Would you like to get involved in a cause that's close to your heart? Have you always wanted to volunteer with nonprofit but never took the plunge? In this article, you'll find everything you need to know to become a (super) volunteer!
What you need to know about volunteering before getting involved
What exactly is a volunteer?
A volunteer is a person who gives voluntary help without being paid. Volunteers give their time to a nonprofit or general interest organization without expecting any financial compensation.
In 2019, in France , 1 in 4 citizens said they volunteered with a nonprofit organization. Younger generations (under 35 and 35-49) are getting more and more involved, particularly with the rise of occasional volunteering. So why not get involved ?
Can anyone become a volunteer?
Whether you're an employee, a student, unemployed or retired: if you have a little free time and the desire to act in the public interest, volunteering is for you!
There is no minimum age to become a volunteer (subject to authorization from parents or legal guardians for people under 16), and most of the missions offered by associations do not require any particular experience.
Volunteering is therefore open to all: all you need is motivation and, of course, the ability to meet your commitments, as defined in advance withnonprofit.
Becoming a volunteer: legal aspects
When you make a commitment to nonprofit, the organization is under no legal obligation to provide you with a contract or agreement. However, volunteer contracts are recommended to define the rights and obligations of each party (mission schedules, volunteer responsibilities, reimbursement of any expenses incurred, etc.). (source)
Don't hesitate to discuss this aspect with thenonprofit for which you would like to become a volunteer !
Read also: Joining nonprofit : everything you need to know
5 reasons to become a volunteer
Getting involved to feel useful
One of the main reasons for becoming a volunteer is to feel useful to society. In fact, according to France Bénévolat, doing a good deed and helping to improve society in a concrete way is the number one reason that encourages 70% of volunteers to take the plunge.
Elsa wanted to get involved in her neighborhood and give of her time to help the most disadvantaged, which is why she joinednonprofit L'un est L'autre to help cook and distribute evening meals:
"It was great to help a small neighborhood association, with a very human atmosphere where everyone knows each other and pulls together to bring essential help to people in need."
Volunteer to support a cause close to your heart
Feeling useful is even more powerful when you're supporting a cause that's close to your heart!
Volunteering with nonprofit gives you the opportunity to get involved in a cause that's close to your heart.
Do you love animals? Make a commitment to their well-being by joining a nonprofit animal protection organization such as the SPA shelters for pets or Welfarm for farm animals.
Are you concerned about the isolation of seniors? Put a smile back on their faces by getting involved with a nonprofit organization like Paris en compagnie or Les Petits Frères des Pauvres.
There's no shortage of examples and causes to support, so all that's left is to find your own!
Diane was keen to commit herself to the well-being of women in precarious situations, she recounts:
Many people can't or don't dare to indulge in wellness practices that could contribute to their development and fulfillment. That's why I got in touch withnonprofit Ikambere, which helps women living in precarious conditions and with chronic illnesses (HIV, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) to become self-sufficient. Twice a month, I offer these women an hour's massage so that they can have a moment of relaxation all to themselves.
Putting your skills to work for the common good
Joining nonprofit is also a way of putting your skills to work for a cause and the general interest. Are you wondering whether your skills could be useful to nonprofit ? Whether you're an expert in communications, a whiz at accounting or an outstanding creative thinker, all skills are useful at nonprofit ! Getting involved with nonprofit will enable you to put your skills to good use, and deploy them from a different angle.
Invest in nonprofit to acquire new skills and experience
Getting involved with nonprofit is also a good way of acquiring new skills. Project management, logistics, event organization... Depending on the tasks assigned to you, you can develop new skills that you can then put to good use! This applies to students who are looking for their first job and want to enhance their CV, but not only! For professionals, getting involved with nonprofit enables you to develop not only new technical skills, but also the human skills that are essential in a company (empathy, perspective-taking, communication...). You can even carry out missions with your colleagues, strengthening your team spirit!
Roxane, a volunteer withnonprofit La Cloche, talks about how she developed her audio editing skills:
"In thenonprofit podcast project, I have the role of audio editor. They send me the recordings, I cut them up, add sound transitions, improve the sound... I learned how to do all this thanks to anothernonprofit volunteer! At first, it was supposed to be a one-off job, but in the end, as I like the project, I continue every Friday!"
Meet new people
Above all, volunteering is a human adventure and a great way to meet new people who share your values. Volunteer meetings, team missions: there are plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas with other volunteers in the community, and to forge links around your shared commitment. Joining nonprofit also means stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting people you might not otherwise have spoken to, both other volunteers and the beneficiaries ofnonprofit.
This is the case of Ophélia, who looks back on her experience of a theater workshop withnonprofit Singa:
"Not everyone spoke perfect French so we had to get rid of the spoken word and concentrate on body language and emotions. As a result we managed to create a strong bond quickly and...we had a lot of fun!"
Discover concrete solidarity actions and associations to help the homeless.
6 steps to becoming a volunteer
Find the cause that drives
As you can imagine, the first step in becoming a volunteer is to find the cause you want to support.
There are a wide variety of causes you can support: environmental protection, the fight against isolation of the elderly, access to education, support for refugees...
To find the right cause to give your time to, ask yourself which issues are closest to your heart and which are closest to your values and commitments!
Choosenonprofit to support
Once you've identified the cause you'd like to support, it's time to take a look at the associations that work on its behalf! When we think of volunteering, we often think first of large charities such as Restos du Cœur, Secours Populaire or the SPA. These national organizations receive a great deal of media coverage, and welcome many volunteers every year. Don't hesitate to contact your local branches to find out about their volunteer needs.
You may also be interested in smaller associations that are also in great need of volunteers. This is particularly true of local and neighborhood associations, which operate in a smaller area for nearby beneficiaries.
Note that associations often organize information sessions on their projects and activities for future volunteers.
Visit thenonprofit website or social networks to find out about upcoming information sessions.
Do you have access to our platform? Take a stroll through the missions to discover all our partner associations!
Define how much time you can give to thenonprofit
The most important question to ask yourself before embarking on the adventure of volunteering is: how much time do you have to give? 1 day a week, 1 day a month, a few hours a year? Depending on your availability, you can adapt your missions by discussing them with thenonprofit of your choice.
Volunteer close to home or remotely?
For some time now, remote missions have been becoming increasingly popular! Accompanying a beneficiary, sponsoring skills for a nonprofit ... The various communication tools allow volunteers to carry out their missions from home!
Choosing the right commitment format
There are several types of assignment to suit your wishes, your availability and the needs ofnonprofit. On wenabi, assignments are divided into 3 categories:
- Helping hands: volunteer assignments that do not require any particular expertise and can be carried out on an ad hoc basis (distributing meals, helping out at an event, etc.).
- Skills sponsorship: assignments involving a transfer of skills (HR consulting, communications assistance, accounting assistance, etc.).
- Sponsorship missions: missions requiring a longer commitment to support a beneficiary (tutoring, etc.).
Becoming a volunteer means above all respecting your commitments
Even if you don't have a contract withnonprofit, the organization expects you to respect certain rules: be kind to other volunteers andnonprofit beneficiaries, adopt a professional attitude (don't be late for missions or meetings, let the managers know if you can't make it).
Thenonprofit organization for which you are about to become a volunteer relies on you and other volunteers to carry out its activities, so don't let it down!
Read also: Untapped potential: a closer look at the barriers to engagement
Find your first volunteer mission: 3 commitment missions that are popular on the wenabi platform!
Cook and distribute meals with Les Petites Cantines
Do you enjoy cooking and creating links with people from all walks of life? nonprofit Les Petites Cantines offers a place open to all, with the aim of developing local links and promoting sustainable food. Volunteers prepare the meals, which are then enjoyed by all, at free prices! It's a great mission to undertake with your colleagues!
Accompany a student for 3 to 6 months in his/her professional integration with Article 1
The Dema1n mentoring program helps students succeed in their studies and enter the job market. The role of the volunteer? Offer personalized support to a student to meet specific needs over a period of 3 to 6 months. Your professional experience is invaluable to these associations!
Hands in the earth & DIY with Sage
La Sauge is a nonprofit that promotes urban agriculture in Paris and Nantes. It relies on many volunteers to maintain its spaces (planting, sowing, DIY). Join their team to learn more about agroecology, urban agriculture and eco-construction!
Volunteer with your company
Did you know? You can volunteer ... on your own time! With wenabi, your employer can give you up to 1 hour a month of your working time to get involved with thenonprofit of your choice!
Are you ready to get involved in a cause and lend a hand at nonprofit ? Don't wait any longer!
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