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BAY AREA VOLUNTEER INFORMATION FAQ


This FAQ consists of frequently asked questions about volunteer opportunities
in the San Francisco Bay Area.  This FAQ and a full listing of volunteer
opportunities with over 70 Bay Area nonprofit organizations  in html format
may be found on the WWW at  http://www.meer.net/users/taylor/.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.  What is the quickest and simplest way to volunteer or find out about
volunteer opportunities?

2. What are other sources of information about volunteering?

3. What happens when I call my local Volunteer Center?

4. My schedule is uncertain.  Are there many spur of the moment opportunities?

5. My job or other circumstances make it difficult for me to commit on a regular
basis.  Furthermore, I thrive on variety.  What about short term or one time
only opportunities?

6.  I prefer working one-on-one with an individual and developing a relationship
on a more personal level.  Any suggestions?

7.  I'm interested in working with animals.  Suggestions?

8.  How can I make use of or develop my computer related skills?

9.  What sorts of opportunities exist with environmental oriented organizations?

10.  I'd like to volunteer to help out in local and national disasters (floods,
eathquakes, etc.) throughout the United States.  How do I go about this?

11.  What's it like going to help out on a national disaster with the American
Red Cross?

12.  Any helpful hints for successful volunteering?

13.  Listing of Bay Area nonprofit organizations needing volunteers.




1.  What is the quickest and simplest way to volunteer or find out about
volunteer opportunities?

    How about an 800 number for speed and simplicity?  Just dial 1-800-CARE-123
and you will be connected to your closest county Volunteer Center whose sole
purpose is to connect people in need with those with the time and talent to help.
    Or, if you have WWW access, check out the Bay Area Volunteer Information
Center at http://www.meer.net/users/taylor/ where hundreds of volunteer
opportunities with over 50 Bay Area nonprofits are listed.  These listings will give
you an overview of the types of volunteer needs that exist, where they exist, and
how to get in touch with the organizations.  You can phone the organizations
directly or call your local Volunteer Center for more information  about these organizations (if they are listed with the center) or for information from their extensive files about volunteer opportunities with other nonprofits.   At the WWW site you will also find this FAQ, tips on volunteering, and information about CB.

 2. What are other sources of information about volunteering?

     Newspapers are a good source.  Most newspapers, including small locals,
have a Calendar or Neighborhood section with a Volunteer heading listing
specific needs (sometimes short term) of local organizations.  Also, if you
come across an article about the activities of a local group that interests
you, give them a call - there is a good chance they could use volunteer help.
     Your place of work is often an excellent source.  Many employers
encourage their employees to volunteer in their communities, sometimes
on company time, and have already established relationships with local
nonprofits.  This is especially true of large companies such as Sun, Intel,
and Apple to name only a few.  Contact your company's human affairs
or human resources office.

3.  What happens when I call my local Volunteer Center?

     This varies with different volunteer centers, but they all operate in
basically the same way.  Some centers may send you a brochure or two
citing the range of opportunities they have and perhaps a questionnaire
asking about your preferences.  Others may send you a list of specific
opportunities with various organizations and the name and phone numbers
of contact people at these organizations.  Still others have nothing to send
and prefer that, as eventually happens with most volunteer centers, you
take a few minutes to be interviewed by phone or set up an appointment
for an interview at their offices.  During the interviews, the well trained
volunteer center staff will do their best to match your interests and
availability with their very extensive listings and will send or give you a
description of the opportunities that best fit and whom to contact at the
various organizations.  Some will send you a computer printout.  It is
important during the interview to be as specific and honest as possible
about your interests and requirements, to ask a lot of questions, and to
get information about several alternative opportunities because it is
possible that some will be soon filled, some will not be at all what you
expected, and some will simply not work out for variety of reasons.
Similarly, when you talk to someone at the organization, be inquisitive,
let them know your strengths, desires, and apprehensions. If it looks
good, give it a good try and it may be a great fit.  If not, don't hesitate
to politely excuse yourself and look for something else more suitable.
Volunteering should be fun and rewarding.

4. My schedule is uncertain.  Are there many spur of the moment opportunities?

    While many organizations need to know in advance how many volunteers
to expect (to schedule transportation, work loads, etc.), many activities are not
so particular.  Food sorting at food banks, gleaning (picking fruits and
vegetables that would otherwise go to waste or were missed by mechanical
harvesting), trail restoration, etc., often work on "the more the merrier" basis.
Don't hesitate to call at the last minute for most any volunteer project, you
may be needed to take the place of someone who cancelled at the last moment.

5.  My job or other circumstances make it difficult for me to commit on a regular
basis.  Furthermore, I thrive on variety.  What about short term or one time
only opportunities?

     No problem.  Most Volunteer Centers have a list of special events needing
volunteers for only a day, evening, or weekend.  For example, the San
Francisco Volunteer Center puts out a quartely Special Events volunteer calendar.
Furthermore, several organizations, such as Commuity Impact, are designed
specifically to offer a variety of one day weekend or evening projects up and
down the Peninsula.  They offer a diverse array of outings, some appropriate
for children, and have a fine newsletter.


6.    I prefer working one-on-one with an individual and developing a relationship
on a more personal level.  Any suggestions?

     You might try calling one of the Big Brother / Big Sister organizations.  They
have several different programs and are looking for individuals or couples who have
about four hours twice a month to share with young people.
     Or, how about helping someone learn to read?  The Literary Alliance of the South
Bay sponsors several different programs for those with about 2 hours per week
(you set the times) for a six month period.
     Among the benefits of volunteering are the satisfying personal relationships
that develop as a result of sustained interaction with nearly any project.


7.  I'm interested in working with animals.  Suggestions?

     CARE (Companion Animal Rescue Effort) in Campbell needs volunteers to
help place homeless animals, and your local Humane Society needs volunteers
in several areas including adoption, special events, kennel help, and care for
young or sick animals.

8.  How can I make use of or develop my computer related skills?

     SVPAL (Silicon Valley Public Access Link) is dedicated to making the
world's information resources accesible to all people living in the Silicon
Valley regardless of financial status and educational level.  This organization
provides full Internet access for only $40 per year (yes, year) and very much
needs volunteers in many areas, including hardware and system maintenance,
programming, customer support, customer contact, office support, etc.
     The Computer Recycling Center needs volunteers to repair IBM and Mac
computers that will be donated to schools, as well as office help.
     Compumentor teams up volunteer "mentors" with nonprofits, schools, and
public agencies needing computer assistance.

9. What sorts of opportunities exist with environmental oriented organizations?

     The Environmental Volunteers share their love of nature and science with
over 19,000 children in the elementary schools of San Mateo and Santa Clara.
     Hidden Villa engages children and adults in hands-on, innovative programs
promoting environmental awareness and multicultural understanding on a
beautiful 1,600 acre farm and wilderness preserve in Los Altos Hills.
     The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District  needs volunteers for
trail maintenance, tree planting, and various resource management activities.
     The Trail Center needs volunteers for their trail information, trail building
and restoration, trail mapping, and related programs.
     The Walden West Outdoor Science School, a Santa Clara County Office of
Education program, needs maintenance help for its popular and worthwhile
weekly residential outdoor school sessions.
     The Wildlands Restoration Team performs a variety of tasks geared to
removing the adverse impacts of former human activity on wild areas. They meet
Saturdays at various work sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

10.  I'd like to volunteer to help out in local and national disasters (floods,
eathquakes, etc.) throughout the United States.  How do I go about this?

     A great deal of this work is organized by the American Red Cross.  Your
local chapter can tell you about the programs and training they offer to help
communities facing disasters on both  local and national levels.  Red Cross
chapters offer a substantial number of health and safety courses (CPR,
first aid, emergency response - around $35 each) and an array of disaster
courses (damage assessment, mass care, emergency assistance to families,
shelter workshops, communications, etc. - basically free).  The safety courses
are invaluable and the disaster courses prepare volunteers to help with
emergency disaster situations. You can take a few courses, attend meetings,
and sign up to be on call for local disasters.  If you can commit for 3 to 4 week
periods and take enough courses in your specialty you can sign up to be on
call for national disasters throughout the country.


11.  What's it like going to help out on a national disaster with the American
Red Cross?

     Obviously, every situation is different for every person.  Characteristically,
there is great excitement yet apprehension as one prepares (usually on very
short notice) to fly to the disaster area (all flights and travel are usually
arranged and paid for by the Red Cross).
     Upon arrival, one is usually assigned to work in his/her specialty area at
one of several Service Centers set up in the disaster area.  For the next
three to four weeks (or less if the Center closes) one spends 8 to 11 hour days
assessing damage, making home visits to those who have suffered losses,
interviewing clients at the Center or doing whatever one's specialty is, and
filling out way too much paperwork. After work, volunteers often go out to
dinner together (Red Cross offers a very adequate food allowance) before
returning (in their shared rental car) to their single hotel room, or bunk, or
cot (generally the Red Cross arranges for the best suitable accommodations
available).  One usually gets a day off every ten days or so.  Basically, you
are thrown into a really different environment, work hard, meet a lot of nice
people, and feel good about helping a lot of people.  The exception to this
is when the job is very overstaffed, which happens not infrequently.

12.   Any helpful hints for successful volunteering?

     Probably most important is to believe in the work you are doing and to feel
that you are accomplishing something with your time.  Towards the former
objective, choose to work in an area that you care about, visit the organization
or organizations in that area, ask questions, and find out exactly what they
do and how you would be contributing to their goal.  Next, do your best to make
sure that you are needed and will be kept busy.  This may not be possible
until after the first volunteer session, but it is crucial.  There is nothing more
discouraging that to feel that your time is being wasted.  Don't give up easily,
look for alternative ways to help out, be enthusiastic and remember that you
will get out of it what you put into it.  Let the organization know if you feel you
are underutilized, give them a chance to make better use of your abilities.  If it
doesn't work out, reduce your hours or move on.  There will be many other
opportunities where you are needed and appreciated.

13.  Listing of Bay Area nonprofit organizations needing volunteers.

The following list of organizations to contact comes from the index page of the
Bay Area Volunteer Information Center home page on the WWW
(http://www.meer.net/users/taylor/) where complete information about each
organization is furnished.  This list and summary information is for those
without WWW access.

 AIDS VOLUNTEER CLEARINGHOUSE - Alameda County       (510) 419-3970
 AMERICAN RED CROSS - PALO ALTO CHAPTER                    (415)  688-0415
 BAY & VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY                                    (408) 294-6464
 BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS of SANTA CLARA COUNT    (408) 244-1911
 BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS of SF and the PENINSULA      (415) 693-7700
 CARE (Companion Animal Rescue Effort)  - Campbell                (408) 227-CARE
 CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SAN JOSE                                             (408) 944-0282
 CHILD ADVOCACY COUNCIL OF SAN MATEO AND SANTA
        CLARA COUNTIES                                                                            (415)327-8120
 CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW                                                                  (415) 903-6607
 COMMUNITY IMPACT - Peninsula                                                     (415) 323-7131
 COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY - Mountain View                  (415) 968-0836
 COMPUMENTOR - Computer skills - San Francisco                   (415) 512-7784
 COMPUTER RECYCLING CENTER - Mountain View                 (415) 428-3700
 ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERS - Palo Alto                             (415) 961-0548
 FRIENDS OUTSIDE In Santa Clara County                                     (415) 295-6033
 FOOD RUNNERS - San Francisco                                                     (415) 929-1866
 BAY & VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY                                   (408) 294-6464
 HIDDEN VILLA - environmental awareness - Los Altos               (415) 948-4690
 HOSPICE AT HOME - San Jose                                                         (408) 452-1224
 HUMANE SOCIETY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY                      (408) 727-3383
 INNVISION - poor and homeless shelster - San Jose                  (408) 292-4286
 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT                                                                        (408) 988-8915
 LITERACY ALLIANCE FOR THE SOUTH BAY                               (408) 453-6711
 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT              (415) 691-1200
 OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION
      CENTER WEST  -vocational training - Menlo Park                    (415) 322-8431
 PARENTS HELPING PARENTS - family resources, BBS            (408) 727-5775
 PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY OF SAN MATEO COUNTY   (415) 340-8200
 PLUGGED IN -East Palo Alto                                                                  (415) 322-1134
 PROJECT OPEN HAND - aids nutrition - San Francisco                (415)255-2529
 RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM of the           (415) 321-7232
      SENIOR COORDINATING COUNCIL OF THE PALO ALTO AREA
 SALVATION ARMY -San Jose                                                               (408) 282-1165
 SAN MATEO COUNTY AIDS PROGRAM                                          (415) 573-2588
 SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK - Santa Clara County              (408) 266-8866
 SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK - San Mateo County                (415) 578-0796
 SHARE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA -food distribution                     (800) 499-2506
 SILICON VALLEY PUBLIC ACCESS LINK -internet access          (408) 448-3071
 TRAIL CENTER - trail info and repair - Peninsula                            (415) 968-7065
 URBAN MINISTRY OF PALO ALTO - homeless - Palo Alto       (415) 853-8672
 VOLUNTEER CENTER OF ALAMEDA COUNTY - Oakland      (510) 419-3970
 VOLUNTEER CENTER OF ALAMEDA COUNTY - Hayward     (510) 538-0554
 VOLUNTEER CENTER(Livermore & Tri-Valley Area)                  (510) 462-3570
 VOLUNTEER CENTER OF CONTRA COSTA                                (510) 472-5760
 VOLUNTEER CENTERS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY                (408) 423-0554
 VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SAN FRANCISCO                                (415) 982-8999
 VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SAN MATEO COUNTY                      (415) 342-0801
 VOLUNTEER EXCHANGE (Santa Clara County)                            (408) 247-1126
 WALDEN WEST OUTDOOR SCIENCE SCHOOL - Saratoga    (408) 867-5950
 WILDLANDS RESTORATION TEAM - Santa Cruz mountains    (408) 662-3039

For comments, suggestions, list additions, please email taylor@meer.net