The opportunities and benefits of online volunteering

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1 The opportunities and benefits of online volunteering Presentation for the Kaplan University chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Presenter: Dr. Natalie Hruska Ph.D. Management M.S. Information Technology B.A. Psychology

2 Overview What is Volunteering Online? Major Benefits Health and Happiness - feel better in mind and body! Experience - use it, gain it Networking - expand your network, get your foot in the door How can you start Volunteering Online?

3 What is Online Volunteering? Origin goes back to ARPANET (1960s), which made Project Gutenberg (1970s) possible- online volunteers began development of a massive digital library of ebooks- important cultural works 1990 s- grants provided to research the state, the impact, and the possibility of online volunteering then and into the future Defined as the use of the Internet and other technologies to volunteer It s EASY! Online Volunteers have more flexibility- more choice in what, where, when, and how they volunteer Non profit organizations benefit from greater outreach, access to unique skills, and technology

4 Scenario Amy- no job, bills to pay, finishing degree Wants to learn about field and become a professional, start her career, but is not encouraged by the job market Finds a volunteering positions online; applies to several and is accepted Becomes a spokesperson for non profit organization Uses old skills, gains new ones Meets people, makes connections, opens doors

5 Health Volunteers feel better mentally and physically; they feel healthier; they are better at managing stress Volunteers feel more in control of their health Volunteers have deeper connections with others; increased sense of independence and meaning in lives In the project team engagement, volunteers develop soft people skills leads to how volunteer develops experience

6 Experience Volunteers gain real world experience; they can explore career in a more flexible work environment Volunteers refine professional skills and add new ones Volunteers gain in depth knowledge in a subject area, building confidence in their chosen field 73% of employers would choose a candidate who had volunteer experience over a candidate who did not have any experience. And, 94% of employers believed that volunteering helps increase job skills " (Murphy, 2013) Nearly half of hiring managers view volunteer activity as equally as valuable as work experience, but people do not add this experience to a resume or online profile onto networking

7 Networking Volunteers expand their network, increase social and professional connections; working with top administration Adding volunteer experience to a LinkedIn profile not only looks good to employers and prospective employers, but links volunteers to a wider network of career opportunities and new contacts (Shifman, 2013) 1 of 5 hiring managers in the U.S. agree they have hired a candidate because of their volunteer work experience Use your online profile to show your passion and share your volunteer experience in depth. When your network sees what you do, they will reach out to you with more relevant opportunities

Finding Opportunities www.onlinevolunteering.

8 Finding Opportunities Positions around the world Develop a marketing, business, or management plan Serve on a board Design a logo, newsletter, website. Research a social issue

and more online/on ground www.volunteermatch.

9 Finding Opportunities Find volunteer positions, jobs, internships, and more online/on ground Select Advanced tab to search Specifically for virtual opportunities

10 Other Tools Red Cross: EPals: Virtual Food Drive: Do Something Campaigns: A Million Thanks: Advice from older people: Write to your favorite organization can I volunteer for you?

11 Ideas Crisis counselor for disaster relief or suicide prevention hotline Design a mobile application for childhood cancer organization Write to businesses asking them to donate school supplies Blog, post to social networks Take photos, write editorials on assignment Design a new logo for a non profit Redesign a school house Develop a public service animation; create cartoon characters Promote a non profit organization as a social media manager Put on a charity fashion show Prepare a blue print for non profit regional expansion; new buildings, etc. Develop small business plans for a new restaurant, hotel Research donors, search databases; write grants

12 Micro volunteering Can take seconds or minutes: possible through use of a smartphone or PDA Freerice.com- answer quiz questions correctly and they donate rice to WFP HelpfromHome.org- pick the time you have and what you want to do Shop through GoodShop.com or ShopforAmerica.com- part of cost goes to a non profit User search engine GoodSearch- every time you search, you donate to a non profit or your choice Make something up- Like a non profit on Facebook, post something informational or positive, inspirational quotes Edit online content, Wikipedia, tag photos- interesting research projects

13 End Any questions or comments?

14 References CMurphy. The Five Benefits of Volunteering. 19 March Web. 26 March < Doing Good is Good for You. United Health Group Web. 26 March Dorsey, A. More Than Just a Resume: Share Your Volunteer Aspirations on Your LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn Blog. 4 Sept Web. 26 March Do Good Live Well Study Web. 26 March Susan J. Ellis. Why Volunteer? Energize Inc Web. 26 March 2015http:// Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits. HelpGuide.org Web. 26 March Idealist.org Web. 26 March

15 References Katherine Reynolds Lewis. (2011). Should you include Volunteer Work on a Resume? CNN Money. 20 Oct Web. 26 March Shifman, J Reasons Volunteering Can Lead to a Job. Legions of Americans are devoting time to nonprofits and finding paths to employment. NextAvenue. 2 July Web. 26 March Ten Professional Development Benefits of Volunteering (Everything I Learned in Life I Learned through Volunteering). Mary V. Merrill, LSW, Merrill Associates Web. 26 March TimeBank: Be a Volunteer Web. 26 March Virtual Volunteering. Wikipedia Web. 26 March World Volunteer Web Web. 26 March

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