If you are interested in volunteering, but aren't sure where to begin, try asking yourself the following questions to determine what kind of volunteer opportunities will be best suited to you:

• If you had all the human and financial resources in the world, what problem would you solve, what would you change or what would you create? Your answer will tell you what matters the most to you.
• What kind of time commitment are you will to make? Are you looking for a regular/weekly volunteer commitment or a short-term/one-time opportunity?
• Would you like to volunteer with other people or by yourself? One on one or in groups?
• Would you like to volunteer behind the scenes, in an office, sit on boards or committees, or provide direct services to clients?
• If you would like to volunteer away from home, where is the best location for you? Near your home, your work or your child's day care? Is transportation a problem?
• Do you have specific skills or talents you would like to share with an organization? Would you like to develop a specific skill? What are your personal goals? Would you like to re-enter the workforce?
• Do you hope to meet new people? Practise speaking English?
• Are you willing to take training?
• Do you want something easy and comfortable, or something which stretches you?

The answers to these questions will provide you with an outline of your volunteer expectations. The registration form will ask you to check off all activities which attract you. During the volunteer registration process, a current list of over one hundred volunteer jobs will be given to you from which you can choose up to five opportunities to apply for.

Some tips taken from www.volunteer.ca Volunteer Canada is a national resource for volunteering.

View 'Because of a Volunteer' Presentation