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From Donna
Fisher, CSP
Make the World a Better Place and Grow Your Business in the
Process
One of the best places to network is in volunteer organizations.
Besides putting your skills to good use at a cause you believe
in, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to other
like-minded individuals, who may become, or refer you to,
prospective clients, partners, or employers for you.
Nonprofit organizations all over the world are benefiting
from the addition of virtual volunteer opportunities to their
volunteer programs. With these online opportunities, volunteers
often find that they have more time to give because there
is no travel time required and they can often be even more
efficient in their own environment. Listed below are some
of the types of projects that are easy for virtual volunteers
and valuable for the organization.
Typical virtual volunteer job opportunities:
- Web development - An online community must have
a strong web presence designed to provide maximum ease and
efficiency of participation
- Translations - With global online networking there
is more and more need to have websites, press releases and
other literature available in numerous languages so that
diverse communities can connect.
- Writing press releases - Writing and sending press
releases online can make the difference in a cause getting
public attention and support.
- Writing and Proofreading - Sites that want people
coming back on a regular basis have to keep updating their
information and must make sure everything is accurate and
professional
- Graphic design - Graphics are compelling and help
to paint an emotional picture and create a powerful image
of the problems and solutions addressed by online communities
- Research - If you love to surf the internet, you'll
love this. And you'll be generating valuable information
for a good cause.
- Track legislation - If you are fascinated by the
ins and outs of government, you could be a valuable resource
for a nonprofit advocating legislation to further their
cause.
- Creating online forums - These organizations need
people who are tech savvy to host chat rooms, create online
forums, develop blogs and other internet activities.
- Writing emails - You can be a valuable resource
by helping to respond to the many emails that these online
communities are generating
- Generating sponsor support - Utilize your sales,
marketing, and negotiation skills to get sponsorships, support
and alliances that help further their cause.
- Database management - You can help an organization
be more efficient and effective with their online contacts
- Professional advisor - If you have legal, financial
or management expertise, you could be a valuable on call
advisor or member of a virtual advisory board
- E-zine and newsletter development - Making regular contact
with members of an online community are vital for it's longevity.
- E-mentoring - Depending on your background and
expertise, you might be a great e-mentor at an executive,
management or leadership level; or as an e-mentor for volunteers
in the organization or the people served by the organization.
Some people don't like to donate their services, thinking
that it somehow devalues them. In truth, there is nothing
that demonstrates the value of what you do more than to put
it to good use for a cause you believe in.
Source: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/networking/a/uc090403.htm
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