Welcome to United Way's Volunteer Connection online volunteer recruiting and referral site. We are so pleased that you are interested in using our program to help give back to our community and make it a better place. We hope that you will utilize our database to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

Please take a minute and become a registered user of our site. By becoming a registered user, you can establish a volunteer profile, receive automatic emails about service opportunities, and search by issue area, and geography - you can even search by key words and your schedule. Registering is the best way to find the right opportunity for you to make a difference and shine as a volunteer!

If you have been thinking about volunteering, and don't know how to get started, spend a moment and search our database of volunteer opportunities. You will be amazed by the many ways that you can make a difference by giving just a few hours of your time.

General Questions about Volunteering

Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions we hear from volunteers. They include some general questions about volunteering, as well as questions pertaining to the use of the Volunteer Connection website. For any questions not answered, please call Volunteer Connection at (585) 242-6474, or email us volunteer@uwrochester.org. If you represent an agency, visit the Information for Agencies page.

Why should I volunteer?

There are many benefits to volunteering. Not only are you helping others - you are helping yourself in some of all of the following ways:

• Feeling healthier and happier
• Increased self-esteem
• Networking and connections
• Developing new skills
• A greater sense of balance.
• Volunteers of all ages and all walks of life agree that by giving, they receive a great deal.

What should I consider if I want to volunteer?
You may want to consider this basic 5 step guide:

Step 1 - Explore your motivations. Identify your personal goals. Knowing your motivations will help you better choose a volunteer position that's right for you. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to volunteer? What are my goals? Do I want to make a difference in my career, my social life, my community, or something else?" Your goals will direct your search.

Step 2 - Do a personal inventory. Assess your skills and interests. What are you good at? What do you enjoy? What skills would you like to improve? If you have volunteered in the past, you can think about the things you liked the most and least about your experience. Be specific. Do you like working indoors or outdoors? Independently or with others? Would you choose to work in a behind-the -scenes position, such as a clerical assistant in the office of a food bank, or in a position that provides direct service, such as a court advocate for abused children?

Step 3 - Focus! Choose an Issue! What are you interested in? The environment, animals, the arts, consumer advocacy? If you want to work in human services, consider the issues that move you most, for example, hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, literacy or disability rights. Think about how you can apply your skills and interests to your chosen issues.

Step 4 - Evaluate Your Schedule. Be realistic. After completing the above steps, you may feel anxious to get started. Before you do, try making a chart of the number of hours you spend on daily activities--job, family, friends, hobbies, chores, etc.--and see how much time is left. Then decide how many of these hours you are willing to donate to your cause. Don't be dismayed by a limited schedule; many volunteer positions are available in the evenings and weekends, with time commitments of as little as 2-3 hours per month.

Step 5 - Use Volunteer Connection! United Way's Volunteer Connection is the local referral resource for volunteers. Through our comprehensive online database and our volunteer associates, we can match your skills, interests and schedule to agencies that need your help. In addition to referral services, Volunteer Connection conducts programs for corporate employees such as Day of Caring and Corporate Team Matching. Volunteer Connection provides information for your volunteer needs.

Helpful Tips & Hints for Volunteering
Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind as you begin to explore the wonderful world of volunteering. Remember our staff and volunteer associates are available to help you at any step along the way!

• Be realistic and clear about the amount of time you can commit. It is easier to start small and increase your commitment than to have to back out because your schedule is overwhelming you.
• Visit the organization you are interested in before committing yourself. Get a sense of the staff and clients you will be working with and an overall feel for the environment.
• Find out about the agency's purpose and how your role as a volunteer fits into that mission. Sometimes what may seem an insignificant contribution to you makes all the difference to the people you are assisting.
• Ask for a job description of your volunteer work. It helps you decide if the work is an appropriate fit for you, and it provides a set of standards or expectations when you do volunteer. Ask about training and supervision. If an organization is asking you to perform a task, will they provide the support necessary for you to be successful?
• Volunteering is an opportunity for personal growth. Don't be reluctant to request an evaluation of the work that you perform or a letter of recommendation, should you decide to list your volunteer service on a school or job application.
• Go for it! You get out of your volunteer work what you put into it.

Do I have rights and responsibilities as a volunteer?
Yes, they are as follows:

Responsibilities: Be Honest about Goals, Skills, Limitations and Motivations Fulfill Your Commitment Maintain Confidentiality Cooperate With Staff Be Flexible and Open-Minded Stay Informed Participate in Personal Development Ask for Help - its OK! Understand Your Role as a Volunteer

Rights: Receive a Clear, Appropriate Assignment Fulfilling Work Orientation and Training Informed Involvement with Agency Supervision and Support Development of Individual Potential Recognition of Service Respect as a Special Person Time put to Best Use Safe, Healthy Working Conditions

How do I know what is the best opportunity for me and how do I find it?
It depends on what you are interested in. Our website is a great tool and gives you a variety of ways that you can search for opportunities. You can enter your zip code to find opportunities closest to you, click on a social issue that interests you or you can do a full search and decide if you want to volunteer as a teen, family or group. You can also do more than one search if you have many volunteer interests. The best thing to do to really find a good fit in an opportunity is to register on our site and complete a “volunteer profile.” The volunteer profile is beneficial in finding what interests you the most. Be sure to then do an Opportunity Search to find opportunities that interest you. The best part is that it is completely FREE & EASY for you.

What if I want to change my position?
Over time, goals, interests and schedules change. Be honest with yourself and your agency about these changes. The position that seemed a perfect fit a year ago might not be so today. It's perfectly acceptable to ask for more or less work, or different responsibilities. If you are ready to move on, that's fine too. Remember that a volunteer position can be a valuable addition to your resume and a source of references.

What if I have schedule limitations?
There are many volunteer opportunities that can be done remotely as a work-at-home volunteer, and many others that offer flexible, evening or weekend opportunities. Perform an Opportunity Search to find the opportunity that best fits your schedule! You may also be interested in viewing one-time volunteer opportunities on our Calendar.

General Questions about Using Volunteer Connection

What if I have trouble logging in?
Make sure you have “cookies” enabled on your browser. Go to Volunteer Login. Click on “need help logging in?” Scroll down to the cookies area and click on “test your browser.” This will let you know if you have cookies enabled or not. If you do not have cookies, you need to follow the instructions to have them set up on your browser.

Does it cost me anything to use Volunteer Connection’s website to search for opportunities?
No, it is completely free. Our mission is to connect people and opportunities for effective volunteer community service.
Do I have to register in order to use the “Opportunity Search” function?
No, you do not have to register to use the search function. However, registering with United Way's Volunteer Connection gives you an opportunity to find out about new volunteer opportunities that match your profile when they are entered into the website via email, so that you don't have to come back to our site all the time. So register today and help Volunteer Connection help you make a difference in our community!

What if no one responds to my request as a volunteer?
If more than a week has passed and no one responds to your request, email Volunteer Connection at volunteer@uwrochester.org or call us at 585-242-6474. Volunteer Connection encourages agencies to respond to all volunteers in a timely manner. Please tell us specifics of your situation (dates, person called, etc.) and we will also attempt to follow up with the agency for you.
Can I search for a specific agency by name?
Yes, click on Opportunity Search and then click on “Agencies” on the second navigation bar above the search area. Type in the specific agency that you are looking for or a portion of their name and the system will find them for you. Be sure to also click on “View Opps” to see their current volunteer needs.

What's the best opportunity for my group?
Use our online search to determine the best opportunity for your group. If you are unable to find a match, please call Volunteer Connection at 242-6474 and speak with a volunteer associate or send an email to volunteer@uwrochester.org. Group projects can be designed for you based on how many people you need to engage, in what kind of setting you would like to volunteer, and what the group's goals may be (such as team building skills).

Who do I contact at if I have a problem while volunteering?
Volunteer Connection does not manage volunteer programs at nonprofit agencies, we only make the connection between you and the project. We suggest that you talk with volunteer coordinator or whoever is in charge at the agency to be sure you understand your role. We do encourage you to notify Volunteer Connection so that we may note this experience for future program referrals. To notify Volunteer Connection of any problems, you may call us at (585) 242-6499 or email volunteer@uwrochester.org.