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What is Volunteer Las Vegas?
A new community resource that helps bring volunteers and organizations seeking volunteers together.
A warm welcome to all first time visitors. Volunteer Las Vegas is an initiative of ProfitAbility Magazine. It is a not-for-profit site that provides a means of easy facilitation between organizations and volunteers to connect with each other. For organizations - you will be able to find qualified, interested volunteers quickly. For Volunteers - you will be able to search for the type of organization and volunteer work you desire.
Volunteer Las Vegas provides you with all you need to find out about volunteer opportunities, and helps you make the best match possible between your personal requirements and choice of volunteer work. Volunteer Las Vegas does not collect any personal information. You decide what information you want to share about yourself when you express your interest in an opportunity listed by a not-for-profit organization.
Why Volunteer?
Many Las Vegas citizens make a difference in their local community by volunteering each year, doing a wide range of tasks for a wide range of not-for-profit organizations. People volunteer for many reasons and in many different ways. There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from making a difference. You can experience working for causes that you are interested in, or assist in creating change in areas that are important to you. You can build new skills, meet new people and add variety to your work experience. Volunteer Las Vegas makes it easy for you to find a volunteer job to suit your interests and location.
How to Find A Volunteer Job Using Volunteer Las Vegas
Search the Volunteer Las Vegas database to find volunteer opportunities near where you live or work that match your interests and the time you have available. Use the Quick Search on the Volunteer Las Vegas home page. You can select the type of organization that you would like to help and/or the type of task that you are interested in doing.
To view more information about the organizations that list opportunities on Volunteer Las Vegas, select Organization Profiles from the navigation bar and browse organizations by alphabetical order. All organizations registered with Volunteer Las Vegas have agreed to the Ohio definitions and principles of volunteering.
Definition of Formal Volunteering
Formal volunteering is an activity which takes place in not-for-profit organizations or projects and is undertaken:
- To be of benefit to the community and the volunteer; Of the volunteer's own free will and without coercion; For no financial payment;
- In designated volunteer positions only.
Principles of Volunteering
- Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer Volunteer work is unpaid Volunteering is always a matter of choice Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or government allowances. Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental, and social need Volunteering is an activity performed in the not-for-profit sector only Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others.
- Volunteering promotes human rights and equality.
Young People - Get involved in volunteering!
What you can gain from volunteering:
- Skill acquisition - job skills, communication skills, etc Personal & professional development and training Confidence Experience - especially to be able to add to your resume A written/verbal reference Having fun Meeting new people Experiencing new challenges Satisfaction from doing something to make a difference
- The ability to explore different sorts of career or job opportunities
Family Volunteering
Family volunteering allows parents, children and other family members to spend time together while contributing to the community and causes they care about. It can be a fun activity that can improve communication within the family resulting in stronger family relationships.
What Families Can Gain from Volunteering:
- Parents act as role models and can demonstrate helping others in need An increased sense of worth and accomplishment from making a difference A stronger sense of community and decrease in social isolation Respect for different people and conditions Relative or family members could benefit from the activity Learn new skills or using existing skills
- Volunteering is fun and something families can do together
Examples of Family-friendly Projects:
- Sorting donated books Recycling projects Craft projects Planting trees Fundraising activities Assisting with brochure distribution Visits to nursing homes
- School and kindergarten activities
Volunteer Rights
Unlike paid staff, volunteer staff are not covered by award conditions or workplace agreements. Volunteers, however, do have rights, some of which are enshrined in legislation and some of which are the moral obligations of an organization involving volunteers. The following list is the basis of your rights as a volunteer.
As a volunteer you have the right:
- To work in a healthy and safe environment (refer Occupational Health and Safety Act[s]); To be interviewed and employed in accordance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation; To be adequately covered by insurance; To be given accurate and truthful information about the organization for which you are working; To be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the organization for which you are working; To be given a copy of the organization's volunteer policy and any other policy that affects your work; Not to fill a position previously held by a paid worker; Not to do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes; To have a job description and agreed working hours; To have access to a grievance procedure; To be provided with orientation to the organization; To have your confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988; and
- To be provided with sufficient training to do your job.
Checklist for Volunteers
Check that:
- The organization is a not-for-profit The purpose of the organization matches your own values and beliefs The organization carries volunteer insurance Your role is clear and specific The organization can provide you with written information about its purpose and activities
- You are satisfied that the funds of the organization are expended in accordance with its mission.
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