Volunteering is more than planting trees, mural work at schools, and cleaning parks & communities. Many nonprofit organizations utilize virtual volunteering space for various purposes. The widespread pandemic increased the virtual volunteering opportunities leading to more changes in volunteering activities. Nonprofit organizations are creating online volunteering opportunities for multiple positions to continue their service to communities.
Advanced technology contribution helped organizations and volunteers to reach more needful people. Volunteers can contribute their hours directly from home with virtual connectivity. Online campaigns, social media promotions, and awareness programs conducted using online platforms. Coordinators can interact with volunteers and assign their work to perform. Online training sessions enable safety and a detailed approach to the task.
Virtual volunteering enables organizations to expand the volunteer base by allowing more people to participate in their volunteer programs. Volunteers from different areas can serve at relevant positions and timings. This online culture will widespread the volunteering benefits and support nonprofits with augmenting staff resources.
According to stats, 40 percent are from developing nations, and 3,000 people are serving at any given time. Students can use virtual volunteering opportunities to enhance their career development skills. People with physical disabilities can serve the needful people and other communities. Jobs like online writing, social media, and tutorial activities are some of the most relevant opportunities for students & disabled people.
Virtual volunteering opportunities are found many and volunteers are just a click behind to get approved. Here are some of the online volunteering opportunities for volunteers to serve nonprofits and communities.
- Tutoring or Mentoring
- Social media management
- Fundraising
- Human Resources
- Interviewing new candidates for a program, class, volunteering, and employment
- Designing any publication
- Transcribing a podcast so that people can read it
- Developing material for a curriculum
Benefits of Virtual Volunteering
Volunteering culture has evolved so much with time, and virtual volunteering can eliminate the distance barrier and allow people to serve for various organizations. Volunteer management tools the significant advancements of technology that enables organizations to manage, recruit, and assign volunteers at various events. Volunteers can serve at the preferred position from their own place, whereas coordinators can conduct orientation and training sessions using online platforms.
a. More Job Opportunities
Including volunteer experience in a resume will help the individual to gain more opportunities. According to stats, 76% of career advisers say that a candidate with volunteer experience is more likely to get the job. Focus on the title and mention details in the description.
Virtual volunteering is an accomplished team activity, and people with volunteer work can easily understand the team and ensure a seamless workflow. People with volunteer experience has more knowledge to contribute the best to their position.
b. Enhance your Network
Volunteering is a great way to make new connections, working at various organizations and multiple positions encourage people to interact. Coordinators conduct volunteer interaction sessions for individual interaction, which is one of the best ways to understand people and their perception of happening events.
Exchange of information will also provide a better volunteer experience and make you serve better. Volunteers can find new opportunities and collaborate with new organizations.
c. Learn New Skills in a Low-risk Environment
Virtual volunteering enables the people to learn more through volunteering than any other paid online course. Hands-on experience is always essential to understand the in-depth concept of work, and volunteering is the best way to gain practical experience. Volunteers can have skill development and volunteer experience as two significant benefits for their service, which helps in career development. Volunteers can test their skills and have regular feedback on the work.
d. Share the Experience at your Time
Volunteering enables you to share your knowledge and learn from others. People can share their lessons with others at a scheduled time. Mentoring virtually can help students understand more in a better way for their careers. Virtual volunteering has a vast audience, which is the best stage for you to expand your vision.
Importance of Monitoring & Safety
Successful virtual volunteering takes accomplished teamwork, safety, and consistent monitoring. Coordinators must perform detailed background and experience check of the candidate before assigning. Volunteer management tools make it easy for organizations/coordinators to gather possible information of any volunteer.
Restricting the application with relevant experience volunteers can help in assigning the right person to the position. Coordinators must provide a clear description of work, and timing will help volunteers choose their suitable position. Make sure the volunteers have the setup to contribute seamlessly.
Choose multiple ways to engage with volunteers, which allows you to know the progress of the assigned work. Conduct interactive sessions and create programs to have regular discussions for better understanding.
Conclusion: Healthy and Virtual Volunteering
Volunteering is a healthy practice, and using the online platform can help coordinators & volunteers to maintain their services. Many nonprofit organizations gradually implement virtual volunteering. Choosing a volunteer management tool can reduce your manual process and provides easy monitoring. Regular background checks, seamless volunteer management, and mobile app capabilities extend your services to more communities
