Virtual volunteering

Added to Do-it knowledge bank on April 14, 2010

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
• A significant amount of the volunteering is carried out through using the internet, email and telephone. 

Why is it important to do this?

Your organisation can benefit from involving a greater number of volunteers, and it is a way of attracting people who would otherwise be unavailable due to location, time or access restraints. 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.

Examples

Website designer/moderator/developer: This role would involve working on appropriate areas of an organisation's website.

Proofreader: Making sure all content is written to house style using correct grammar. This could be done via email and you may be required 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 forum and creating 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.

How to specify if the opportunity is virtual

Find out more information about virtual volunteering