha' moment - this really does make a difference.
Having spent 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, I know first hand about the importance of volunteers and for many agencies, they are vital for survival. If you are unsure about where you want to work or what you'd enjoy doing, volunteering is the way to figure it out. What are the options for volunteering? You can work with kids, prepare meals, build houses, answer a hot line, clean up a park, or sit on a Board of Directors (I could go on forever...).
Volunteering is a three-tiered investment - yourself, the organization and the people benefiting from the mission. The added bonus is you'll do good, make a difference and clear a path to a new job. If you are looking for some specific examples of how volunteer work has led to a new career, Bridgespan has written about it, along with Volunteer Match.
Got Game? If Not, You Need It
Published June 25, 2009 @ 11:24AM PT
A very warm welcome to guest blogger, Laura Gassner Otting, President and Founder of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. Laura wrote this on the the red eye to Boston, MA from San Francisco, CA following attending and presentating at the National Conference for Service and Volunteerism.
En route home from the National Conference on Service and Volunteerism, an amazing and inspiring event for more than 5,000 true believers, I can't help but reflect with some awe about the polish and promise that the service sector has once again embraced. It is thrilling, after more than a decade away, to see it in action, and exciting to absorb the energy as the harbinger of things to come. Yet, more than anything else, the people themselves stood out for their individual dedication and their collective promise.
Everyone, but everyone, seemed to be walking around with a plan: a plan to change the world, a plan to raise more money, a plan to serve more communities, a plan to leapfrog into a new career. As an executive recruiter walking the halls, you might imagine I got a fair number of leapfrogging plans in stereo. Some were impressive: well formed, cogent, crisp, logical. Others were based on limited, on-the-fly, seat-of-the-pants thinking (or not, as the case may be).
So, what's your plan?
It's not enough simply to show up, expecting your charm and fast talk to win the day. You need game.
Game is that all-encompassing vision of the world the way you'd like it to be. Game is knowing the individual levers you'd like to pull and which tools in your tool box will enable your success. Game is the boldness to see possibility in a leap of faith sector switch. Game is strategically disaggregating your for-profit experiences into viable nonprofit buckets and honing your pitch time and time again. Game is that surgical strike you make in the halls of a conference between workshops, seizing the moment to impact the most favorable impression on your target market. Game is the confidence with which you bear your soul and recruit true champions to your cause: in this case, you.
Over the past few days of this conference, one could practically float into tomorrow on the promise of community change to come. And yet, the sector is realistic about the immense challenges that stand before it. Now more than ever, it needs smart thinkers who can solve big problems. It needs new thinkers who are respectful of the wisdom of those who came before. It needs energetic soul bearers who know where enthusiasm meets its limits and real skills take over. It needs game, and it needs you.
How to Get a Seat At the Table
Published July 06, 2009 @ 06:30PM PT
I've written a lot about volunteering, interning and serving as a nonprofit board member and consider these great ways to explore the nonprofit sector. I hear this repeat questions from job seekers, "How do I even begin pursuing a board seat?" It's really not that complicated, and usually proves to be a great way to network. If you have the time and are committed to a mission, this is a rewarding way to make an impact. Not only will you be making a difference (and learning along the way), you will expand your network.
You should think strategically about what nonprofit board you'd like to serve on, and how you can make this happen. Most seats are filled through connections by networking, friends or colleagues. My point? Ask your friends and colleagues about their nonprofit work and any board involvement. If you don't have the connections, there are many resources to consider.
If you've exhausted your personal and professional resources, then the web is the second greatest place to start. Check out BoardNetUSA, BoardSource and visit your local United Way site for links to other organizations and board openings. This will give you a good sense of what opportunties exist, and where your talents can be maximized. Nonprofits depend on their boards for so many things, and a good board member is a keeper.
Once you've done your research, and identified an organization that meets your needs (and vice verse), move forward to land that seat at their table. Did you know that your future board colleagues probably serve on other boards or have in the past ? With board size averaging 7 or 8 members, you will instantly expanded your network. This can only HELP your job search strategy.
Most agencies have a process for interviewing and choosing their board members (beware of the agency where any warm body is welcome!). For some organizations, the process and short and for others, longer. Regardless, if you are motivated, have time and offer talents, there is definately a board seat waiting just for you.
The Unpaid Payoff
Published July 12, 2009 @ 08:10PM PT
As a sector switcher, you may wonder how to move your resume to the top of a very large pile of resumes or how to best set yourself apart from all the other candidates. There are so many ways to achieve better qualifications and knowledge and for nonprofit job seekers, a good choice is by volunteering, interning or serving on a board of directors. If you've recently been laid off or have some free-time, explore opportunities locally at your United Way or online at www.volunteermatch.org. There are too many online resources to post, but these two sites will provide valuable information and/or lead to more information and sites about volunteering, interning or serving on a board.
Another possibility - create an opportunity at an agency or organization that will last two or three months while job seeking. This will ease the loneliness of job seeking, engage your brain in meaningful work (always important) and create the possibility for future work. This idea was presented in a Washington Post article that appeared in its Sunday Edition. Take a peek to confirm more of the same - volunteering can pave the way to a new career.
Testing the Waters: A Shout Out to Volunteer Match
Published August 17, 2009 @ 05:37PM PT
This is a shout out to Volunteer Match, and its President, Greg Baldwin, a friend and colleague that I unexpectedly ran into at the infamous,York Wild Animal Kingdom this past week (You never know who you'll see and where.... see how it's always important to be on top of your game!).
The grass is always greener may be a cliche, but it can also be true. If you hope for greener pastures in the nonprofit sector, test the waters through volunteering, serving on a board of directors, taking a class or participating in a seminar. As I've mentioned here before, there are community colleges and companies that offer free, online "webinars," or join an online community such as Encore or Volunteer Match. In the case of volunteer work, you give others the chance to test your skills and commitment. If you've been working for a long time in the same position, it gives you the chance to demonstrate your commitment to the mission, flexibility and agility with new challenges.
Volunteer Match is about bringing people together, making it easier for good people and good causes to get together - a dating service of sorts for volunteering. You should take advantage of all the resources you can while job seeking, especially as a sector switcher. Volunteer work is vital to mission-driven organizations and can make you more attractive to potential employers, test your agility and help to expand your network. Go for it!
Interning Your Way Through The Door
Published August 24, 2009 @ 06:32PM PT
I was forwarded a great internship opportunity this week by a colleague. I've been an intern in my previous, earlier life, along with many of my colleagues. What's the big deal about an internship? It can change your life for the better. Businesses and nonprofits are relying heavily on interns right now given the economy and if you haven't considered an internship, you should. If there's any doubt, check out this fun internship as a Fall Bacontern (this is what kicked-off this post).
Seriously - If you are considering a job in the nonprofit sector, you may be able to gain experience through interning or a temporary position. Many internships and temp jobs turn into permanent jobs, and in this economy, it's important not to overlook obvious places to gain experience, network and have fun, too.
If you are just starting out or changing careers, internships are an excellent way to get your foot in the door. If you are lucky enough, you could find a paid internship. Regardless of whether you are paid or not, take the time to find a good opportunity through networking, alumni sites, volunteer contacts and even online sites such as Craig's List.
Once you've landed your internship, be clear about the duties and job responsibilities with your "employer." Even if you aren't being paid, it's important to clear up all things related to schedules, time-frame, and expectations. There's nothing worse than getting to the end of an internship to discover that it's not been beneficial to everyone (been there, done that).
Make sure you tell your employer that you are looking for permanent work, a specific set of skills (if you are) or an opportunity to network. Treat your internship as a real job - show up on time and contribute work that is valuable (as in above and beyond their expectations). As your time winds down, ask if there are other opportunities available or if they'll hire you. If you don't ask, you may never know. If you are looking for some motivation, you should read this and good luck!
