Is it possible to help and preserve the natural world, without setting a toe outside your door? Perhaps you have some time, Internet access, and a burning desire to make a difference in the world, but your “spare” time is late at night, or you just can’t factor travel into the equation. Many organizations are taking advantage of such inspired individuals who are joining the growing ranks of the “Virtual Volunteer”.
Practically any skill set related to a computer can be utilized online by an organization sharing your purpose line. Virtual Volunteers can do research, write articles and proposals, design graphics and web sites, provide photography, marketing or administrative services, all from the privacy of their own home. Organizations are also often in need of volunteers with legal, financial, technical, grant writing, fundraising, consulting, translation, transcription, proofreading or video and multimedia production expertise. Social networking and blogging have opened another avenue for online advocacy, as these efforts promote awareness and viral marketing opportunities.
By volunteering online people can contribute to a cause of their choice, at their convenience, fitting their volunteer time around their job, college or family commitments. Through an international organization, this mode of volunteerism also allows a person to get involved in an area of the world that is important to them, inaccessible by a daily commute.
Many small or budding environmental organizations with an online presence lack the funding to maintain a full compliment of staff. Virtual Volunteering allows organizations and agencies to expand their volunteer program beyond the traditional scope. Virtual Volunteering is also environmentally friendly: no gasoline used in commuting, less paper consumed. It’s a “win-win” situation.
There are a number of organizations ready to help the potential Virtual Volunteer connect with welcoming organizations. (See links below) You can also contact the environmental organization of your choice via the contact info on their web site to offer your services. Organizations in your community will also be happy for your virtual contribution. Many volunteers find that being able to also work at the physical site on occasion, or to meet face to face with staffers enhances their virtual volunteerism experience – so don’t overlook a local organization as your target.
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Great topic, Jane. I’ve been a “virtual volunteer” for a number of organizations over the past decade, and found it to be most rewarding. Often, it’s the only way I can contribute given the difficulties of scheduling around my professional life.
As it happens, there are a variety of virtual volunteer opportunities right here at ecology.com.
Our juried Articles section, for example, provides educators, writers and those with subject area expertise an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with a broader audience. Articles is one of the most highly traffiked and linked-to areas of the site, and a valuable resource for middle-school, high-school and college students researching a variety of ecological topics.
Videographers can submit work for consideration to the Friday Night Movies feature here at Ecology Today, or to the Ecology TV section. Youngsters (along with their parents and teachers) can share their stories in our Kid’s Corner.
If you’re interested in submitting work for consideration, please send an inquiry to webmaster@ecology.com.