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Virtual volunteering|
Find out how your organisation can attract new virtual volunteers through Do-it.
What is virtual volunteering?
An opportunity is appropriate for virtual volunteering if:
- Volunteers can fulfil their role in whole or in part from any location, so their physical presence is not required at an organisation's premises or even a specific area; and
- A significant amount of the volunteering is carried out through using online tools such as the internet, email or via the telephone.
Why is it important to do this?
When an opportunity is uploaded on to Do-it and has been ticked as a virtual opportunity it will also appear on the Choose Action pages of TheSite.org. Tagging opportunities correctly will therefore result in a more accurate search for the volunteer.
Incorporating virtual volunteering opportunities into your organisation provides you with new ways to involve volunteers. You can attract people who may not have been able to volunteer before as they might have faced location or time restraints or have access concerns. People who prefer not to volunteer onsite may be willing to do so from their home and have access to a computer or telephone; in essence you are offering a very flexible opportunity. As a result, your organisation can benefit from involving a greater amount of volunteers in more diverse and flexible opportunities.
Examples
Remember, a virtual volunteering role involves using online tools such as the internet/email or telephone and can be done in the volunteer's preferred location.
Website designer/moderator/developer: This role wouldinvolve working on appropriate areas of an organisation's website.
Proof reader: Making sure that all content is written to house style using correct grammar. This could be done via email and you may be needed to proof read publicity material, newsletters and website content.
Researcher: Searching online for relevant information, documents and contacts, then gathering statistics and analysing the information.
Marketing and PR Officer: Promoting a project or organisation through online networks such as email or internet forums. This could include developing an online forumandcreating web space for people to communicate with others.
Committee Member: Activities could include making committee decisions, giving feedback about issues, designs and branding. This can be a virtual volunteering opportunity if the role is home-based and involves communicating mainly online or on the telephone, only attending face-to-face meetings rarely.
E-Mentor/Telephone helpline advisor: Proving support and advice via online tools and the telephone.
Photographer: Taking photographs for the organisation.
Bloggers: Creating online entries to promote the organisation or project. This could incorporate gaining people's opinions on relevant topics and inspiring them to get involved.
Making Podcasts/Vodcasts: Creating and distributing audio and video content about the organisation's chosen topic.
