By Pete Parker
There are countless benefits associated with community volunteerism. From improving one’s health to positioning organizations for growth, the impact of “giving back” or “making a difference” can have is significant.
There’s one dilemna, however, how does someone start volunteering and where does he/she go for direction? Nevada’s very low rate (ranked 50th in the US) of 20.6% volunteerism is embarassing. When compared to the national average (26.8%) or even our next door neighbors (California 24.6%, Oregon 33.9%, Idaho 35.7%, Utah 45.4%, and Arizona 24.8%), we provide far less voluntary support to our local communities. The time is now to roll up our sleeves and lend our hands, passions, and ideas to local charitable efforts.
For many, taking the first step is very difficult. Determining which organization to select, how to approach it, how much time to offer and in what capacity, and when to make the initial contact…can be stressful, uneasy, intimidating and, to a degree, frightening.
Northern Nevada has lacked resources to identify volunteers, link them with organizations, train for easy adjustments, and provide mentoring services. Recent opportunities are starting to meet our community needs. For starters, those looking to volunteer can simply log on to www.volunteermatch.org to find a “volunteer bank” of opportunities. They may also contact Nevada Volunteers and attend classes and ask questions. For those under the age of 40, the Reno-Tahoe Young Professional Network’s engagement initiative, The Pebble Project, educates and connects young professionals with volunteer leadership positions at local non-profit organizations.
And finally, a roster containing profiles of 54 local non-profit organizations looking for volunteers can be found on the Parker Development Services website.
The most difficult part of volunteering is taking the initial step. Once you get past that fear, your involvement in the community can (and should) be an incredible experience!