How can you align your volunteering efforts with your personal values?

1 Identify your values

Before you start looking for volunteering opportunities, take some time to reflect on your values. What are the issues that matter most to you? What are the causes that you support or oppose? What are the skills that you want to use or develop? Write down your answers and rank them in order of importance. This will help you narrow down your options and focus on the ones that align with your values.

2 Research the organizations

Once you have a list of potential volunteering opportunities, do some research on the organizations behind them. What is their mission, vision, and values? How do they measure their impact and accountability? How do they treat their volunteers and beneficiaries? Check their websites, social media, reviews, and reports to get a sense of their culture and reputation. You want to volunteer for an organization that shares your values, respects your contribution, and makes a difference.

3 Try out different roles

Sometimes, the best way to find out if a volunteering opportunity is right for you is to try it out. Many organizations offer short-term or one-time projects that allow you to test the waters and see if you enjoy the work and the environment. You can also look for online or virtual volunteering options that give you more flexibility and convenience. By trying out different roles, you can discover your strengths, interests, and preferences.

4 Seek feedback and support

Volunteering can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging and stressful. That's why it's important to seek feedback and support from others who share your values and goals. You can join online or offline communities of volunteers, mentors, or peers who can offer you advice, guidance, and encouragement. You can also ask for feedback from the organization or the beneficiaries to learn how you can improve your performance and impact.

5 Review and reflect

Finally, you should review and reflect on your volunteering experiences regularly. Ask yourself: How do they align with your values? How do they help you grow personally and professionally? How do they make a difference in your community? What are the benefits and challenges of your volunteering efforts? What are the areas that you want to change or explore further? By reviewing and reflecting, you can evaluate your alignment, satisfaction, and motivation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?