Group volunteering provides groups with a strong sense of cohesion while giving back to the community. It helps team-building, increases problem-solving skills and allows members to learn more about each other. Whether you’re an employee group, a student club, a service or church group, there are many opportunities to volunteer together.

Things to consider as a group

• What are your group’s goals, values and mission?
• What kinds of projects are you capable of doing? (Any physical limitations, transportation or scheduling issues?)
• Do you want a one-time volunteer opportunity or a short or long-term project?
• What do you want to get out of this experience?

Getting Started

1. Contact Us

Contact the Whatcom Volunteer Center to get connected with a nonprofit that works directly with the issue you’re trying to address. Examples below:

2. Choose a Group Leader

Designate a group leader to work with the volunteer coordinator from the agency you’ll be helping. This is an important role because this person will receive all communications from the volunteer coordinator and is responsible for relaying that information to the group. The group leader and volunteer coordinator should exchange email addresses and cell phone numbers with each other to facilitate the planning process. The group leader doesn’t need to do everything him/herself. The group leader may want to delegate parts of the process to others, such as arranging for food and tools, or confirming transportation.

3. Planning Responsibilities

Before the group volunteer opportunity:

• Arrange the exact time and date for the volunteer opportunity.
• Make sure the group has the proper tools to get the job done. Many volunteer projects require special clothing like gloves, raingear and boots and/or hand or power tools. If volunteers bring their own tools, make sure they are marked with the owner’s name and phone number.
• Arrange for transportation, driving directions and on-site parking.
• Determine what food and beverages will be provided and what the volunteers should bring.
• Take care of details like access to restrooms and hand-washing stations.
• Work with the volunteer coordinator to determine whether families and kids can volunteer. If you’re working with children, what kind of supervision does the group need to provide? What’s the optimum adult:child ratio?
• Will the group be issuing a press release? For potential event coverage, this should be done one week prior to the volunteer date. To report on the volunteering, issue the release shortly after the day of service.

On the day before you volunteer:

• Make any final confirmations with the volunteer coordinator.
• Designate a photographer or two to take pictures.

After your day of volunteering:

• Bring the group together over lunch, a break, or a staff meeting to talk about the experience: what went well, what could be improved, what members got out of the experience, and ideas for future projects.
• Share photographs with the agency for which you volunteered.