I'm a huge proponent of volunteering. Whether it's a one-off event or a steady, long term commitment to a specific organization, I believe that volunteering in any capacity is a rewarding and enriching experience. However, I find that a lot of people approach it from the standpoint of "unpaid work"; simply building up your resume and accumulating hours towards a specific career path. I think that sometimes people forget that it is possible to gear your volunteer hours towards your own interests. There is nothing that says that you can't have a kick ass time while gaining some valuable and marketable experience. All you really have to do is find something that jives with your passions, and a great way to do that is by going to Volunteer Calgary.
So far, my experience with Volunteer Calgary has been limited to their website, but that's due to the fact that I've never felt the need to contact their offices; they make finding volunteer opportunities in Calgary and area literally as easy as a click of the mouse. Simply hit the large "Volunteer Opportunities" button on their homepage, and you're connected to a database where you can search openings at specific organizations, by area of interest, or by type of organization. These searches can be further broken down by age group, location, and level of commitment, etc. It's a great way to get information about what's going on in your community, as well as to connect with specific activities that suit your needs and desires. Once you find a posting that speaks to you - and they say a lot - just apply to the particulars in the "Contact" section and wait for someone to get back to you; simple as that.
And don't forget that that's only one facet of this nonprofit; Volunteer Calgary also runs a number of different programs and works in conjunction with a vast network of member organizations. Check them out for their resource library, and leadership opportunities too! read more