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Give it Your (Unique) Best
Posted: Sep 3, 2009 4:43 PM
Updated: Sep 3, 2009 4:43 PM
School bake-sales, scout cookie drives, church fundraisers -- we've all done our part to support a cause. But while you're perfectly capable of selling raffle tickets for two hours, is it really the best you can offer? If you could donate your talent as well as your time, if would be worth so much more.
"We don't have a volunteer deficit," says Robert Rosenthal of VolunteerMatch, an online organization that helps non-profits and civic-minded people find satisfying volunteer opportunities. "People want to give." But too often, he notes, volunteerism is an exercise in fitting square pegs into round holes. "It works better for both the organization and the volunteer if they are doing something they like."
That's exactly what happened when Pilar Groves walked into a board meeting of her daughter's youth orchestra group in Essex County, N.J. Groves, a corporate communications designer, wanted to see how she might become involved in the organization. When the board learned that she was a designer, Groves was asked to help design a brochure.
"It became pretty clear, pretty quickly, that they needed so much more," says Groves, who creates logos and other marketing materials for clients. "They had a website and they had some printed materials, but there was nothing tying the whole thing together. I thought they deserved a look that made you feel the way you feel when you hear the kids play: something vibrant and youthful."
Groves designed a logo, created a brochure and worked on the website. Most important, she helped boost the orchestra's visibility. "We've adapted the logo to use on T-shirts, and the kids love to wear them. We draw more attention to the Orchestra and make more kids aware of it."
It's easy to bite off more than you can chew -- especially when you're doing something you love. So make sure going in that you have the necessary time to commit to the project. Here are some other things to keep in mind when you're looking to lend your special skills to a cause that needs them:
Know exactly what you want to do...and what you would like to get out of the experience. If you're looking for social opportunities, find a project that's collaborative. If you're looking to make a career change or reenter the workforce, find one that lets you hone the skills that you'll need. Learn to say 'no' or 'not now.' "Ultimately," says Rosenthal, "non-profits are looking for good relationships with people, so don't be afraid to communicate your limits." Once you commit, take it as seriously as you would a job. The organization is depending on you to come through; you don't want to leave work unfinished. You also don't want to rob yourself of the experience of giving your all to something that really matters. If you have a good experience, tell other people. Organizations can always use more volunteers.For Groves, doing what she enjoys for a cause she believes in has been well worth all the time and effort she's spent: "Bringing the orchestra to life has been very satisfying. And seeing the kids say, 'Wow, I want to wear this T-shirt,' is great. My daughter is very proud to tell people her mom designed it."
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