(If you're a church, nonprofit or charity organization that is involved in volunteer projects and would like to be added to this Web site, tell us about yourself.)

Effective volunteerism requires organization.  But you don’t have to do that on your own. With so many groups that are already bringing structure and organization to the table, you can simply tap into their efforts and make a difference under their mantle.

Many of these names are well known – the American Red Cross, for example. Others are familiar to you – your local church, nonprofit or charity organization, for example. Yet there are still countless other groups that would welcome your participation as well.

Before teaming with an organization you're not familiar with, do your research. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

› Choose an organization that matches your personality and beliefs.

› If possible, talk with others who have worked with organizations that interest you.

› Find an organization that can match your skills to a project or have training programs to help you learn new skills.

 

Also try asking your family, friends and colleagues for ideas about how you can join in. Checking your local paper for community-interest articles could spark an idea. Also, check with local organizations, like libraries, museums, parks, hospitals, homeless shelters, non-profit agencies and food banks. And don’t forget local chapters of international organizations, like Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross.