VOLUNTEERS – HOORAY!!!

by Ruby Lingle

Retired Extension Educator

Volunteer vocabulary

Estimated value of volunteer time in2011$21.36 per hour

YOU

Helped donate 490,024 hoursvalued at

$10,046,912.24

Characteristics:

•Men slightly more than women

•Majority 65 years and older

•Areas of religion, education andyouth service, and social orcommunity service

Types of volunteering:

•Formal – giving unpaid helpthrough groups to benefitpeople or the environment

•Informal – giving unpaid help topeople who are not relatives

Primary reasons forvolunteering:

•Power

•Achievement

•Affiliation

Volunteer Rights:

•Be a valued co-worker

•Suitable assignment

•Know about the organization

•Training

•Continuing education

•Guidance and direction

•A place to work

•Promotion and experience

•Be heard

Volunteer Responsibilities:

•Be enthusiastic and committed

•Be open and honest

•Agree to do what you can handle andaccomplish

•Participate in intake and orientation process

•Maintain confidentiality

•Fulfill commitments

•Provide feedback

•Say “no” if necessary

•Clean up after project

•Learn

Acknowledgement andRecognition