How to Make MOney Volunteering

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization, and fun. Every year thousands of people donate their time to help combat disease and suffering in developing countries. Many work at home in support activities such as raising funds and collecting supplies. Some volunteers travel to lend a hand in person.

They are a varied group including doctors, nurses, therapists, students, technicians, religious, missionaries and other dedicated persons with non-medical training. Some work independently, but most are at least loosely affiliated with a group or organization. Many come from North America or Europe to team up with local personnel.
Many are able to give a week or two at a time, but some dedicate years or even a whole career. Short-term volunteers often travel at their own expense, sometimes even bringing with them donated supplies, money and medicines. Many, especially long-term volunteers, receive food, housing and perhaps even a small stipend while on assignment. The total numbers of individuals actually engaged in these activities and the monetary value of their work is unknown, but in 1990 the International Medical Volunteers Association surveyed 1,000 doctors and medical students and found that 11% indicated that they would strongly consider foreign service. Of those showing such an interest, one third had already had some overseas medical experience.

Volunteers may choose from a variety of groups sponsoring medical aid work. They range from tiny informal associations to huge multinational organizations with multimillion dollar budgets. Many groups have a religious affiliation. Institutions of higher education, national governmental and world governmental organizations such as the World Health Organization support these activities both directly and indirectly through training, research and supplies. The impact of volunteer work varies from country to country. In a country like Haiti, volunteer organizations (principally missionary groups) deliver a substantial proportion of health care to the poor.

Why Volunteer?

Health professionals volunteer for many different reasons, but most often they simply want to help, to do something important, and/or to assist others in need. Many who are aware of the terrible suffering going on in the world feel that they simply must do something to help. Others travel to foreign lands because they find that their work at home has lost some of its appeal or has become routine. They find that even a short break revitalizes them. Religious conviction gives many the strength and dedication to leave their homes and loved ones to work far away under very difficult conditions or to donate money to support these programs.

Other reasons people volunteer include:

• Exposure to challenging new problems

• A chance to demonstrate commitment to and interest in the under served

• A chance to put philosophical convictions into action

• A chance to overcome new kinds of obstacles

• Encountering interesting new cultures and customs

• The adventure of travel to exotic, faraway lands

• A chance to learn new skills

• A chance to teach

• Belief that such work is inherently worthwhile

• Belief that the volunteer is simply "cut out" for this type of work

• Belief that volunteering is a good life experience for self and family

• Feeling guilty that one is comparatively well off

Who Pays the Expenses?

The majority of volunteer-seeking organizations will pay for travel, food and housing only for long-term volunteers, and are usually unable to fund travel for short-term service. However, some groups can and do pay all expenses even for short stints. In contrast, other organizations (particularly some religious missionary groups) will require the volunteer to raise his or her own funds even if he or she will serve for several years at a time. Apparently, they believe this contribution adds to the missionary value of the effort.
This whole question may puzzle the volunteer who knows that the equivalent time donated in an affluent country may be worth many fold the expenses under consideration. However, most relief operations have very limited budgets, and they simply can not afford to pay these expenses. If they had more money, they could probably hire some additional local help instead. In reality most short-term volunteers give more than just their time. They often pay their own travel expenses. Some even contribute to the costs of housing and food; many even bring donated medical items with them. Many volunteers find sponsors to defray expenses of volunteering. Colleagues at work, religious groups and families are frequent donators.

What is a Career Volunteer?

This category includes two major groups of people - those who volunteer long-term (years at a time) and those who perform short-term service repeatedly (sometimes on a regular schedule, such as twice a year). Even those who get a small stipend or who have their educational bills paid by a sponsoring organization are essentially volunteers and are considered as such here. Before committing to a long-term assignment, you may want to try to ensure that the country, people, facilities and coworkers are right for you. A bad experience can deter you from a lifetime of charitable service. Some view a long-term volunteer commitment as akin to a marriage - something that requires careful consideration before entering into and constant work to maintain. Trying a short-term assignment at the site or perhaps just visiting a location before committing to a long assignment may be a very good idea.

How Do I Find the Right Organization to Volunteer With?

Although it may seem a little daunting at first, finding a suitable assignment doesn't require all that much effort if you know how to go about it. Some good ways to become started ar

Contact Volunteer-Seeking Organizations Directly
There are hundreds of organizations based both in the US and abroad that need volunteers to help carry out their humanitarian missions. Most volunteer-seeking organizations can now be contacted by email. The organizations vary greatly in their philosophies. Some have strict religious requirements, but many do not. Some have somewhat intimidating application forms, but most are reasonable. Some have short-term service available while others may require a several year commitment. A few will pay your travel expenses for short-term service, but most will not. Some organizations are tailored to help certain groups of volunteers (e.g. AMSA for Medical Students, or Interplast for plastic surgeons). Contact Organizations That Facilitate Volunteering

The IMVA maintains an on-line list of volunteer-seeking organizations, their needs and details of service. The American Academy of Pediatrics also maintains an on-line database of service opportunities which is searchable by country.
Get Leads by Word-of-Mouth
Most everyone knows or has heard of someone in his or her area who has done some kind of volunteer work. Sometimes you have just read about someone in a newspaper. If you don't have personal contacts, just ask around and you will surely find a few leads. Then go ahead and make contact (usually best in person or by telephone). You will find that most people are happy to share their experiences and give advice. Often they can introduce you to the proper contact people overseas and help to pave the way for you to make a visit or team up with an organization. Getting in touch with doctors, nurses, health care workers or other people from developing countries who are now visiting or live in your area can also be productive. Often they can connect you with friends or relatives in other parts of the world that might interest you. Another good means of acquiring contacts is through acquaintances in the diplomatic service or through people working in relief and development agencies. A personal introduction from them can help open many doors. Regardless of which approach you use, the key is simply to not be shy! Inquire Through a Religious Group
Much of the US -based non-governmental international health care is provided by private religious organizations. Whether or not you belong to such an organization, chances are you can get some information about volunteering with a project they are associated with.

Search the Internet
More and more volunteer-seeking organizations are developing home pages on the Internet though details of volunteer service positions are not yet generally listed. The Internet contains many additional sites of interest to the medical volunteer, such as travel and clinical information.

Inquire in Person While Traveling Abroad
A very effective method of finding suitable volunteer positions is to inquire in person while you are traveling. This way allows you to bypass some of the formalities that may be imposed by some of the central offices, to acquire firsthand knowledge of the people and facilities, and to negotiate directly a mutually satisfactory arrangement. The information you collect can then be shared with others. Even if a particular site is not right for you, it may be perfect for someone else.
If you are overseas and are unclear where to start your search, simply introduce yourself at whatever health care facilities or churches you come across. They can often steer you to sites and programs that may suit you.

What Makes a Successful Volunteer?

Once you have decided to go, you will probably want to do a good job. Your chances of performing well on a volunteer assignment will be better if you:

• are organized and well-prepared

• have a supportive family

• are emotionally stable and have a good sense of humor

• are a good listener

• are adaptable and able to tolerate some degree of personal discomfort

• are self-reliant and capable of improvisation when needed

• are patient, cooperative and flexible

• are interested in the world and its peoples

•  Patience and Professionalism

• Potential Pitfalls Volunteer work with a nonprofit isn’t always a one-way ticket to full-time employment.One of the biggest reasons so many volunteers aren’t considered for full-time work is ego, says a recruiter, who also advises nonprofits on how to groom volunteers into paying leadership roles.
  “When a volunteer comes in and purposely tries to overshadow staff people -- almost tries to position themselves as the one who knows everything -- that’s not good,” she says. “It’s important for volunteers to know their place, operate within the system and understand precisely what is and is not appropriate.”

• Go from Volunteer to Employee
  volunteering is a great way to get yourself considered for full-time employment. Here are three tips about how to do it right:

• Work Hard: The only way higher-ups will consider moving you from volunteer work to full-time employment is if they see they can’t live without you.

• Be Serious: Taking pride in your work goes a long way. When it comes time to hire new workers, those same people will remember your professionalism.

• Be Up Front: If your goal is full-time work, tells your boss. Armed with this knowledge, he might fast-track you to a paid position.