Things to Consider About Volunteering

January 29, 2015 by Chris Novinger Filed Under: Chris Novinger

It is a new year and that calls for resolutions to strive to stay in line with for the next 52 weeks. There are many common ones to better oneself, like going to the gym, or running a certain amount of miles every week. But how about undertaking a resolution that will not only help yourself, but others. Volunteering is a noble, selfless cause that fills every party involved with a sense of purpose and generosity. While you are pondering how to get involved in the volunteering world, remember these five things before you dive in.

Know what you want to get out of your volunteered time.
Volunteering is about giving back, that is root of the entire action, but many volunteers bring home a number of intangible things with them. Volunteers can take away a learned skill from working with their hands, fundraising, or event planning. There are always the volunteers who want to help a problem in the community so they get to work and bring home a sense of community.

Know what to give.
“Just getting involved” is a common entry phrase for volunteers. Knowing what you want to put in, whether it be a skill or just manpower, can help you have that sense of purpose in a volunteer effort. When not having a plan for what you want to give to a cause can leave you feeling out of place and unfulfilled.

Know your commitment level.
Never over promise time. Be realistic with the time you can give and be honest to organizers. Humans have a tendency to want to please everyone but in volunteer efforts, its better to be upfront and honest about how much time can be given.

Know where to get involved.
Research the best ways to get involved in a cause that you feel passionate about. If you do not have one of those causes in mind, take to the internet and search for what organizations there are and how they can use your help.

Connect with the volunteering world.
Ask fellow volunteers how they got involved, how much time they spend, why they do it. Having a connection of volunteers is a great way to share and receive information about initiatives and motivations behind the rest of the volunteering world.

TO read the original article, click here.

Charity Volunteering an Philanthropy: 5 Things to Give Thanks For

November 25, 2014 by Chris Novinger Filed Under: Chris Novinger

Thanksgiving is near and in the world of charity, volunteering, and philanthropy there is much to be thankful for. The roof over our heads, our families sitting next to us, the ability to eat delicious food and share it with important people are all things that the holiday season brings forth. For the philanthropic world, there are five key trends that have many thankful this year.

The neo-rich entrepreneur class is giving much back.
The business world has seen the rise of young savvy business men with an inkling towards giving money to noble causes. GoPro founder Nick Woodson allotted $500 million after his company went public this past year, along with Oculus founder who gave $31 million to alma mater.

The rise of technology and what it means for charity.
The speed at which global crisis happens is only matched in today’s world by the rate at which it is reported to the masses. We have seen funders give money towards the Ebola outbreak without hesitation to try to curb its advanced assault on the human race.

Health improvement initiative.
A new-found health and fitness movement is sweeping the nation and the charity groups that aim to continue that and provide healthy foods to those in need are backed by great acts of giving.

Old Money.
Contrary to popular belief, those who have been born into money as of late have picked up the giving bug. These heirs and heiresses have started great charitable causes to give to those less fortunate, as well as giving to other foundations.

Foundational transparency.
For decades when anyone would make a donation to a foundation, the money would disappear, leaving the philanthropist blind to where that money went. With a new initiative this year, big foundations are opening their books much more and showing all of their allocations towards the relief or charity they claim to support.

To read more from where Chris Novinger cited from click here.

Giving back to Volunteers

November 13, 2014 by Chris Novinger Filed Under: Chris Novinger

National Philanthropy day fell on Thursday, October 30th this year and Meals on Wheels chose to celebrate the occasion by honoring Donna Harrington at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. The recognized Philanthropy day is set on the calendar each year to honor great acts of charity within communities.

This year’s honoree, Harrington was the focal point of the event in which 500 people attended. She has given much to the community through her efforts in the Meals on Wheels organization. Donna has spent countless hours, twice a week, delivering meals in her car. Not only does he deliver for MOW’s she consistently makes donations in honor of clients and other volunteers, to the organization.

What sets Harrington apart is the genuine pleasure she gets out of giving back to the community and seeing her donations be put to good use.

Meals on wheels is a national web of over 5,000 Senior Nutrition Programs, operating out of all 50 states. Supported by 2 million volunteers, the organization provides hot meals, caring sentiment and wellness checks to 2.5 million seniors who are living on their own. Recently, Meals on Wheels received a $5 million donation from the Walmart Foundation for their “We are Meals on Wheels Project”. That program was focused on grant building, public awareness, senior nutrition education, and Training Wheels Association.

To see the original article where Chris Novinger cited from, click here.