About the Volunteer Center 
United Way of Greater Topeka’s Volunteer Center recruits and mobilizes volunteers, both individuals and groups, young and old, corporate and families, to deliver creative solutions to community problems. Together we can all make this community a better place to live.

Volunteer Information
Looking for a way to get involved? Visit our Volunteer Solutions page and find out how to connect with volunteer projects in your area.

• Volunteer Solutions Website
• Youth Volunteering
• Age 55+ Volunteering
• Group Volunteering
• Court Assigned Community Service  
• Agencies Only
  

Are you interested in serving on a non-profit Board of Directors?

Become a more effective non-profit board leader! Download the Board Leadership Development PDF for information about our 2010 training sessions.

• Click here to find more information about becoming a non-profit board member.

How do I find the right place to volunteer?
Picking a place to volunteer is more than just finding the easiest place to go.  There are many things that individuals should look at when volunteering.

1. What are my interests?
2. What time do I have available and how much time?
3. Do I have transportation available to get to different areas of town, can I ride the bus, or will someone take me to my volunteer site, can I walk?
4. Do I believe in the mission of the agency?
5. Would I rather work alone or with a group?
6. What kinds of activities do I want to be doing at my volunteer position?
7. Do I have requirements that I need to fill for school, church or a club that I need to consider?

The good news is, there is a volunteer opportunity for every one’s situation or interest.  If you need help answering the questions above, ask a family member or friend who knows you well, or even call the Volunteer Center for help with matching your interests.

Youth Volunteering [back to top]
Did you know that children as young as 5 can make a difference in their community?

Did you know on a national level young people volunteer 2.4 billion hours annually? Those youth who volunteers are more likely to do well in school, graduate and be concerned about their communities.

Youth say the benefits of volunteering are:

• Getting to try something new and different
• Meeting new people
• Learning to respect others and their differences
• Learning leadership and job skills

For everyone looking for a volunteer opportunity is as important as trying out a new hobby.

Group Volunteering [back to top]
Groups of volunteers can have an immediate impact in our community. Each year groups build playgrounds, paint walls, mail information, build homes, clean-up parks, and more.

Whether you are a group of co-workers, school group, civic organization, social club, family, sorority, fraternity or alumni association, there are many ways you can make a difference in your community.

Group volunteering is an excellent way to learn more about each other and build up a sense of team. Some corporations promote volunteering as a way for employees to learn more about each other and to see each other in roles different from the hierarchy of the workplace: imagine the secretary being the leader of a volunteer cleanup crew at a beach, and directing a team that includes her CEO!

Tips for Group Volunteering:

• Survey your group members’ interests
• Understand your goal
• Set up sufficient lead time
• Identify a contact person for your group
• Be organized
• Be flexible
• Be dependable
• Have fun
• Take photographs
• Celebrate your contributions
• Assess your project
• Give the agency feedback
• Thank all involved!

You can search online here for a project or contact the Volunteer Center by calling (785) 228-5113.

Court Referred Community Service [back to top]
Even when you are ordered to perform volunteer work, still look at it as an opportunity. The Volunteer Centers works with varies agencies throughout the community to help individuals find community service opportunities. 

By downloading the Community Service Connections (PDF of booklet) booklet you will see what is available at this time.

Tips:

• Make sure you know how many hours you must perform and the deadline for completing your service
• Think about what kind of service you would enjoy so that the work is rewarding
• Think about the skills you’d like to learn
• Make sure you check with your probation officer to assure that your time will count towards your required hours.
• Let the agency know that you are required to do this service by the courts and that you have paperwork that must be completed by your agency supervisor.

Board Leadership Development [back to top]
The Volunteer Center, in collaboration with the Leadership Institute at Washburn University, provides training to individuals who are interested in serving on non-profit Board of Directors. Trainings are led by professionals who are experts in community leadership and are presenting in their area of expertise.

The training consists of four, two-hour sessions that lead volunteers through the topics of board liability and insurance, budgets and reports, fundraising, strategic planning and working together as a community.

The training is scheduled for two different sessions during the year in traditionally in April and August. 

Being a member of a board is another way that the Volunteer Center helps connect people with opportunities to give back to the community. 

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