STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Volunteering shouldn't be hard!

RyanJ · Coach

I volunteer at the local humane society and it took a little bit of work to actually set something up. We have so much going on there and it is always crazy, so as much as they need volunteers it is hard to find the time to train them. All the people are working w/ the animals, so no one ever finds time to talk and meet w/ the volunteers. It is kind of vicous circle. Just be patient and you may have to call a few times to get something set up.

I understand you situation completley. When you do finally get to help out you will probably love it, but it will also be really hard at times. I can't belive some of the assholes that are out there. My brother got his dog from the shelter and his life before he came to live w/ my brother is a horror story. It sometimes makes me tear up when I think about what the monsters did to this animal.

-- Edited by RyanJ at 18:24, 2005-04-26

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

i think it's pretty typical of non-profits and things like that to be a little disorganized. When I wanted to volunteer somewhere (before school) I just showed up, introduced myself and started doing things. It might be harder with something like this, where you need training, but hey, you can be even more proud of yourself for putting in the time to find out about it too....

RyanJ · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: Dizzy
"i think it's pretty typical of non-profits and things like that to be a little disorganized. When I wanted to volunteer somewhere (before school) I just showed up, introduced myself and started doing things. It might be harder with something like this, where you need training, but hey, you can be even more proud of yourself for putting in the time to find out about it too.... "

I know all the shelters in our area require training. I do a little instructional meeting once a month that just gives potential volunteers an idea of the things they maybe doing. Then if people are interested we do groups of 2 or 3 people and take them through a 5 day training program that usually takes about 2 weeks to get it all finished and then they can start helping on their own.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Their web-site states that their are training classes, and to look at the schedule. The schedule is not posted on the site. I don't expect them to bend over backwards, I just need to know when to show up.

The real part of the disappointment is that I've been carefully considering it for a year. I was really worried that I would adopt every animal in sight, or become overly emotional over the animals, so I thought and thought and thought about it, and now that I'm ready and willing--nada.

I'll keep with it, I'm just used to people being a little more responsive to a request for help.

oh well.

-gd

mikacat · Coach

greendiamond--

hang in there--I hope it works out. You will find some volunteer work at the shelter.

I have been trying to volunteer at the womens resource center for over a year and haven't been successful yet. It is to help them learn interview skills and learn to dress for work and get jobs. i hope to be able to one day volunteer there.

honey · Gucci

greendiamond & milkacat, not sure exactly where you live, but i volunteer through an organization called nycares, and they're part of a network of similar "cares" organizations in cities across the country. i've found it really easy to do since they compile all the volunteer opportunities in your area, and then you select the ones that match your interests and schedule. and you only have to go to an orientation (about 1.5 hours) and then you can volunteer. i would see if there's a chapter in your area.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I'll look into that honey. I might enjoy that.

The Humane Society did call me back finally, but I have to wait until the 10th until my training session.

I'm not a patient person, but I'm working on it.

-gd

luckylily · Gucci

I work for a non profit and do a lot of volunteer work. It is really common for non profit organizations to be understaffed and often times the staff are underpaid, really common at animal shelter. It can be really hard for staff to find the time to train and get volunteers up and running. Hang in there, once you get going they'll love you. Maybe you can offer to help run the volunteer program?