PARSA CF University: Finding a Volunteer Opportunity That Is Right for You
PARSA University: Finding a Volunteer Opportunity That Is Right for You
One of the goals of PARSA Community Foundation is to encourage the global Persian community not only to give financially to deserving organizations, but also to give their time and talent. Volunteering is one of the best ways to make a difference for the causes you care about and to make a difference in your community.
According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, in 2007, over 60 million Americans volunteered – this represents 26 percent of the population. Finding the opportunity that best suits your skills and interests can optimize your experience to great benefit for yourself and the organization at which you volunteer. To find a good match, some questions you may want to ask yourself include:
- What is my passion?
- What skills do I bring to the organization, and what do I want to gain from this experience?
- Where and how do I want to serve?
Perhaps you are interested in volunteering but are not sure where to start. PARSA CF has a few suggestions of organizations that can help you begin:
- AmeriCorps is a government program designed as a domestic Peace Corps that offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities to individuals through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups: www.americorps.gov
- Civic Ventures provides Baby Boomers and older Americans a range of opportunities to give back to their communities and solve social problems: www.civicventures.org
- Do Something is a youth-oriented organization aiming to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers, providing the resources for youth to convert their ideas and energy into positive action: www.dosomething.org
- PARSA Community Foundation’s NGO Directory helps volunteers find and learn more about Persian nonprofit organizations all over the world and is searchable by region and focus area: www.parsacf.org/Page/38
- Project Connection houses a database led by Iranian Alliances Across Borders and Iran Studies Group to help those looking for volunteer opportunities inside Iran: www.project-connection.org
- Volunteer Match is dedicated to providing online services to help everyone find a great place to volunteer, by location and interest area: www.volunteermatch.org
If you are interested in volunteering at PARSA CF, please email us at info@parsacf.org. Tell us a little about yourself, if and where you have volunteered in the past, and how you would like to be involved. By pooling our resources and energy together, each and every one of us can make a positive difference in our Persian and greater communities.