How many remember stuffing envelopes at the dining table for the local animal shelter, and licking the sharp-tasting postage stamps to stick in the corner? Maybe you folded flyers for distribution in your community or helped a group organize their filing system.
These are just a few examples of the trend now termed micro-volunteering. These are small tasks that can be done, usually on a one-off basis, and sometimes from the comfort of your own home. The internet and technology are bringing us many opportunities to ‘squeeze in’ a micro-volunteering opportunity.
You may not have time to spend 3-4 hours out of the house, plus travel time each way. Perhaps you can only volunteer at specific times and on specific days. That’s when micro-volunteering may be the perfect solution.
Micro-volunteering is not always a solo activity, and some projects lend themselves to working with a partner or a friend. Many of the roles can be completed in bite-sized portions from your home computer or in and around your own neighbourhood. Here’s some ways micro-volunteering could work.
- Helping a group increase their profile using social media
- Providing feedback to an organization about how the website looks and works for users
- Designing a logo for an organisation
- Planting vegetable seedlings for distribution into your local community
- Helping a group communicate with its members by writing newsletters, emails or making phone calls
Micro-volunteering is one part of the bigger picture of how volunteers can make a difference in their community. Have a look at the current volunteer opportunities or give us a call on 06 391 5476 to have a chat about what you are looking for.