UU150 Study Guide - Final Guide: Habitat For Humanity
Interests and values
What are you passionate about? We’re all passionate about something; it might be
animal rights, education, social justice, health and well-being, women’s
empowerment, art, history, or environmental conservation. It’s worth spending
time thinking about your interests and values because you’re likely to have a more
fulfilling and rewarding experience if you engage in a cause you are passionate
about. You’ll likely feel greater motivation to enthusiastically contribute to the
volunteer expereince if you value it. It’s also worth asking yourself what
you’re not interested in – though you might have the skills to be successful in many
areas, your experience will be more enjoyable if you’re enthusiastic. In addition, in
some cases, a bad fit could create challenges for the organization. For example,
quitting a mentoring commitment could have negative effects (i.e. feeling of
abandonment, decreased self-esteem) on a child being mentored. If you’re unsure
of whether you’d be interested in a long-term commitment, volunteering at an
event is a good way to introduce yourself to the work.
Also, don’t base your chosen opportunities on convenience; though it may be
easier, it may also be less enjoyable.
Current skills
What skills do you currently have that you could make use of? Everyone is really
good at a something; working with children or seniors, building relationships,
manual labor, art, and/or computer technology. Spend some time thinking about
your current skills and where they might be most useful. Community engagement is
a great opportunity to build new skills, but it can also be a great place to refine and
apply the skills you currently possess.
Type of work/tasks
What type of work are you interested in? Within each organization, thereare many
different types of tasks. For example, at Habitat for Humanity, you could help build
a home (e.g., demolition, framing, painting, site clean-up), or work for them at a
ReStore (e.g., greeting customers, pricing items, or serving on a fundraising or
event-planning committee). At some organizations, you might be asked to do
mundane yet important tasks, such as stuffing envelopes. Perhaps you aren’t
comfortable doing heavy lifting, or canvassing neighborhoods. It’s important to
identify the types of tasks you are, and are not, willing to do.
Length of commitment
Would you prefer a one-off assignment or a short- or long-term commitment?
There are many different options with respect to commitment. It’s important to
understand what the organization is expecting – some will require a strong
commitment, whereas others will happily accept temporary volunteers. A good idea
is to begin with a short-time commitment, and increase your contribution if you feel
you can offer additional hours or commit to a longer time period. Consider also
when you will be available – morning, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
Location
Where do you want to be engaged? Within your own community? Overseas? Be
sure to consider travel (i.e., commuting, public transportation). If you’re unable to
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