Re-imagining volunteering after COVID-19

Earlier this month, I volunteered to help with admissions at the 2022 Sony Open in Hawaii. It was the first in-person event I volunteered at in almost two years. I felt comfortable because all the volunteers and attendees were vaccinated or showed proof of a negative COVID-19 test, because it was outdoors at the Waialae Country Club, and because the tournament raised money for Hawaii nonprofits.

It was wonderful to see familiar volunteer faces, meet people who have a passion for helping others (two couples spent part of their vacations volunteering), and feel part of a broader community. Our volunteer coordinator JoAnn was awesome! The days were beautiful and everyone was happy to be there – and masked up.

Some volunteer opportunities have not been able to start up again. I talked with a friend who missed making connections with people who are homebound, and hopes that home visits will start again soon.

How has COVID-19 changed the way we volunteer?

It’s no surprise – there will be more check-ins and more restrictions. Volunteers may need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to be able to help, and continue to wear masks indoors and outdoors. We may even need to wear wrist-bands or other identification showing that someone verified our health status. There may be limits on the number of people who can volunteer at any one activity or time period, so it may be harder to just show up if you have extra time.

Drive-through pick-ups may become drive-through experiences. We’ve already seen drive-through pick-ups for food, supplies, COVID tests, and even graduations. It doesn’t have to be efficient and rushed. Some nonprofits and fundraisers may turn the drive-through into an event experience, complete with photo opportunities, like the Van Gogh Immersive Experience at the Hawaii Convention Center or Show Aloha Land at the Aloha Stadium.

Different ways to volunteer at virtual events. In the past, people volunteered at events to help with registration, direct traffic, staff information tables, and more. Virtual events offer different ways to volunteer, such as answering questions in the chat, helping to facilitate break-out rooms, and even being an “undercover volunteer” who can start off a question-and-answer session by being the first to ask a question (and avoid the awkward silence as people wait for someone else to speak).

More opportunities for teens and seniors to connect. A colleague talked about the need for volunteers to help seniors set up and use video conferencing and other technology. Government and nonprofits may offer tablets or netbooks pre-loaded with everything you need to do video conferencing (camera, speakers, microphone, and app or account), step-by-step instructions, and a volunteer to help out over the phone. And it’s a great opportunity for seniors to tutor students or share their experiences.

In addition, nonprofits may need help updating their technology solutions – it’s a great way for a volunteer to help a nonprofit setup and train people on project management and productivity tools.

What are your favorite ways to volunteer? How have you changed the way you volunteer?

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Tags: Re-imagining volunteering, Volunteer, Volunteering

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