Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with volunteering

Help a secular Muslim celebrate Christmas in Boston

raztaj — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:12:02 -0800

Christmas in Boston - where to go to Mass, where to volunteer? I'm not Christian (and don't really celebrate Christmas in the secular sense), but I've always wanted to attend Christmas Mass - with curiosity of what it's like, but of course with respect. Where in (T-accessible) Boston can one sit in on Mass Christmas Eve? Do any local churches hold particularly beautiful or interesting services?

Also, do you know of any places that are seeking volunteers or an extra pair of hands on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day? While everything else is closed and shut down, what can I do with my time besides just hanging out at home?

Brighten my yuletide

dchrssyr — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:53:34 -0800

I am spending Christmas Day alone in Portland, OR. What should I do with myself? I will happily volunteer somewhere and I am open to suggestions for good volunteer gigs (or better yet, actual leads/contacts) from PDXers. Volunteering isn't likely to take up the whole day, though, and I'd really like to keep myself busy and my mind off of being alone. Any and all suggestions welcome.

"Science: When You Got It, Flaunt It"

inoculatedcities — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:55:53 -0800

Volunteering opportunities with organizations that promote science education in Boston? I am an undergraduate biology student in Boston looking to volunteer a few times per month to help an organization (similar to the [url=http://ncse.com]National Center for Science Education[/url]) that promotes science education. I'm happy to help out in any way I can but am having a difficult time finding such organizations nearby. Any ideas?

I need suggestions for volunteering on short notice

helios410 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:35:27 -0800

I want to do volunteer work in NYC when I have discretionary time. I'm not sure what I want to, but whatever it is it can't have a fixed schedule, as my work hours tend to be erratic. Basically I'm looking to volunteer on short notice. Any suggestions?

Where should I volunteer?

serazin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:47:26 -0800

Breaking out of my funk filter: I'd like to do some volunteer work on a regular but limited basis (say, a couple hours a week). I feel that writing is one of my skills, and in the past I've helped friends write really great resumes and cover letters, so I think this might be a good thing for me to focus on. I suppose helping with writing college essays might also work. I have an idea that I'd like to work with veterans specifically, although I'm open to different ideas. And I live in the SF Bay Area. So can you suggest organizations that I might work with - either in my ideal scenario of helping vets with resumes - or doing something else that would utilize my skills?

How can I help make same-sex marriage legal?

Mrs. Pterodactyl — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:46:22 -0800

The legalization of same-sex marriage is very important to me. What can I do to help? I don't have much money to donate and I'm wondering what avenues would be best in terms of volunteering my time. Quick background, in case this is relevant in any way: I am a woman married to a man, my mother is an Episcopal priest who agrees with me on this issue and I live in DC so I don't have any congresspeople to whom I can write. What can I do to help make same-sex marriage legal throughout the country?

Volunteering: I'm good, but I'm not that good.

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:52:11 -0800

I've been cooped up and dealing with excessive work and depression for a while. I'm on the mend, and doing better than I've been in a while, and I'm looking for ways to meet more people. I hear all kinds of great things about volunteering, and while it appeals to me, I haven't had very good luck with it. (More inside.) I've never been good at meeting people, but over the past five or eight years, I've come to appreciate that I'm much more of a people person than I've given myself credit for. Still, I need to put forth some serious effort to get myself off my butt and go out and do things--my guess is that it's down to books being the only reliable friends I had growing up, so I never got the habit of going out and seeking out human interaction.

Anyway, my question is narrower: I've tried volunteering in the past as a way of meeting people, but it's been most effective as a way of meeting people who are a) much older than I am, b) intellectually plain in a "I love Oprah, NASCAR, country music, voting Republican, and not thinking" way that puts me right off, c) somehow attached, or d) some combination of the above. Other times, I get stuck with a solitary task or something that doesn't let me interact with people, and that completely defeats the purpose of me going to volunteer in the first place. (Yes, I understand computers. No, I will not work on your organization's website. My website sucks. Do you want your website to suck?)

Ideally, I'd care enough about something that needed volunteers that I could enjoy helping for the sake of helping, but I'm not that good. I must be absolutely clear: I'm not doing this for any noble reason or charitable impulse. I am doing this to audition prospective girlfriends, preferably cute alternative types who can tolerate dating a 9-5er. I give to charity, regard myself as a compassionate person, and love helping others, but I'm afraid this is about me.

Anyway, my question: can you recommend somewhere in the Bay Area that would fit my bill? Or if you think I'm completely barking up the wrong tree, can you suggest somewhere else to look?

Demographics: 29, male, straight, lawyer, lives in San Francisco.

Throwaway email: imnotthatgood@gmail.com.

Looking for a low-maintenance, but social, 'after work' place/thing/something to do while I try to get my health in order.

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:29:01 -0800

I need a temporary low-maintenance, but social, 'after work' place/thing/something to do while I try to get my health in order. Ok. First off: I know all the things you excellent MeFites suggest to stave off and/or work with/fix depression/health issues, like exercise and general activities to join, and classes and outdoorsiness and volunteering. I have read many of your threads and salute you for your suggestions. Here, then, is another one that perhaps you have the answer for.

I'm about to start being treated for depression/anxiety stuff again; whether the solution will be from adjusting my thryoid meds, or taking new anti-depressants, or both, remains to be seen.

Historically I have been a person who makes every effort to do all the things you guys suggest in that position, if you can; some kind of regular exercise, get outside, see people, do activities, try meditation. But due to the incredible fatigue that's been plaguing me more and more (anemia isn't helping, which is also getting treated), focusing on some of these things is getting hard if not impossible. I've had to drop some of the activities I used to do due to a problem with my stomach that nobody can figure out, as well. I've been going to beginner yoga classes when I feel up to it.

I can't get a dog right now, my closest friends are not in reasonable proximity to me, and I live by myself. I wish I had any friends in my apartment complex, but everyone mostly keeps to themselves, and it's not that easy to say to somebody I don't know "hey what's up, can I come hang at your place for a couple hours, I feel incredibly lonely from this health junk, not to mention [possibly some other weird feeling due to meds]."

So I've been hunting for something that I can do most weekdays after work that might not be something super physical, that would involve people socially and be low pressure, but not necessarily a class. Ideally I wish I had a roommate or significant other, because I think that would do the trick just fine, but I don't think I can instantly conjure one that's worth a darn. I've been considering trying to move out of my place in order to have someone around, but doing all this health fixing and moving simultaneously sounds like a bad idea.

I don't really want a 2nd job to go with my 40 hour a week one (which so far I've been able to handle, but I see some sick days coming). And calling people on the phone every day is not really doing it, although I've been less and less motivated to call people because I have nothing to report besides "yeah, I still feel like crap."

I've been looking at volunteer-type stuff, but nothing seems to jump out at me as the 'thing i can do that seems to fulfill all those requirements'.

Suggestions? Rent-a-buddy? My perspective might also be kinda screwed up here. Thanks again, hive mind.

Great idea for a course--horribly misdirected.

k. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:16:41 -0800

I'm taking an innovative course on using technology for humanitarian causes, taught by a professor I really like. But it's awful! How can I tell him what I think, and/or turn this disaster of a course into something worthwhile? My hopes were high at first, because I was really excited about the topic: I wanted to learn how to use my technical skills to do something good for people, instead of just to make money. I'm hoping to find a job in my field that does some kind of good, since I'm not sure I could stand it otherwise.

But the course turned out to be very different: it seems to be entirely about giving people computers. Dumping gadgets on people is of questionable long-term value, and, most importantly, it doesn't teach us students anything about how to use our skills--which are not about donating technology but about making it--to make the world better place. We read case studies of projects that gave people technology, and we're installing a computer lab made from donated computers in a local public housing project. While this kind of community-service might help some people in the short term, it sure isn't teaching us any new technical skills or any ways to use our existing skills to help people in the future.

I don't think using technical knowledge for the common good is an unreasonable idea. Engineers Without Borders does it all the time; so does the Humanitarian FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) Project. And, given that we're adept at crunching numbers and have a GIS expert on hand, I'm sure there's a lot of climate- and environment-related stuff we could work on as well. All great things, but not what we're doing in this class.

The course is small and somewhat student-directed, so I may be able to push the class (or my own work in it) more toward something I could actually learn from. But I have to do this very carefully, for two reasons. First, our class is effectively committed to the housing project's computer lab, so any additional projects or "field work" we take on has to be in addition to our work on that (in other words, at least some of us have to continue the work on that and probably most will). Second, I don't want to seem oppositional or offensive, because I really like the professor--he's a fascinating person and one of the best teachers I've had--and I want him to like me too.

How should I express my doubts about the course, and how might I try to shift the focus more toward material from which I might actually learn something?

Could/should a severely depressed person volunteer abroad?

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:56:22 -0800

I asked This question a couple of months ago. Since then I've gone through one of the worst periods of depression of my life. I'm seeing a therapist and taking anti-depressants but they're not really helping. I'm depressed about my complete lack of meaningful relationships and experiences and the depression has made me more isolated and unmotivated than ever. I feel like I need to do something drastic to force myself to get out of my head and start living my life. I want to be in a situation where I have no choice but to work hard and interact with people. Volunteering abroad appeals to me a great deal but I have no real skills and I'm guessing my mental health problems would make it hard to get a placement. Would volunteering abroad be possible or advisable and is there anything else I could do?

Where should I volunteer in Austin?

MuChao — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:08:42 -0800

Help me find an active, interesting, and rewarding volunteer opportunity in Austin, TX. I've been unemployed for too long and am battling a depressive episode which seems to be crippling my job hunt. I'm not even sure I want to be doing the work I've been doing and going back to school isn't an option at this point. Someone suggested volunteering as a way to build my confidence and social skills as well as help me find a real career goal.

I've spent the last few years sitting behind desks and computers, so I would really like to find an opportunity to be more physically active while giving back to my community. As this is probably the most liberal and socially/environmentally conscientious city in Texas, there are almost too many options to choose from.

I have very little formal education and no experience outside typical clerical/office work. That said, I'd like to learn more about gardening or tending to animals. I would like to spend time outside, enjoying the fresh air and natural beauty that is Austin. I'm not in the best of physical shape, but am not opposed to manual labor. I'm seriously not big on spending a lot of time with children, especially large groups of kids.

I've done some research and am considering the following organizations:
Sustainable Food Center I know next to nothing about gardening or planning gardens, as I've never had the space or opportunity to do so and I fear looking like a moron.
Dream a Dream has opportunities for helping in the barns, which would give me limited time with children and allow me to work with horses.
Green Corn Project would also give me hands-on gardening experience.
Austin Zoo has a variety of volunteer positions available, including things that would utilize the job-skills I already have in their office.

As I'm currently unemployed, I have massive amounts of "free time" so can volunteer whenever, for now, but would like to find something that can be worked into a normal job schedule when I finally have one.

Do any Austin MeFites have experience with any of these organizations? I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Starting in the non-profit sector: Am I doing the right things at the right time?

monocot — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:16:35 -0800

NGOfilter: I think I've discovered my vocation - the question is, how do I go about achieving it? Lots of background, questions from clueless young person and more. Long background:

After attending a UWC in Norway and having an amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing (etc. etc.) two years, I then went to the UK to study biology. In hindsight, going straight to a highly-specialised course might not've been a smart decision, and for the past year I've been rethinking my future as a lab drone and (after working in a research lab this summer) I'm pretty certain scientific research / academia is not the career for me. Instead, I hope to go into human-rights or development-related international NGOs, because I sustain a strong interest in current affairs and HR-related issues despite the science major (I'm involved in the UNA and current affairs socs), and a job working with people from other countries, advocating & being in the field appeals to me.

I'm on track to receive a degree in the biosciences but it's not what these places are looking for - frankly a bit dispiriting when all of the intern/job openings require a 'social science, econ or related' degree! Unfortunately switching courses is not an option. I researched a bit and it seems that the best way to make inroads in this whole NGO business is to volunteer. So I've decided to do so at this (vaguely related to my subject) NGO during term time next year, and hopefully learn the ropes as well as get to know people. I plan to apply for an unpaid internship (there seem to be no paid ones...) next summer in a HR monitor, perhaps in London.

I've tried to form some coherent questions from the confused and clueless ramblings above:

1) My volunteering and networking plans for next year - the right idea, or totally off?
2) How to best go about finding an iNGO internship in the UK / London or elsewhere? Are there any organisations that you recommend or which would take an unexperienced, unrelated but enthusiastic student in? Resume tips?
3) Are the job prospects in the non-profit sector poor in general? Do I have to resign myself to meagre earnings / job-hunting for many years after graduation?
4) How much would multiple languages help? I'm willing to put extra work into my spanish (was conversational, but I've been neglecting it) if it increases my chances - I also speak chinese and english (doh).
5) Sometimes an "advanced degree" is required - eg in the UN - what would be a good subject to get a postgrad degree in? I've flirted with the idea of law school in the US, but the high tuition makes it nigh impossible unless I get significant loan / scholarship help, and even then the debt might be debilitating. (Additional problem: I'm not a US citizen; Australian.) How useful would a JD be in international HR work? This question suggests not very...

Any help with the questions, other advice and info you can offer (or maybe calls to calm down / have a reality check?) would be very much appreciated :)

Doing my part for mental health awareness

silby — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:45:49 -0800

I want to do something positive for mental health awareness aside from just engaging people on the subject when it comes up. Is there anyone out there I can consider donating my time or money to? In the last year or so, I have gotten a handle on my mental health situation, and while I wasn't in the direst of straits, I still feel like I have been spared a lifetime of anguish. My awareness of the possibility that I might have a problem was pretty minimal for most of my life (though I'm rather young), and I'd like to pay forward my recent strides by doing something for the cause, such as it is, of mental health awareness, perhaps specifically panic/anxiety/depression issues. Unfortunately, a lot of the public face of mental health treatment is put forward by the drug companies, and while I <3 my pills, they don't really present the most balanced or helpful information to people, nor can one volunteer one's time for Pfizer. Are there reputable nonprofits out there doing good work in this area, like a Planned Parenthood for crazy people or something?

Looking for a website where users can get together, share/critique new ideas, and volunteer to collaborate on new projects.

Muffpub — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:28:54 -0800

Are there any sites out there for organizing people to work on collaborative projects or new ideas? I can't find anything on AskMe about collaboration that doesn't involve specialized tech-related projects or collaborative office software. Am I missing something? If there's something out there on the internet that can do this I'd love to be a part of it. For example, "Write for my blog," "contribute to my map of the area," perhaps even more cerebral stuff like "critique the new political system I invented!" If there's a fun, useful wiki/crowdsourcing type space where people can get together, brainstorm, and work together, I want to find it.

I'd like to emphasize that I'm looking for something as open-ended as possible. Ubuntu Brainstorm would be a wonderful idea if it weren't limited to Ubuntu. Think that, but for the whole internet! Where is it?

(The history behind this question: This MeTa thread I posted last week ended up morphing into a discussion on the existential nature of MeFi Projects and the possibility of a collaborative space on Metafilter, but an important precondition to that discussion was whether or not sites like this already are out there on the internet. If you don't know of any other site on the internet like this but think it may be a cool idea to propose that we do it right here on MeTa, say so, but please remember that AskMe is not for talking about Metafilter.)

Apologies if this is impossibly open-ended or chatfilter.

Organizations like CASA (for foster children) in Canada?

JoannaC — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:05:02 -0800

Organizations like CASA (for foster children) in Canada? My American sister has adopted a foster child after three years. Our whole family has been very moved by this little girl's story and have become very attached to her. I am a teacher myself, and have dealt with other children in these situations. I would like to help.

I know that in the USA, where my sister is, there is an organization called CASA which trains volunteers to serve as advocates for children in cases like this. I have been unable to find evidence of any sort of similar group in Canada (Ontario, GTA region) specifically. I have tried every Google combination I can think of, and either we don't have people who do this sort of thing here, or it's called something different.

Does anyone know what sort of group or organization I migt be looking for here? Is there a Canadian equivalent to CASA?

I would like to pet your cats

miskatonic — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:40:25 -0800

I'm interested in volunteering at a cat rescue organization in New York City. Any recommendations? It's not quite the right time for me to adopt a pair of cats, as I was hoping to do this summer, but I'm still looking to get some quality cat time in my life. Consequently, I'd like to volunteer at a rescue or animal shelter here in NYC.

I'm really only interested in interacting with cats and kittens, but I'm not afraid of or allergic to dogs and other animals so it doesn't necessarily have to be a cat-only organization.

I don't have a lot of time to commit - the ideal for me would be something like one weekend day a week (probably Sunday) or one evening a week after work. I am most looking forward to playing with and helping to socialize cats and kittens, but I understand that less fun things like feeding and litter changing will be needed as well and I don't object to that. I've had several cats in the past so I have experience in most aspects of kitty caretaking.

Can anyone recommend a shelter for me to check out?

Is it possible to volunteer voice-work?

JeremiahBritt — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:50:17 -0800

Getting a job in the voiceover industry is hard, and hardly pays. I get that. But what are some arenas in which I can give it away for free? I did voice over bumpers for a local PBS TV station in college, did work at an NPR affiliate at the same time. The only acting I've done is for friends' film projects in college and for fun, but it's possible I wasn't terrible at it. Even with a little experience under my belt, I know that the odds of getting work in the field are slim.

Thing is, I'm okay with not getting a dime, but I'd still like to use (and hone) my talent if I could. I just don't know where to offer it--I'm stuck between feeling like a singer who'd be happy finding a place in a small community choir and feeling like an arrogant jerk who thinks he's so pretty he should offer to flex around places because his face is nice.

I have some experience sound engineering and have fairly good equipment. I'd prefer to do something digitally rather than live, and if live, behind a curtain rather than in front of it.

Things I've looked into/tried:

Three years ago I contacted Futurismic offering to do audio versions of their short stories for free. Jeremy Lyons was busy, but liked my sample. They were only doing a story a month, so he told me it might take awhile to get match me with something. He never got back to me, and for a time there were audio versions at the site, largely read by the author. (I wasn't bitter, I just assumed that when they started asking, the authors thought, "That's a great idea, but why don't I read my own work instead?" He was also doing this as a hobby, so I don't begrudge the irregular emails).

I read some friend's well-written blog posts and attached links to the audio files as comments. They replied positively, but it's hard to feel confident in the responses of those close to you. I didn't want to distract from their writing and I didn't want them to feel uncomfortable asking me to stop, so I only did a couple.

I've done the same for a few forums I frequent, but never posted as a thread reply, instead emailing them to the writer. Again, positive response and suggestions to do it more, but I did not want to distract from their work or "Attention Whore".

I looked into reading text books for visually impaired students at a couple universities, since the service was free for the recipient, but those positions went to fellow students.

I've read some stuff for Librivox. This seems a good resource, but projects move so slowly I've only submitted a few, in fear of over-committing myself and having to renege.

Browsing Newgrounds, which I loved 10 years ago. There are a lot of audio projects available, but few seem to come to fruition and the majority deal with requirements I know nothing about (anime, video game characters).

Podcasting with a friend. Ironically, I'm not much of a talker, and podcasting hardly seems like something that would help anyone else.

Suggestions from my friends to record modern audiobooks or children's books for them seem questionable legality-wise, although I wouldn't be selling it and it would be for a small, personal audience.

I've toyed with reading to patients in coma wards or in veteran's spaces, but I have no idea how to approach this, if it is even proper, or if it has all been replaced by podcasts.

I've also thought about reading short creative pieces people post for critique on some sites, even if only to send it to them directly. Hearing what you have written aloud, especially by a second party, can be an excellent tool for revision. I'm not sure if this is something that would anger people.

The selfish part of all of this is that I want feedback. I want to get better at it, excellent at it, even if I never even apply for a full-time job remotely tied to it.

Ironically, I work for the National Association of Broadcasters. All day I talk to people from or in TV and Radio, so everyone I talk to has an excellent voice. They notice and compliment my voice, but some of the higher-ups in the company have cornered the voice-over market (for webcasts, PSAs, etc.) in-building.

Is it wrong to want to be excellent at something, but happy toiling away at it in obscurity?

Volunteering in DC

phrontist — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:02:07 -0800

I'm a 20 year old male in the DC area (I live near East Falls Church Metro) with a pretty significant amount of free time on my hands for at least the next three months. I don't have a car, and can't drive. I'm looking to do something that will improve other people's lives. I'm not concerned about any ideology (religious or otherwise) a group may have, but I'd prefer as little proselytizing as possible, and that it be a community uninterested in my beliefs. I'd like the work to be as direct and concrete as possible. Other than that I'm open to anything. Recommendations personal experience are especially appreciated.

Should I go to South Africa to take care of the baby baboons?

Maisie — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:48:27 -0800

I am thinking of volunteering at a baboon rescue in South Africa () and am wondering if anyone has any experience/wisdom/whatever to share. Do any MeFites have experience at this particular organization or any like it? If so, what was it like? Would you go back? Is there a better program? Was it a complete nightmare? What should a mildly-adventurous 39-year-old American woman expect? What sorts of things should I take with me?

Also, I've never been to South Africa (or anywhere else in Africa for that matter) and don't know much about it. The website doesn't really say much about the facilities other than noting that it's really humid in the summer and in general they relocate poisonous snakes (!) and ignore the spiders, rats and scorpions (!!!). If I go there, what's the best time of year (1) weatherwise, and (2) when snakes, spiders and scorpions are at a minimum? What other things should I be concerned about? What sort of vaccinations (or whatever) should I make sure I have (I know you're not my doctor)?

Mr. Maisie, my sister and my boss all responded to this notion with stunned silence and then the question about whether this was really such a great idea. Mr. Maisie, who has no interest in going, cautions that South Africa is riddled with crime, but then followed-up that he'd miss me. Is that really so (the crime part, I mean)? I'm worried about taking a leave of absence from my job (I'm a database administrator at a large outsourcing-happy company), but I'm generally well-regarded at work and I don't think I'd have many negative repercussions. But they do love their off shore IT people. Am I on glue and this is obviously the worst idea in the world?

MeFites, let loose with your experiences, thoughts, ideas, concerns, whatever. Thanks in advance!

Help me help a nursing home

Jandasmo — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:00:12 -0800

I'm looking for a way to help local nursing homes. Any ideas about activities I alone, or 2 or 3 of us together, could do to help a nursing home. I'm looking for something unique and fun. Bingo and karaoke are already taken.

Short term Peace Corp type gig?

Jandasmo — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:24:54 -0800

My daughter is interested in a shorter term (1-3 month) Peace Corp/Red Cross type volunteer stint overseas. What programs are out there that pay expenses and give interesting opportunities. She has education and experience in health care, but is interested in any suggestions. Personal stories would also be appreciated.

Hypothesis: X[giving] is directly correlated to Y[financial success]

drea — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:12:29 -0800

How has the financial crisis affected the nonprofit sector? Is there anyone here belonging to a nonprofit with a personal experience to share? What's the general climate at the workplace: loss of morale? No difference? Have there been job losses, budget cuts? Maybe funding has increased, unexpectedly? Would like to hear your stories and find out if the crisis has increased a sense of cynicism/idealism in people. I'd also like to know if the crisis keeps people from contributing or fuels them to help out more in whatever way possible. I'm asking this as a person looking to start "a career" in the nonprofit field. Thanks a lot.

P.S. I've checked out Alltop prior to this. And that Nancy Lublin article.

Volunteering at a dog rescue centre

Ziggy500 — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:45:29 -0800

Wanted: Your experiences of volunteering at a dog rescue centre. I'm thinking of taking it up. I'm seriously feeling the lack of dogs in my life. I grew up with 4 dogs (though I only trained one) and would love to get one but my personal circumstances (time, lifestyle, flat size) mean that I don't think I will be able to for some time.

I think it would be good to volunteer at a local dog rescue centre to increase/improve my experience with dogs so that when I DO get a dog I'll be a better owner. I know that they look for dog walkers and dog socialisers. But I have no experience dealing with frightened or aggressive dogs. The dogs I grew up with were all happy and gentle. Also, I am not exactly in peak physical condition. I can walk for long stretches, but not run; and I don't think I'm strong enough to restrain a large dog if necessary. Other than that, I know that I am good with dogs. I know basic training.I'm firm but kind and all that jazz. Most dogs I've met seem to like me.

Most charities ask for a commitment of about 6 months so I don't want to go in blind, as it were. What have your experiences of volunteering at dogs' charities been like?

Volunteer writing tutoring in MN?

sciapod — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:34:50 -0800

Are there any organizations like 826michigan in Minnesota? I would like to volunteer to tutor for kids or adults, preferably by helping out with writing/composition or English skills. I know 826 doesn't have a Minnesota branch, but does anyone know of anything similar in Minnesota (preferably in Minneapolis or the surrounding suburbs)?

Do open source projects need or want Business Analysts?

Lentrohamsanin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:46:49 -0800

This Cnet article got me thinking. I work as a Business Analyst, and as part of my job I do a lot of QA, requirements gathering and refining, user documentation, and other things. Is this a skill set that would be useful to any open source projects? When I've looked in the past, it's seemed like mainly people were looking for coders and testers. It seems like a great way to do some volunteer work and learn new technology and methodologies (different SDLC models, for instance), but I don't know if middle men like me have a place in the open source world.