There are many reasons why it is a good idea to volunteer at a nonprofit organization, especially when looking for a job. This presentation is about the why\'s and how\'s of volunteering while job seeking.

1. Job Seekers and Volunteerism-You Never Know!
I. Why volunteer for a nonprofit organization (npo) when you are job seeking?
• Networking!
• Continue to add to your resume in spite of being unemployed
• Doing something good for others makes you feel good
• Strengthen your appreciation for what you have
• Learn new skills/information
• Fantasy fulfillment
II. How to begin?
A. Passion?
B. Skills?
C. What is appealing?
• Type of people/group/issues/local vs. global
(Brainstorm)
• You will be able to find an npo for just about anything!
D. Decide how much time you have/how far away you are willing to travel
(Everything from a few minutes on the computer to volunteer vacations)
E. See the list of search tools/organizations on the other side of this page
(You can also just go to www.google.com)
F. You can try things out-no need to commit until you are ready; but give
it some time to develop connections and relationships
I would LOVE to connect with you!
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and/or by phone/email
http://www.linkedin.com/in/HeidiMassey
Heidi Massey
847-269-1366 HeidiMassey@gmail.com

2. Find A Volunteer Opportunity
There are countless organizations/websites that help you find volunteer
opportunities. These are probably the best for use in Chicago for local as well as
national/global volunteer opportunities.
Chicago Cares (http://www.chicagocares.org/) according to its website,
provides “…creative, structured group volunteer programs that address Chicago's
most pressing needs.” The site continues: “…creates, manages and leads 200
original group volunteer projects each month serving children, adults, seniors,
the environment, the hungry and homeless and more.” Chicago Cares is an
affiliate of HandsOn Network (see next entry)
HandsOn Network (http://www.handsonnetwork.org/) according to its
website, “ Inspires, Equips and Mobilizes People to Take Action that Changes the
World.” The site continues, “Through our network of more than 250 HandsOn
Action Centers, you can find your volunteer projects and programs that align
your passion with real needs in your local community.”
Idealist (http://www.idealist.org/) according to its website, “…is a project of
Action Without Borders.” The site gives the following list: Find people,
organizations, groups, jobs, volunteer opportunities, events and more. Sign up
to receive daily alerts, create a personal profile, read the blog, and listen to
podcasts. Search the job data base for nonprofit positions. Explore community
action, nonprofits, job seeking in the nonprofit community and more in the online
resource centers.
Network for Good (www.NetworkforGood.org) according to their website,
“We make it as easy to donate and volunteer online as it is to shop online, and
we make it simple and affordable for all nonprofits, of any size, to recruit donors
and volunteers via the internet.”
One Brick (http://www.onebrick.org/) according to their website, “…brings
volunteers together to support other non-profit organizations by adopting an
innovative twist to the volunteer experience: we create a friendly and social
atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event, we invite
volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or café where they can get to know
one another in a relaxed social setting.”