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Virtual Volunteering Resources
Virtual volunteering means volunteer tasks completed, in whole or in part, via the Internet and a home or work computer. It's also known as online volunteering, cyber service, online mentoring, teletutoring and various other names. Virtual volunteering allows agencies to expand the benefits of their volunteer programs, by allowing for more volunteers to participate, and by utilizing volunteers in new areas.
Many people actively search for volunteer opportunities they can complete via home or work computers, because of time constraints, personal preference, a disability or a home-based obligation that prevents them from volunteering on-site. Virtual volunteering allows anyone to contribute time and expertise to not-for-profit organizations, schools, government offices and other agencies that utilize volunteer services, from his or her home or office.
The information in this section of ServiceLeader.org will benefit volunteers as well as volunteer managers and service leaders who are interested in utilizing technology to benefit their organizations.
Examples of Virtual Volunteering
Making E-Mail Communications More Effective
Safety in Online Volunteering Programs
The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions and Answers
Questions from Agencies
Questions from Volunteers
General Information about Virtual Volunteering
The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook
What is Virtual Volunteering?
Past Online Volunteers
Online Volunteer Resources
Are You Ready to Volunteer Virtually?
Building Contacts
Databases
Document Translation Guidelines
Finding Virtual Volunteering Opportunities
Finding Volunteer Opportunities Online
Grant Research
Guidelines for Technical Assistance Volunteers
Online Handbooks for Volunteers
Online Mentoring Resources
Preventing and Dealing With Computer Viruses
Sample Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct
Tips for Volunteering Virtually
Websites Promoting Volunteerism and/or Community Service
Working with Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF)
The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook
Sample Online Assignments
Identifying and Creating Assignments for Online Volunteers
Introduction to Sample Online Assignments
Sample Assignment #1: Gathering Contact Information
Sample Assignment #2: Graphic Design
Sample Assignment #3: Online Research
Sample Assignment #4: Working within America Online
Sample Assignment #5: Gathering Media Information
Sample Assignment #6: Creating an Online Form
Sample Assignment #7: Database Help
Sample Assignment #8: Translation
Sample Assignment #9: Client Support
Sample Assignment #10: Web Development
Sample Assignment #11: Content Management
Sample Assignment #12: Research Elected Officials
Sample Assignment #13: Proofreading
Sample Assignment #14: News Watcher
Sample Assignment #15: Publishing Mentor
Sample Assignment #16: Newsletter Editing
Sample Assignment #17: Graphic Design
Volunteer Manager Resources
Online Volunteering and Email
Advocacy and Activism by Online Volunteers
Is Your Organization Ready for Virtual Volunteering?
Managing Offsite Volunteers via the Internet
Marketing Volunteer Opportunities Online
Online Discussion Groups for Volunteer Managers and Service Leaders
Online Resources for Volunteer Managers and Service Leaders
Orienting and Evaluating Volunteers for Virtual Assignments
Using the Internet to Support Volunteers
Volunteer Evaluation of Virtual Volunteering Experiences
Websites for Volunteer Managers
Working with Technical Assistance Volunteers
The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook
Volunteers with Disabilities
Accommodations for Online Volunteers who have Learning Disabilities or Emotional and Anxiety Disorders
Benefits of Virtual Volunteering for People with Disabilities
Disability-Related Online Resources
Making Your Agency Virtually Accessible to People with Disabilities
Working with Online Volunteers who have Disabilities
How can I be an online mentor?
There are currently very few programs available for individuals who want to provide mentoring completely via home or work computers.
If you work at a large corporation that has a human resources department, contact a representative and ask if your company has an employee volunteer program, and if your company is a partner with a particular school or nonprofit organization. If so, you could explore starting a new program for online volunteers at your company, or expand an existing program, building on the goals of the company's school or nonprofit partners.
The Virtual Volunteering Project has resources that can help you explore how to start an online mentoring program. But remember to get written permission from your company, and the school or the nonprofit you want to work with BEFORE trying to launch such a program!
If you do use Virtual Volunteering Project materials in your own workshop or trainings, or republish materials in your own publications, please let us know, so that we can track how this information is disseminated.
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