| For almost every service that is provided for pay, | | | | cases, service opportunities do not require volunteers |
| there exists the need and opportunity for that | | | | to possess official training. For example, helping to |
| service for free through community service | | | | build houses does not automatically require one to |
| programs. From free health care to free gardening | | | | have experience or training in construction, and |
| services; if you have a skill or interest that you feel | | | | volunteering to beautify natural areas doesn't require |
| compelled to share with those in need, you can easily | | | | official training in landscaping or gardening. |
| find a community service organization that will put | | | | Do you Have to Donate a Certain Amount of Time? |
| you in contact with service opportunities that fulfill | | | | In most cases, service projects require people to |
| your desires. In most cases, people are aware of the | | | | commit a certain amount of scheduled time. |
| fact that they can use almost any of their skills to | | | | However, the amount of time that volunteers are |
| help the underprivileged. But they often have some | | | | able or willing to commit is usually negotiable. |
| basic questions about community service concerning | | | | Sometimes, in a moment of passion, volunteers |
| the criteria for performing service work. Below, we | | | | commit more time toward a project than is feasible |
| offer answers to some commonly asked questions | | | | with their daily schedule, which ends up either |
| about performing service work for volunteer | | | | complicating a person's schedule if they stick with the |
| organizations. | | | | project or complicating the project's schedule if they |
| Do Volunteers Have to be a Certain Age? | | | | don't. The most common mistake that people make |
| Generally, there isn't an age limit imposed on | | | | when committing time to service projects is not |
| volunteers. From minor children to senior citizens, | | | | allowing for enough relaxation time. For example, if |
| volunteer organizations are usually wiling to accept | | | | you work 40 hours a week, it may be a bad idea to |
| assistance from whoever is willing to offer it. | | | | commit your entire weekend over the course of a |
| However, some organizations focus on recruiting | | | | month to a service project. |
| volunteers in a certain age group. For example, there | | | | Can you Travel to Other Areas for Free? |
| are numerous organizations that only work with highs | | | | For people that are interested in performing service |
| school and college age students. In addition, there is | | | | work in other states or countries, the deciding factor |
| usually an age limit regarding whether or not a minor | | | | is usually how much money they'll have to put |
| child must have his or her parents present when | | | | toward travel and lodging. For out of town service |
| performing volunteer work. In the case of young | | | | projects, it's not uncommon for workers to have |
| children, parents usually incorporate the child as part | | | | their travel and lodging paid for. But neither is it |
| of the entire family performing service work. | | | | uncommon for workers to pay a portion of travel |
| Do Volunteers Need Special Training? | | | | expenses when full funding isn't available. To make |
| Depending on the nature of the work, volunteers | | | | remote service opportunities more feasible, |
| may need special training. In the case of free heath | | | | volunteers often conduct fundraising campaigns and |
| care, free financial advice, free counseling, etc., | | | | take advantage of donor lists available through |
| volunteers must have official training that allows them | | | | volunteer organizations. |
| to function in an expert capacity. However, in most | | | | |