Pivoting to Remote Volunteer Opportunities
How do you remain true to a mission of gathering people together to volunteer in the Triangle when you cannot gather? In the past few weeks, Activate Good has reassessed ways to support local nonprofits. Connecting volunteers in new, safe, and remote ways is our focus. In addition to numerous volunteer opportunities for those in good health to assist the elderly and other at-risk populations in-person, there are several remote volunteer opportunities available for those who are practicing social distancing but still want to help.
It has always been a thing, but remote volunteering is having a moment now.
A few remote volunteer highlights:
- Create “Courage Cards” for chronically ill children
- Help compile research and find funding sources for local causes
- Make kindness calls to seniors, neighbors, and other isolated populations
- Complete the 2020 census or participate in the “Complete the 2020 Census” campaign
“Nonprofits must always be nimble in navigating changes in funding, volunteer availability, and the economy. It is one of the joys and challenges of the work,” said Amber Smith, executive director of Activate Good. “We are optimistic and hopeful that focusing on doing the good we can with what we have will get us through hard times.”
Activate Good has already received several inquiries related to helping the community during COVID-19.
Activate Good needs YOU for remote volunteer opportunities!
After we blasted out a request for remote volunteers, Kristine Paro wrote to us saying “I just wanted to do what I could to help during this pandemic.”
Cesely Smith, a stay-at-home mother of four, commented, “In times like these, it is very difficult to find opportunities where you can give back.” They both responded to Activate Good’s request for remote volunteers.
We need to find creative ways to connect with communities to do good. We are reminded of this sentiment from President George H.W. Bush, founder of Points of Light (the global network of volunteer organizations we’re a part of):
“Every problem that the country faces is being solved in some community by some group or some individual. The question is how to get connected so that the whole nation can solve problems. A volunteer is a person who can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, but as citizens – citizens in the fullest sense; partners in civilization.”
Questions about remote volunteer opportunities?
This April, a month dedicated volunteering, we encourage everyone to find a way to use their time and talents to help others. If you need ideas, visit the Activate Good COVID19 website. And, if you need help, reach out to me!
