Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find a list of answers to commonly asked questions. In the event you have questions other than that listed below email us at getinvolved@volunteernetworkoc.org or use the online form below.
ANSWER:
The short answer is that we act as a bridge between volunteers and more than six dozen organizations that help disadvantaged people in our community, including individuals experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty.
The short answer is that we act as a bridge between volunteers and more than six dozen organizations that help disadvantaged people in our community, including individuals experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty.
The long answer is provided in our mission statement: Volunteer Network OC is a nonprofit organization designed to connect volunteers to organizations providing services to people in need. Our goal is to bridge the gap between volunteers who want to help but aren’t sure where to start, and organizations who need volunteers but don’t know where to find them. Through our website, user-friendly app, and social media platform, we aim to inspire volunteers and to provide support to the organizations who help feed, clothe, shelter and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Orange County. Our goal is to make volunteering easy and accessible to everyone.
Also, we wish to educate our community about the people who need and deserve our help and the incredible individuals who have dedicated their lives to help those people. We do this with summaries of the organizations, our In the Spotlight post which focuses on those organizations, the Angels Among Us post which shares stories about individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others, and the Inspiring Stories post which describes success stories about individuals who were once homeless or extremely poor and are now contributing members of our community.
ANSWER:
As a registered volunteer, you will receive text message or email updates and information on volunteer opportunities in our community, your volunteer hours can be tracked and totaled each year for your personal reference, and, if requested by you, suggestions will be provided to you for other volunteer opportunities based on your volunteer history and skill set. Additionally, you must be registered to use our mobile app.
As a registered volunteer, you will receive text message or email updates and information on volunteer opportunities in our community, your volunteer hours can be tracked and totaled each year for your personal reference, and, if requested by you, suggestions will be provided to you for other volunteer opportunities based on your volunteer history and skill set. Additionally, you must be registered to use our mobile app.
ANSWER:
Yes. To become an active volunteer through this site, you need to register. As discussed in the preceding FAQ, there are benefits to being a registered volunteer. However, you do not need to be registered to use this site to learn about the amazing organizations that provide food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to people in need in our community, or to learn about volunteer events posted on this site. With that information, you may be able to volunteer directly for an event without registering with us. Either way, we encourage you to volunteer and make a difference in someone else’s life.
Yes. To become an active volunteer through this site, you need to register. As discussed in the preceding FAQ, there are benefits to being a registered volunteer. However, you do not need to be registered to use this site to learn about the amazing organizations that provide food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to people in need in our community, or to learn about volunteer events posted on this site. With that information, you may be able to volunteer directly for an event without registering with us. Either way, we encourage you to volunteer and make a difference in someone else’s life.
ANSWER:
No. We have not implemented a specific program or procedure to screen the organizations supported by this site. However, they are all known to us and have an established presence in our community. If we were ever to learn that an organization was not acting in the best interests of the people it serves or its volunteers, that organization would be removed from this site.
No. We have not implemented a specific program or procedure to screen the organizations supported by this site. However, they are all known to us and have an established presence in our community. If we were ever to learn that an organization was not acting in the best interests of the people it serves or its volunteers, that organization would be removed from this site.
ANSWER:
After signing up, you should download our mobile app to your phone. It will allow you to receive real-time information about upcoming events. Based on your preferences, you will also receive text messages about events that may be of interest to you. But, don’t wait for us to contact you. We encourage you to click the Find a Nonprofit Organization tab to learn about the amazing organizations that provide food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to people in need in our community or click the Get Involved/ View Volunteer Events tab to learn about volunteer events posted on this site. And, of course, you can go to any posted event to begin making a difference in our community.
After signing up, you should download our mobile app to your phone. It will allow you to receive real-time information about upcoming events. Based on your preferences, you will also receive text messages about events that may be of interest to you. But, don’t wait for us to contact you. We encourage you to click the Find a Nonprofit Organization tab to learn about the amazing organizations that provide food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to people in need in our community or click the Get Involved/ View Volunteer Events tab to learn about volunteer events posted on this site. And, of course, you can go to any posted event to begin making a difference in our community.
ANSWER:
Yes. The minimum age is 13. If a volunteer is at least 13 years old but younger than 18, parental consent is required to register on our site.
Yes. The minimum age is 13. If a volunteer is at least 13 years old but younger than 18, parental consent is required to register on our site.
ANSWER:
Yes. Your school or church should have forms available for students to fill out. Bring the form to the event and a responsible person for the organization holding the event will verify your hours and sign the form. This is a common request and nonprofit organizations welcome and appreciate this additional help.
Yes. Your school or church should have forms available for students to fill out. Bring the form to the event and a responsible person for the organization holding the event will verify your hours and sign the form. This is a common request and nonprofit organizations welcome and appreciate this additional help.
ANSWER:
There are many great causes that could use volunteers, but our soft spot is helping people in our community who need it the most. For that reason, we have limited our organization’s focus to serving people who need food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to live. After researching and learning about the many great organizations dedicated to that very cause, we determined that our organization can best help by making volunteering with them easy and accessible to the general population in Orange County.
There are many great causes that could use volunteers, but our soft spot is helping people in our community who need it the most. For that reason, we have limited our organization’s focus to serving people who need food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to live. After researching and learning about the many great organizations dedicated to that very cause, we determined that our organization can best help by making volunteering with them easy and accessible to the general population in Orange County.
ANSWER:
Yes. People of all ages are encouraged to volunteer – that includes people from 55 to 95. In fact, perhaps the largest untapped volunteer resource is people in that age group. They have life skills that are no longer being used, and many of them have time and flexibility. We believe that senior citizens will volunteer if volunteer opportunities are made known to them. Our site and mobile app are the perfect way to bridge that gap.
Yes. People of all ages are encouraged to volunteer – that includes people from 55 to 95. In fact, perhaps the largest untapped volunteer resource is people in that age group. They have life skills that are no longer being used, and many of them have time and flexibility. We believe that senior citizens will volunteer if volunteer opportunities are made known to them. Our site and mobile app are the perfect way to bridge that gap.
ANSWER:
Yes and No. Usually, volunteers are needed to serve or provide behind the scene assistance, such as cooking. However, there are times when an organization could greatly benefit from assistance with painting, bookkeeping, computer networking, and other skilled activities. So the answer is that no skills are necessary but if you have a particular skill set, please share it with us and we will share it with the organizations.
Yes and No. Usually, volunteers are needed to serve or provide behind the scene assistance, such as cooking. However, there are times when an organization could greatly benefit from assistance with painting, bookkeeping, computer networking, and other skilled activities. So the answer is that no skills are necessary but if you have a particular skill set, please share it with us and we will share it with the organizations.
ANSWER:
No. Any amount of time you can give to an organization or event is appreciated. That being said, organizations do need dependable, reliable volunteers. Once you volunteer for a day and time period, you should do your best to be present. If an emergency prevents you from honoring your commitment, we ask that you to let the organization know beforehand, if possible.
No. Any amount of time you can give to an organization or event is appreciated. That being said, organizations do need dependable, reliable volunteers. Once you volunteer for a day and time period, you should do your best to be present. If an emergency prevents you from honoring your commitment, we ask that you to let the organization know beforehand, if possible.
ANSWER:
No. Most often, little or no training is required and any specific instructions can be communicated to you as you work. Also, typically you do not need to bring any tools or supplies with you to the event. They will be provided to you by the organization. The only thing you need to bring is an open heart and positive attitude. With that, you should have a very rewarding experience.
No. Most often, little or no training is required and any specific instructions can be communicated to you as you work. Also, typically you do not need to bring any tools or supplies with you to the event. They will be provided to you by the organization. The only thing you need to bring is an open heart and positive attitude. With that, you should have a very rewarding experience.
ANSWER:
Yes. This site has established protocols to protect your information, including, without limitation, screening employees and establishing firewalls. That being said, no protection is absolute. We do not expect that this site will be hacked, but if it ever is, you will be immediately notified.
Yes. This site has established protocols to protect your information, including, without limitation, screening employees and establishing firewalls. That being said, no protection is absolute. We do not expect that this site will be hacked, but if it ever is, you will be immediately notified.
ANSWER:
Yes. Your information will be freely shared with charities registered with Volunteer Network OC for the purpose of providing volunteer opportunities to you. It will NEVER be sold and will NOT be shared with any other organizations.
Yes. Your information will be freely shared with charities registered with Volunteer Network OC for the purpose of providing volunteer opportunities to you. It will NEVER be sold and will NOT be shared with any other organizations.
ANSWER:
No. As discussed in the preceding FAQ, the information will not be sold by Volunteer Network OC and it will be disseminated only to the charities listed on this site for the sole purpose of sharing volunteer opportunities with you. When a charity registers with our site, it agrees to adhere to these policies and protect your information.
No. As discussed in the preceding FAQ, the information will not be sold by Volunteer Network OC and it will be disseminated only to the charities listed on this site for the sole purpose of sharing volunteer opportunities with you. When a charity registers with our site, it agrees to adhere to these policies and protect your information.
ANSWER:
Yes. Upon request, your name will be removed from our database. However, once you have worked with a charity, it may also be necessary for you to opt out with that particular organization.
Yes. Upon request, your name will be removed from our database. However, once you have worked with a charity, it may also be necessary for you to opt out with that particular organization.
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“The end of all knowledge should be service to others.”
∼Cesar Chavez