Volunteering ain't all it's cut out to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a fan of volunteering. If people are working, they should be paid for it.

Take a look at how much the leadership of these orgs get paid. It's a lot, usually. Then they run it on unpaid interns and volunteers and poorly paid fellows or entry level positions.

This is a legitimate concern both in volunteering and in making donations. But not every organization is as you describe and volunteering has rewards that money cannot duplicate.

YK, not all all leaders are making bank. Yeah, some of the big nonprofits are, but many are not.

If people want to get paid, they should apply for paying jobs.

[Anonymous]

Look on Taprootfoundation.org
Those organizations are looking for skilled volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Blood bank volunteers are super professional in my area.

Also the ushers at the theaters are all volunteers and on the older side. But you may not like that late schedule. They get to enjoy many shows!

[Anonymous]

If you are in the area, you should look at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring. They depend on their volunteers because of the volume they do, and they have an organized system. They are incredibly thoughtful about their work, open to creating solutions and how to use their resources.

I've heard good things about Small Things Matter, but I haven't volunteered with them before. Weed Warriors removes invasive plants from MoCo parks, and they will definitely put you to work.

I've also found this website helpful in matching skills. https://www.volunteermatch.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in the area, you should look at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring. They depend on their volunteers because of the volume they do, and they have an organized system. They are incredibly thoughtful about their work, open to creating solutions and how to use their resources.

I've heard good things about Small Things Matter, but I haven't volunteered with them before. Weed Warriors removes invasive plants from MoCo parks, and they will definitely put you to work.

I've also found this website helpful in matching skills. https://www.volunteermatch.org/

If this appeals to you, consider becoming a "Master Naturalist". You have to take a class which is a great way to meet like-minded people and then keep up a certain number of volunteer hours and education to maintain the certification. The organization sends out lots of volunteer and continuing education opportunities.

https://extension.umd.edu/programs/environment-natural-resources/program-areas/master-naturalist-program
https://www.udc.edu/causes/dcmnp/about/
http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

I'll post it one more time. The TapRoot foundation. They match skilled volunteers with orgs who need that skill.

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to train a volunteer for many kinds of deep work if they don’t have a firm schedule or long term commitment.

I’ve had a great time doing meal delivery and social calls for a senior citizens network and my uncle received training and does social calls to homebound veterans which he finds very fulfilling.

[Anonymous]

I volunteer with this organization. I pick up surplus food from restaurants, schools etc and deliver it to social service agencies in the area. I have one regular run and pick up others if I have free time that day. The organization is very well run and there is an app that makes the deliveries super easy.

https://foodrescue.us/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

Well, that’s depressing, if true. This is something I was planning to look into when I retire in a few years. Why do you think Montgomery County rejects so many?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

Wow - really?? I did the training in Anne Arundel and I believe everyone in my class who actually completed all of the training and requirements did become CASAs. Some dropped out through the course of the training, which is totally fine - it's an intense thing, and it's ok to realize it's not right for you right now. But I can't imagine them saying no without having an actual reason related to your ability to do the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

Wow - really?? I did the training in Anne Arundel and I believe everyone in my class who actually completed all of the training and requirements did become CASAs. Some dropped out through the course of the training, which is totally fine - it's an intense thing, and it's ok to realize it's not right for you right now. But I can't imagine them saying no without having an actual reason related to your ability to do the job.

I’m really surprised to learn the local CASA is like this. If not them, then maybe helping foster kids, boys and girls club, big brother big sister? Mentoring and tutoring seems more rewarding.

VITA is also a good suggestion.

Volunteer park rangers seem incredibly happy with what they do also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

This is not true.

Montgomery County program is actively seeking volunteers (there are always more kids to serve). They do have a very robust screening program, as they should. They will turn people down for many good reasons, and might not explain why as very sensitive information or feelings could be at play.

Reasons why people might not be accepted and might not be given an explicit explanation:
- references felt they were not a good fit for the program
- personal feelings (or agenda) the individual was unable to put aside
- personal history that could color an individual's ability to be unbiased/objective
- individual really wants to be a foster or adoptive parent and is hoping that the CASA role would be a means to an end
- observed behavior/interactions during the training sessions
- individual only willing to work with children of specific demographics

It is not a "club" - you don't develop strong connections with other volunteers, you aren't selected based on social desirability, and it isn't designed to broaden your social network. It is very serious work that is undertaken, and people bring their own baggage to the work. So they have to rigorously screen in order to protect the kids and the integrity of the program. Part of what makes it such a rewarding volunteer experience is that it is serious work, and there is a well-trained professional staff overseeing everything.

I am very sorry if the pp was rejected by CASA, but if they weren't given a reason then something occurred to indicate they would not be a good fit in this role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

Wow - really?? I did the training in Anne Arundel and I believe everyone in my class who actually completed all of the training and requirements did become CASAs. Some dropped out through the course of the training, which is totally fine - it's an intense thing, and it's ok to realize it's not right for you right now. But I can't imagine them saying no without having an actual reason related to your ability to do the job.

I’m really surprised to learn the local CASA is like this. If not them, then maybe helping foster kids, boys and girls club, big brother big sister? Mentoring and tutoring seems more rewarding.

VITA is also a good suggestion.

Volunteer park rangers seem incredibly happy with what they do also.

A bad CASA can really screw things up for a family, so it seems appropriate to screen very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at becoming a CASA.

This. Serious commitment, well run programs, you make a profound difference in a child's life.

Not for everyone, but one of the single best things I ever did with my time and energy.

County based but you can find your local chapter and tons of info here: https://nationalcasagal.org/

Great national organization but the Montgomery County program rejects most people who apply. They have applicants sit through the classes and then turn down most people and won’t even tell them why.

It’s like a club, unfortunately.

This is not true.

Montgomery County program is actively seeking volunteers (there are always more kids to serve). They do have a very robust screening program, as they should. They will turn people down for many good reasons, and might not explain why as very sensitive information or feelings could be at play.

Reasons why people might not be accepted and might not be given an explicit explanation:
- references felt they were not a good fit for the program
- personal feelings (or agenda) the individual was unable to put aside
- personal history that could color an individual's ability to be unbiased/objective
- individual really wants to be a foster or adoptive parent and is hoping that the CASA role would be a means to an end
- observed behavior/interactions during the training sessions
- individual only willing to work with children of specific demographics

It is not a "club" - you don't develop strong connections with other volunteers, you aren't selected based on social desirability, and it isn't designed to broaden your social network. It is very serious work that is undertaken, and people bring their own baggage to the work. So they have to rigorously screen in order to protect the kids and the integrity of the program. Part of what makes it such a rewarding volunteer experience is that it is serious work, and there is a well-trained professional staff overseeing everything.

I am very sorry if the pp was rejected by CASA, but if they weren't given a reason then something occurred to indicate they would not be a good fit in this role.

Yikes, that would be awful if the CASA thinks they are going to adopt the child