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Newsletter
October 2010
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THIS MONTH'S TOPICS
1. FROM THE SERVICE: Tap into a plentiful resource of support
2. TIP: How to apply for online volunteering opportunities
3. EXPERIENCE: Snapshot of potential volunteers
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1. FROM THE SERVICE: Tap into a plentiful resource of support
When the 200,000 user registrations were reached on 6 September, we contacted some of the potential online volunteers who registered and applied to volunteer opportunities around that milestone. We asked them to tell us who they are and why they joined the Online Volunteering service. The result is a colourful snapshot demonstrating a rich diversity in backgrounds, talents, experiences and motivations. Meet some of the new online volunteering community members in the ‘Experience’ section below.
The scope of online volunteering is as wide as our imagination, and we encourage organizations to further leverage this plentiful resource by exploring innovative ways of involving online volunteers in their projects.
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2. TIP: How to apply for online volunteering opportunities
Once you find an opportunity of your interest, you need to read the description carefully to see whether you are qualified for the task. If you are confident that you can deliver the expected results in the time specified, the next step is to complete the application form.
Being selected for a task will depend on how you present your skills and motivation. Many organizations look for volunteers with a specialized profile and will select candidates who can demonstrate in their applications that they have the required skills. Try to answer the questions in a detailed but concise manner and provide all relevant information. You can increase your chances of being selected for the assignment by including your CV and/or adding or linking to a sample of your previous work, such as an article you have written or a website you have designed.
Many organizations apply a thorough screening process to select the volunteers who have the right skills and necessary commitment to complete the task. They may probe further by asking questions relevant to the task or assess your skills through a test assignment, such as a short translation. If you happen to be contacted with such a request, it means that the organization is interested in your application and has included you in their shortlist of applicants.
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3. EXPERIENCE: Snapshot of potential volunteers
Renuka Phadnis from India works as a Special Correspondent for a major Indian newspaper, writing stories on issues where technology and social concerns overlap. “For the past couple of years, I have been editing a newsletter of BOSCO, an NGO in my city that works for neglected children and youth on the streets of Bangalore. I now wish to get some experience of volunteering at the global level as I like working in cross-cultural teams”. Renuka is ready to engage in any task that requires her writing talent, from writing content for newsletters and websites to editing project and funding proposals.
Ojeikere Ajorgbor from Nigeria is a 32-year-old father of two. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and an MBA, Ojeikere is presently working as a Retail Business Manager. “I have always felt the need to give back to society and help those in need in one way or the other, but finding the time to do this has been a huge challenge. Discovering the UNV Online Volunteering service is the greatest thing that has happened to me, because I can help different causes during lunch break or after work at least for an hour or two every day”.
Paula Pimenta Matoso is from Brazil. The International Relations student is looking for volunteer opportunities related to education. Paula hopes that besides contributing to a good cause she will gain “knowledge about the principal development issues in the current global context”.
Abdul Samad from Pakistan is currently finalizing his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology and would like to contribute to sustainable development by sharing his expertise in agriculture and molecular biotechnology. Abdul has already been selected by Grace Association Pakistan to support their online fundraising campaign for flood victims in northern Pakistan. He believes that “if you think then you can see, and if you imagine then you can develop”.
James Eric Kayongo is a 24-year-old Ugandan currently enrolled in a Master’s in Data Communication, while working with the Revenue Authority in Uganda as an IT infrastructure administrator. James is interested in developing curricula for online IT courses. “I long to help in whatever way I can to transform others’ lives.”
Nouran Atef is a 27-year-old pharmacy graduate from Egypt. Nouran is working in the National Research Center as a Master's student in Microbiology, and she would like to support educational projects. “Being from a developing country myself, I witness every day the difference that a good education can make in one's life... making us more enlightened, more willing to contribute to our societies after being more aware of its needs.”
