How to Volunteer Nomad-Style
October 10, 2023 12:05 PM Subscribe
I would like to devote one day a week to volunteering but am currently and for the foreseeable future leading a somewhat nomadic lifestyle (two months in one place, one month in another, etc.). What are my options?
Pretty much what it says on the tin. Are there national organizations with centralized training processes, so I could learn the ropes in one place but be able to transfer to another place? If there's not an IRL solution, does anyone know of good remote or virtual options (like hotlines, letter-writing, or something similar)? I'm open to all suggestions except on-the-ground political volunteering/organizing (still bruised from the last few elections) and have volunteered in the past with literacy centers and GED tutoring. I have the time and desire to be helpful but definitely don't want to be the person who is more trouble than they're worth when it comes to scheduling, committing, training, and the like. Thank you for any recommendations and ideas!
Pretty much what it says on the tin. Are there national organizations with centralized training processes, so I could learn the ropes in one place but be able to transfer to another place? If there's not an IRL solution, does anyone know of good remote or virtual options (like hotlines, letter-writing, or something similar)? I'm open to all suggestions except on-the-ground political volunteering/organizing (still bruised from the last few elections) and have volunteered in the past with literacy centers and GED tutoring. I have the time and desire to be helpful but definitely don't want to be the person who is more trouble than they're worth when it comes to scheduling, committing, training, and the like. Thank you for any recommendations and ideas!
Lin my experience food banks have minimal training requirements before you can start working. Sign up, show up, do a shift.
posted by Gorgik at 12:31 PM on October 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Gorgik at 12:31 PM on October 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
Yes, many food banks have well organized volunteer opportunities with a low barrier to entry and tend to need help pretty much every day.
posted by vunder at 12:54 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by vunder at 12:54 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am a part of a small online volunteer-run community and we have plenty of tasks we can set you on. Schedule, skill, and commitment levels can be tailored to you and your interests. Memail me!
posted by aniola at 1:08 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by aniola at 1:08 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
I met a RV-traveling couple that volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
posted by credulous at 1:34 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by credulous at 1:34 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
I’m a guy but wanted to mention that my wife volunteers for the local Planned Parenthood.
She helps women from their car to the door, as there may be protesters on the curb, and she simply offers woman peace and a helpful arm. She loves how it feels to help. She has a friend who sometimes also volunteers with her so they hang out on camp chairs when times are slow.
Volunteers are needed almost everywhere.
Best to you.
posted by artdrectr at 1:35 PM on October 10, 2023
She helps women from their car to the door, as there may be protesters on the curb, and she simply offers woman peace and a helpful arm. She loves how it feels to help. She has a friend who sometimes also volunteers with her so they hang out on camp chairs when times are slow.
Volunteers are needed almost everywhere.
Best to you.
posted by artdrectr at 1:35 PM on October 10, 2023
VolunteerMatch.org has a lot of listing for both local and virtual volunteer opportunities.
posted by metahawk at 1:37 PM on October 10, 2023
posted by metahawk at 1:37 PM on October 10, 2023
Depending on your skill set, you may find interesting opportunties through UN Volunteers, which connects nonprofits with people with relevant skills online.
posted by reren at 2:32 PM on October 10, 2023
posted by reren at 2:32 PM on October 10, 2023
MeetUp.com may vary by location, but generally has one-off volunteer options listed.
posted by coffeecat at 2:34 PM on October 10, 2023
posted by coffeecat at 2:34 PM on October 10, 2023
Animal shelters always need dog walkers and kitten cuddlers for socialization.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 4:24 PM on October 10, 2023
posted by a humble nudibranch at 4:24 PM on October 10, 2023
Training as a volunteer tax preparer to work at VITA sites and help low-income people file their taxes for free and not get ripped off by the HR Blocks of the world is pretty portable. You'll probably need to commit to one site for a couple months, but if you'll be in one place mid-Feb - mid-April, it might be a good option. And the training is transferable across sites, so if you're in another place the next year, you can just find a new volunteer site.
If you have in-demand data science/tech/design skills, catchafire might be also a good option. They set you up with a short consulting project with a non-profit that needs your skills and you can work from anywhere.
posted by snaw at 6:05 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you have in-demand data science/tech/design skills, catchafire might be also a good option. They set you up with a short consulting project with a non-profit that needs your skills and you can work from anywhere.
posted by snaw at 6:05 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
I don’t have a link, but there are online opportunities for ESL tutoring.
posted by Comet Bug at 10:51 PM on October 10, 2023
posted by Comet Bug at 10:51 PM on October 10, 2023
It's a different kind of volunteering but there are a lot of citizen science projects that can be done online. Zooniverse has plenty of projects you can help with, from helping transcribe medieval documents to planet hunting in telescope data and lots in between.
Here's an example list of other projects from other places, but there are loads more if you search online for them. This is valuable work and doesn't need you to be in any particular place, just have a laptop or phone and an internet connection.
posted by underclocked at 2:28 AM on October 11, 2023
Here's an example list of other projects from other places, but there are loads more if you search online for them. This is valuable work and doesn't need you to be in any particular place, just have a laptop or phone and an internet connection.
posted by underclocked at 2:28 AM on October 11, 2023
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I would start by listing your skills and interests (social media posting, excel, proofreading, contacting vendors for donations, etc). Then, further define your availability (8 hours at once in a week or spread out? An open schedule or one based on your own availability and time zone?) as well as causes you wish to support. That information will guide your searches and connections- check social media accounts and websites for lists of needs. Being able to give a reliable 8 hours a week will be really useful for an organization, especially when it is focused on one area of need.
posted by maya at 12:23 PM on October 10, 2023 [1 favorite]