Like many other retirees, I thought volunteering was going to be an opportunity for personal development and social connections after I stopped working. I found that not to be the case. So here is my check list to assess volunteer opportunities that may fit your wish list. The scores can be changed depending on what you are looking for. I higher score is a more intense volunteer experience, a lower score, one that will take less time and resources. You can download the Excel file here so you can score the form easily. volunteer screen.
| Recruitment and training | |||||
| 1 | How long is the volunteer candidate screening process? | 1 month | 2 months | 3 or > 3 months | score |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 2 | Will a criminal record check be required? | yes | no | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 3 | Will training be required | yes | no | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | how long is the training? | 1 day or more | 4-8 hours | 1-4 hours | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Logistics | |||||
| 5 | Can you walk there from home? | no | yes | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 6 | Is parking available? | no | yes | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 7 | How available is parking ? | never | sometimes | always | |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | |||
| 8 | What does parking cost? | <$5 per shift | > $ 5 per shift | free | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 9 | Is parking reimbursed? | no | yes | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 10 | How long does it take to get there from the time you leave home? | < 1 hour | 30-60 min | < 30 min | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 11 | Is it on public transit? | no | yes | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 12 | Personal safety in location | scary | Normal | secure | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 13 | How long is a shift? | 8 hours | 4-8 hours | < 4 hours | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 14 | How many shifts a week are required | 5 or more | 2-4 | 1 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 15 | How long is the volunteer commitment? | More than one month | Less than one month | One time only | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 16 | What about if you want to take some time off? | They can’t accommodate | can accommodate with notice | no problem | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 17 | Can you take the winter season off to be a snow bird | no | yes | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 18 | Morning shift | Yes | no | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| Nature of the work/job | |||||
| 19 | What are the demographics the volunteers? | Students | Job seekers | Seniors | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 20 | What kind of clients? | Vulnerable/ fragile/non English speaking | normal | Low maintenance/easy | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 21 | What is the boredom meter (repetitive tasks with zero mental challenge) | high | medium | low | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 22 | Intellectual challenge | low | Medium | high | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 23 | Social interaction | low | medium | high | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 24 | New skills or knowledge acquired? | none | some | lots | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 25 | Travel required | yes | no | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||||
| 26 | Physical energy required | A lot | some | none | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 27 | Speed required | A lot | some | none | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 28 | Patience required | A lot | some | none | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 29 | Stamina required | A lot | some | none | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 30 | Computer skills required | A lot | some | none | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| 31 | Memory required | A lot | some | none | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Total score | 0 | ||||
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