There are a few less obvious volunteer opportunities that allow you the flexibility you require. Remember that volunteering does not have to involve providing direct services, but can also be a vehicle of enhancing the program in indirect ways, or by freeing up the paid staff so they can concentrate more on direct program needs. Virtual volunteering is a recent addition that is sure to become more popular in coming years. For more information on that, and what opportunities are currently available, visit Volunteer Match . Another option you have is to make your own volunteer job. Do you have a knack for writing? Offer to help create an organization's newsletter or brochure. If you are artistic, maybe you can design a graphic for them, or help decorate the program site. If you enjoy meeting new people, you could offer to be a program spokesperson and provide information to civic groups in your community.
Endless possibilities exist that probably have not been considered by you or most organizations. Remember, though, to discuss your project with the director or volunteer coordinator of the program to make sure that it is a need. There is no point in designing t-shirts when they have a contest for youth to do so. However, maybe they need help with promoting the contest or judging the entries. And remember to make it clear if you can only volunteer after-hours; some jobs may require supervision or regular feedback.
Now that you've gotten some ideas about how to volunteer given your time-constraints, call your local volunteer center, United Way, or AARP program to find out which organizations are available in your area. Or, if you prefer, use the following list of national and international service organizations that use volunteers after 5 or on the weekends as a starting point: (But remember, there are tens of thousands of nonprofit organizations in the US alone, and very few are national, or even state-wide, in scope!)
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