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Why Volunteer?

Why Volunteer?. http://www.getinvolved.ca/givideos/zac-vine /. Why Volunteer?. Valuable work e xperience (yes, unpaid work is still valuable!) Career exploration (likes/dislikes) Meet people, become part of the community Travel Help someone Health Benefits!. Health Benefits.

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Why Volunteer?

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  1. Why Volunteer? • http://www.getinvolved.ca/givideos/zac-vine/

  2. Why Volunteer? • Valuable work experience (yes, unpaid work is still valuable!) • Career exploration (likes/dislikes) • Meet people, become part of the community • Travel • Help someone • Health Benefits!

  3. Health Benefits • Volunteering has been linked with: • Lower levels of stress and anxiety • Lower levels of depression • Better physical health/less trips to the doctor • Increased happiness

  4. Finding the Right Fit • What are my skills and strengths? • How much time do I want to commit? • What am I passionate about? • Do I want to lead others or do I prefer to be assigned a role or task(s)? • What type of organization do I want to volunteer with (non-profit, government, corporation)? • What can the organization offer me in terms of a volunteer experience (training, skill-building) • Do I want to travel or stay near home to volunteer? • Do I want a structured opportunity or one with more flexibility?

  5. Getting Started Career Services Centre – 4th floor Student Union Bldg • Drop in or book Career Advising for resume writing, job search, etc. • Help with volunteer search (My.Dal, MyCareer) • Workshops • Interview Skills • Resume and cover letter writing • Skill Identification • Effective Job Search Techniques http://www.dal.ca/campus_life/student_services/student-careers-and-leadership-development/job-and-career-search/winter-programming.html

  6. Getting Started • http://www.halifax.ca/volunteerservices/ • http://www.halifax.ca/hrmyouth/volunteer/ • http://volunteer.ca/ • http://www.fusionhalifax.ca/en/home/ourcity/volunteerinhalifax/default.aspx • http://getvolunteering.ca/ • http://www.getinvolved.ca/

  7. Other Resources for Getting Started • Online Resources: http://www.dal.ca/campus_life/student_services/student-careers-and-leadership-development/job-and-career-search/resources-and-career-tools.html • Volunteer Fair at Dal each Spring (check with Career Services Centre for date)

  8. How to Approach an Organization • Be professional (resume, cover letter) • Demonstrate that you’ve researched the organization • Explain your goals and what you have to offer • Be realistic with your time commitment and expectations • Ask whether there is a formal process (application) • Follow up, phone or in person if you can

  9. Get the most out of your experience • Pick something you’re passionate about • Don’t overcommit • Treat volunteering like a job (show up on time, be professional, etc.) • Be a good ambassador for your organization • Keep track of your new learning, skills, and accomplishments • Network and get references • Stick with one organization long term • Have fun!

  10. Keep Track of Your Accomplishments • Update your resume with your volunteer work • Keep current volunteer references • Dalhousie’s Co-Curricular Record

  11. Co-curricular record Dalhousie’s Co-Curricular Record (CCR) is an official document from Dalhousie that will recognize your accomplishments and the experiential learning that occurs outside of the classroom, including campus-life and community engagement, volunteer and service leadership, and awards for exemplary contributions.

  12. Watch the Co-curricular record video (click on the CCR logo below):

  13. CCR Categories • CCR will recognize: • Leadership (Student Held Positions) • Campus and Community Engagement • Course-Related Service Learning or Experiential Learning • Awards and Recognition • Training and Development

  14. How to start a CCR You can gain access to the CCR platform through myCareer: • Login to MyDal. • Click the 'Services' tab. • Click the 'Open myCareer' button.

  15. DALConnects program • Co-curricular certificate program • Leadership and community engagement • Interactive Workshops: http://www.dal.ca/campus_life/student_services/student-careers-and-leadership-development/DALead/dalconnectsworkshops.html • Recognized on CCR and in certificate form

  16. Get Out There!!!

  17. References • Fernandez, S., James, R., & Mentally Healthy, W. A. (2007). Volunteering for Happiness and Health.Newsletter of the Australian Health Promotion Association, Update 3. Retrieved from: http://www.trenchhealth.com.au/articles/VolunteerForHappiness.pdf • Librett, J., Yore, M. M., Buchner, D. M., Schmidt, T. L. (2005). Take Pride in America’s Health: Volunteering as a Gateway to Physical Activity. American Journal of Health Education, Jan/Feb, 32 (1). Retrieved from: http://www.funoutdoors.com/files/VolunteerHealth.pdf • Kellicker, P., Randall, B. (2013). Volunteering Vacations: The Health Benefits of Helping Others. Retrieved from: http://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=78992

  18. Interested in learning more about the benefits of volunteering? • http://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=78992 (Link includes additional research sources and information on international volunteering)

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