Q: I resolve to give back to my community in 2011; what tips does BBB have for volunteering?
A: Great question, and hopefully others will join you in this resolve. Donating your time to a charity is in many ways similar to deciding to make a cash donation. You want to know that the charity you are considering is accountable and will use your time and talent effectively. If you have made giving back part of your New Year’s resolutions, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance recommends taking five steps to make sure your volunteering has a big impact.
Much of the great work that charities perform is made possible because of volunteers and the number of people giving their time continues to grow. According to the most recent numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 63.4 million people volunteered for an organization in 2009, or 26.4 percent of the U.S. population.
Particularly in this tough economy, charities need volunteers to help the community and those in need.
Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding experience, but you want to be thoughtful and do your research when you give your time, just as if you were giving money.