Everyone claims he or she wants to make a difference and help others, and volunteering is certainly an easy and basic way to do that. Many people have been volunteering for years, but retirement gives one more time and a lot more choices.

For those who are new to volunteering, choosing an activity may seem like an overwhelming task: so many places, so many choices, where to begin? Do you want to do something political; help the environment; work with the disadvantaged, with the elderly, with kids? Perhaps you want to do a little of all of these. The challenge may be to figure out how to use your time wisely so that you don't spread yourself too thin.

After all, it's easy to over-commit when every opportunity sounds interesting and each organization could really use your help. Before signing up for a long-term commitment to any volunteer organization, look at your own calendar and travel plans. Consider your exercise schedule, plans with friends, the activities that you have promised to share with your spouse or partner, and other commitments already on your plate. You must plan carefully so you'll be sure to have the time and energy to do whatever volunteer task you decide is right for you.

Here are a few things to consider before you sign up to volunteer. They can save you a lot of time and disappointment as you enter the wonderful world of helping others.

• Be realistic and clear about the amount of time you can commit. It is easier to start small and increase your hours than to have to back out because your schedule is overwhelming you.

• Visit the organization you are interested in before committing yourself. Get a sense of the staff and clients you will be working with and an overall feel for the environment.

• Find out about the agency's purpose and how your role as a volunteer fits into that mission. Sometimes what may seem an insignificant contribution to you makes all the difference to the people you are assisting.

• Ask for a job description of your volunteer work. It helps you decide if the work is an appropriate fit for you, and it provides a set of standards or expectations when you do volunteer. You don't want to set aside time to give an agency only to arrive and find there's nothing to do.

• Ask about training and supervision. If an organization is asking you to perform a task, will they provide the support necessary for you to be successful?

• Volunteering is an opportunity for personal growth. Don't be reluctant to request an evaluation of the work that you perform or a letter of recommendation, should you decide to list your volunteer service on future job applications.

• Enthusiasm is key. If you are not excited about the program, the chances are that you are not going to be thrilled with giving up time in your day to go there. But, once you make the commitment, volunteering is an obligation and must be treated as seriously as you treated your business, which means goal setting, scheduling, and teamwork.

When deciding on the type of volunteering you want to do, ask yourself if you would like to use the skills you have been using in your work or if you feel like trying something entirely new. If the job you retired from required writing, for example, you could use your expertise writing newsletters, fund-raising letters, or brochures for any number of nonprofit organizations.

But the fact that you are already good at something doesn't mean you must use that skill in your retirement. Volunteering could be an opportunity to learn something new. If you really love animals or plants or working outdoors and want to combine that interest with volunteering, start by looking for an opportunity that would let you do that.

You get out of your volunteer work what you put into it. Volunteering requires no special degree or prior experience. All you need is a willingness to help. Go for it!

More ideas about what to do with your new free time can be found in Reinventing Retirement: 389 bright ideas about Family. Friends, Health, What to Do and Where to Live, by Miriam Goodman, at your bookstore now.

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posted at 02:08:47 PM