Lending a Hand: How to Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, learn new skills and meet new people. It can also be a rewarding and enriching experience, both personally and professionally.
This comes as no surprise to many NCMIC employees. Last year, employees volunteered almost 300 hours and gave tens of thousands of dollars to charity. More than a third of NCMIC’s workforce participated in at least one charitable effort in 2022.
It’s easy to see why employees give back—NCMIC fully supports their efforts in several meaningful ways. Whether it’s matching donations up to $500 a year, giving employees one day of volunteer time off or making a $2,500 contribution to an organization where the employee serves on its board, NCMIC makes it easy to get involved.
In the spirit of United Way week (Oct. 9-13), here are some tips for getting in the spirit of giving by volunteering your time:
Choose a cause that you're passionate about. This will make the experience more enjoyable and meaningful for you. Think about what issues matter most to you, and what kind of impact you want to have.
Identify the skills and knowledge that you can offer. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Even if you don't have any specific skills or experience, there are still ways to volunteer. Many organizations need help with simple tasks like administrative work, data entry, or event planning.
Research volunteer opportunities in your community. There are many different ways to volunteer, so you're sure to find something that's a good fit for you. You can search online, ask friends and family members for recommendations or contact local nonprofits directly.
Contact the organization that you're interested in volunteering with. Most organizations have a website or contact form where you can learn more about their volunteer opportunities and apply. Be sure to include your skills and experience in your application and let them know how much time you're able to commit to volunteering.
Attend any required training. Once you've been accepted for a volunteer position, you may be required to attend some training. This training will teach you about the organization's mission, values and policies. It will also give you the skills and knowledge that you need to be a successful volunteer.
Here are a few additional tips for getting into volunteering:
Start small. If you're not sure how much time you can commit to volunteering, start with a small commitment. You can always volunteer more time later if you're able.
Be flexible. Be willing to try different volunteer opportunities and tasks. This will help you find something that you're passionate about and that's a good fit for your skills and schedule.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're not sure how to do something, don't be afraid to ask for help from other volunteers or staff members.
Have fun! Volunteering should be an enjoyable experience. If you're not having fun, you're less likely to stick with it.
If you're interested in getting into volunteering, check out some of these opportunities:
Visit Volunteer United, United Way’s Central Iowa Volunteer Hub. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities posted by local nonprofits.
Volunteer Match is a way for people to discover meaningful volunteer opportunities in their area. The site lists volunteer opportunities by city, giving people easy way to access listings.
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines provides charitable giving, connects donors with causes they care about and provides leadership for important community issues.
Leadership Link connects nonprofits with volunteer leaders. Nonprofits can post their volunteer leadership opportunities and interested volunteers can search for opportunities to become involved.