Volunteering: Finding The Right Fit

Dear Savvy Senior,

I am interested in doing some volunteer work when I retire next year but I want to find something meaningful to do. Do you have any recommendations on how to find interesting volunteer opportunities? Looking Ahead

Dear Looking:

Volunteering is a great way for retirees to maintain a social connection as well as make a positive contribution to their community. How can you find the right opportunity to satisfy your needs and interests? Here are some tips that may help.

The Right Fit

For many retirees, figuring out and finding the right kind of volunteer work is a lot like finding the right job or career. Remember what that was like? Depending on how serious you are, it will likely take some work and persistence, and you may even go through several volunteer jobs before finding one you like. To get started, here are some questions to ask yourself that may help point you in the right direction.

+ What inspires you? (It might sound obvious, but few volunteers actually take time to reflect on what really matters to them.)

+ What types of activities are you interested in?

+ How much time can you give, once a week, a few times a month, or every so often?

+ What kind of skills can you bring to a volunteer organization?

+ What types of new skills or knowledge (if any) would you like to acquire?

+ Where and how do you want to serve?

+ What do you want to gain from your experience (for example, meet new people, learn new skills, help those in need, gain exposure to a particular issue)?

Savvy Tip: While most nonprofit organizations need and want volunteers, they likely haven't thought of every way possible that they might use an individual's donated time and skills. If you have a unique idea or special skill you'd like to offer, talk with the organization you're interested in. You may be able to create your own volunteer position.

Getting Started

Agood resource to help you start your volunteer search is the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that recently launched a national volunteer awareness and recruitment campaign called "Get Involved." At www.getinvolved.gov (or call 800- 424-8867), you'll find helpful tips on how to choose volunteer work that best suits your interests, skills and availability. And, through their partnership with the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network, you can search their massive database of over 2.3 million volunteer opportunities, many of which are available right in your own community. Most of the opportunities are flexible so you can volunteer when your schedule allows.

More Help

Here are some additional groups and Web sites to help you explore your options and find your volunteering niche.

+ Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch. org) is a great Web resource for finding volunteer opportunities in your community to match your areas of interest.

+ United Way (www.unitedway.org) is widely known. Click on the "Volunteer" button to find opportunities in your area.

+ 1-800-VOLUNTEER (www.1-800- volunteer.org) is another good site for finding volunteer positions nationwide.

+ Hands On Network (www.handsonnetwork. org), a volunteer clearinghouse serves more than 50 communities around the country. They offer a broad range of activities and projects to choose from.

+ Experience Corps (www.experiencecorps. org) offers new adventures in service for people over 55. Currently available in 14 cities.

+ Next Chapter Initiative (www.civicventures.org/nextchapter) offers publications, resources and a directory of centers across the country, many of which offer retirees guidance on volunteering.

Healthy Choice

Volunteering has more benefits than you may realize. Through volunteer service, you not only strengthen and improve the quality of life within your community, you can also help yourself and others to live happier, healthier and more productive lives. In fact, several studies suggest that seniors who volunteer regularly actually live longer and have fewer medical problems.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior books.