volunteering

The CivicMinded Companion

volunteering - engaging in service or work without pay through a program run by a community organization such as a school, hospital, museum, environmental group, social service agency, church, food bank, or any nonprofit organization. volunteering (informal) - helping one's neighbor and community - used by the Corporation for National and Community Service to describe service which is not performed in connection with an organization.

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Volunteering in America: 2007 State Trends and Rankings in Civic Life - "the second annual study of America’s volunteering demographics, habits, and patterns by state and region." In 2006, 61.2 million adults volunteered [through organizations] across the United States, representing 26.7 percent of the population. In addition, approximately 5.3 million Americans engaged in "informal volunteering to fix or improve their communities."



State Service Commissions - Each state has a commission to administer national service programs and promote volunteerism at the state level.



California Volunteers - increasing the number of Californians involved with service and volunteering throughout the state. "Governor Schwarzenegger today took first-in-the-nation action ... to establish the new position of secretary of service and volunteering."
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces First-in-the-Nation Cabinet Position for Service and Volunteering. 2/26/08



Points of Light Foundation & Hands On Network - "engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities."



National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks Program (VIP) - "provides a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept and utilize voluntary help and services from the public."



Volunteer Match - "a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer."