Why volunteer for NGO Management?
NGOs, an abbreviation for non-governmental organizations, play an important role worldwide supporting people, nature, and animals when governments don’t have the resources to contribute. Developing countries struggle to maintain a decent quality of life across the entire population which is why external organizations step in and assist. They take initiative in both community and environmental issues where there’s a lack of government legislation and resources. Make a difference in the world and allow these non-profit organizations to fulfill their purpose despite limited resources.
Did you know this about NGOs? Tech Report NGO has gathered some interesting facts on this topic:
- There are an estimated 10 million non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide.
- The number of people worldwide donating money to NGOs increased from 1.2 billion in 2011 to 1.4 billion in 2014. By 2030, the number is expected to grow to 2.5 billion.
- Nearly one in three (31.5%) people worldwide donated to charity in 2015 and one in four (24%) volunteered.
- If NGOs were a country, they would have the 5th largest economy in the world.
- With over 3.3 million non-governmental organizations, India has approximately one NGO for every 400 people.
These programs work separately from governments and rely on their own efforts to raise funds to perform their activities. Volunteers are an invaluable asset to NGOs because they bring new ideas, external experience and essential helping hands.
Volunteers who are looking for hands-on experience in an NGO will gain great personal and professional experiences by volunteering for NGO management. Responsibilities vary depending on the duration of your stay. Volunteers invested in the program for a longer period of time can take on tasks like developing strategy and implementing procedures to enhance performance.
What will I do as a volunteer for NGO Management?
Requirements of each NGO will vary somewhat but they all need support. Whether you have a lot of workplace experience or are curious to learn, there are tasks that are suitable for everyone.
As a volunteer for NGO management, you will help ensure smooth operations of the NGO and help out where needed. NGOs are volatile environments where a lot of flexibility is required to. There are plenty of tasks to fulfill and tasks assigned will depend on your experience. The longer you plan to stay at the project, the more responsibilities that will come your way. Let’s take a look at some of the tasks you will face as a volunteer for a non-governmental organization:
Administration
Well organized volunteers who enjoy office tasks can support the administration side of the business. This will include:
- filing,
- photocopying,
- answering the phone and making calls and
- typing up documents
- recruit, manage and support volunteers
- strategy to organize tasks and manage operations
Marketing
If you’re not the most organized person in the world but have a creative streak, you can work in the marketing department of the organization. Spreading awareness about the volunteer project will attract future volunteers and potential investors. Tasks in the marketing department may include:
- Website updates
- Writing articles
- Uploading pictures or video
- Creating webinars
- Creating flyers
- Writing brochures
- Strategy for advertisement
Fundraising
NGOs survive thanks to funds raised, donations and grants. To achieve this, you’ll be responsible for:
- Working on fundraising strategy
- Sending out flyers to the appropriate parties
- Creating proposals
- Organizing fundraising events
Whatever you’re focusing on during your volunteer experience, whether it be tasks like the strategy development, organizing a webinar or creating fundraising proposals, you’ll need initiative and problem-solving skills. These will help you coordinate and manage projects you’re responsible for. This will be a challenging but rewarding experience as you will witness first hand what your efforts are contributing to.
Make a difference in the world and join a non-profit volunteer program. Volunteers are the most valuable resources and make all the difference in the organization. Support a local community that has limited opportunities. Whether your input is making a video to promote the organization, organizing events to raise funds or giving webinars for future volunteers, your input is essential.
A day as a volunteer in NGO Management
You will likely start the day with office work related to marketing, recruitment, fundraising or database management. This may be followed by an introductory tour of the organization to new volunteers arriving at the organization. When there are events, you will take part in organizing and preparing for the event or webinar.
Most non-profit volunteer jobs will expect volunteers to work a set number of hours a day, similar to a workday. After that, volunteers are free to explore their surroundings. Consider it a perfect balance of work and play.
Skills that NGO Management volunteers will need
You may wonder if you are cut out to be an NGO Management volunteer. We have listed a few personality traits which are great to have:
- a social mindset
- a good work ethic
- the ability to work as part of a team
- great communication skills
- adaptability to different types of tasks
- problem-solving ability
- initiative
- enthusiasm
- resilience
- a non-judgmental approach and respect for diversity
- great cultural awareness
- a professional attitude to work
- a strong regard for health and safety
- eagerness to travel
- dedication
It’s not necessary to tick all the boxes but it’s a good indication of which traits will complement the team of the non-profit volunteer organization. If this sounds like you, don’t hesitate to apply and discover a whole new world.
What language skills are required?
English is the main language on all projects so it’s important that volunteers have a good understanding of English. This is important to communicate with the staff at the project center and other volunteers. For projects in South America, it would help if you gain a basic knowledge of Spanish prior to going as most locals don’t speak any English. Knowing some Spanish words would definitely kickstart your volunteer adventure and save you valuable time.
Best places to volunteer for NGO Management
Are you excited to volunteer but not entirely sure where? There are over 20 projects around the world where you can portray your managerial skills and support organizations that will contribute to a meaningful cause.
Latin America
Volunteers who have always wanted to experience island life can head to the Caribbean where you can donate your time and efforts while enjoying walks along the beach and breathtaking sunsets. South American hotspots like Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina are at your fingertips if you decide to volunteer. Experience these unique locations while you roll up your sleeves and support one of the many NGO organizations.
Africa
Experience the real side of Africa and travel to Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania or Zimbabwe. Take this chance to discover these destinations off the beaten track and give NGOs the support they desperately need to continue making a difference.
Asia
Volunteers who have lost their heart to Asia will be welcomed with open arms in South East Asia. Experience life in the tropics and learn more about the difficulties this region is facing. There are several options for volunteers to dedicate their time and show off their managerial skills.
Top 5 benefits of volunteering
There’s no doubt that volunteering in itself is a fantastic thing to do. By volunteering, you will support organizations to continue their activities. But let’s take a look at the benefits you will encounter when you decide to volunteer:
- Learning Opportunities
Volunteering opportunities for NGO management will give you hands-on experience and teach you what it takes to run a foundation. This will be a great opportunity to gain professional experience abroad and practice organizational skills. The longer you commit to a program the more responsibilities you will get. This experience will be great to mention on your resume for future job opportunities.
- People
Once you decide to volunteer, you will be sure to meet a lot of individuals. You’ll be in touch with the local community and connect with other volunteers who have similar goals and interests. You’re bound to build some meaningful friendships that may last for years to come.
- Experiences
By volunteering, you’ll be forced out of your comfort zone. Traveling to the other side of the world and working on a specific project will allow you to experience something completely different. New experiences are incredibly valuable because you build resilience and become adaptable and flexible. This experience will prepare you for future endeavors that are yet to come.
- Happiness
Research has shown that people who contribute to an external cause are happier. Volunteering gives people a sense of purpose and those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, function better and suffer less from depression later in life. Volunteer and witness how your life improves, it’s just a click away!
- Travel
This is your chance to explore the world and discover some of the most interesting places the world has to offer. You’ll be doing this while contributing to a meaningful cause. What are you waiting for? Get out your luggage and start packing!
How do I get started as a volunteer for NGO management?
You’ve decided you want to volunteer NGO Management and show off or improve your managerial skills. Once you’ve taken a look at some of the available voluntary work programs you would love to be part of, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way:
- Check whether there’s a match between the project and your skills.
- Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be somewhere you are willing to travel to.
- Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and your schedule match up.
Let’s take a look at the practical steps:
Insurance (Health & travel)
We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for many organizations abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan for volunteers is already in place.
Visa, Passport and Documentation
Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!
- Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in.
- Make sure you have a valid passport considering the requirement of the host country.
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