How to Get Involved by Emma Mayerson

Make the Time

It can be hard to "find the time" when you're a busy student trying to cram in community service work when you're taking your finals, or when you're working full time. That's why it's important to make the time. Pick an event in advance, and mark it down on your calendar. Or decide that you're going to spend three hours every week on community service, and then do it.

Find Your Drive

You'll be even more inclined to make the time for community service when you're fighting for a cause that you truly believe in. You don't have to do everything, so if literacy isn't your thing, maybe you'll want to work with an environmental or animal rights organization instead. If you're stuck, do some research, and think about the things that affect your own community the most.

Locate an Organization

There are countless non-profit organizations that would be overjoyed to have you on their team. Idealist.org is a great database of non-profit organizations, and will list volunteer opportunities in your area for a wide variety of groups. Even if there's not a specific volunteer opportunity located, get in touch with any organization that you find interesting. They might not have a hard and fast position for you, but they can probably use backup to help with events.

Start Something

If there's not an organization that speaks to you, start one. The task can be daunting, but if you have the passion and drive to make a change, there are plenty of resources to help you. Schools are a great place to start – if you're in high school or college, talk to a teacher or administrator about what you'd have to do to get a new org off the ground. Not in school? Talk to a member of an established non-profit and see how they got started.

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