Use the Internet to apply to volunteer? CAREFUL!
01:45, 27 October 2008
.. Posted in Volunteerism and Volunteer Management.. Link
More and more online applications are popping up on the Internet, with the stated intention of helping to connect you, the applicant, with volunteering opportunities, from helping new, small businesses and nonprofits to going overseas to help orphans. But don't assume that because the organization's stated intention seems a good one, the organization itself must be "good" as well -- or that there is even an organization at all!
No matter how great the web site's pitch is regarding who the organization is going to help, you cannot assume that such an organization is well-managed, officially-registered, credible, and will use your information appropriately.
Before you type any of your personal information into a web site in order to apply to volunteer (and that includes your birth date) look for this information on the web site:
- the history of the organization (when it was founded)
- where the organization is registered with the state or national government, and a physical postal address (this can be a PO Box); even a "virtual" organization must have such
- a listing of the full names of the board of directors or the staff, and contact information for at least some of these people (email address at least; phone number as well is even better)
- a privacy statement (how is information used that is submitted via an online application?)
More information from the organization on its web site is even better, such as testimonials from previous volunteers or organizations served by such volunteers, or biographies of staff that show staff are qualified to offer these services to match you to a volunteering assignment.
Some other resources related to online accountability by nonprofit organizations and NGOs:
Vetting Organizations in Other Countries
Use Your Web Site to Show Your Accountability
