What is Virtual Volunteering?
Virtual volunteering refers to volunteers undertaking voluntary tasks completed in whole or in part over the Internet. It is also known as online volunteering, cyber service, online mentoring and teletutoring.
Recent developments in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has opened up many new possibilities for this type of volunteering. This in turn allows organisations to involve more volunteers and thus achieve more of its aims. This type of volunteering is not a replacement for face-to-face volunteering.
Types of Virtual Volunteering
1. Technical Assistance – Where a volunteer assists the organisations itself, the main focus being on managing end results. Examples include:
• website design / maintenance
• desktop publishing
• graphic design
• research and policy work
• media monitoring
• translation
• writing / copy-editing
• data entry / database management.
2. Direct Client Contact – Where a volunteer assists the organisation’s client group. Examples include:
• electronically ‘visiting’ someone who is house bound
• sending emails to users of support groups
• on-line mentoring
• distance learning
• language teaching
• moderating a chat room or newsgroup.
Benefits of Virtual Volunteering
For the Organisation
• It allows organisations to involve a greater number of volunteers which they may not have the space or facilities for onsite
• Involving virtual volunteers can often be more cost effective as the organisation may not have the funds to supply the volunteer with travel costs or equipment
• It’s environmentally friendly
• It opens up volunteer opportunities to a great number of people from across the globe
• Allows the organisations to involve volunteers with physical disabilities that their onsite premises may not be able to cater for.
For the Volunteer
• Allows volunteers with home based commitments to partake in volunteer opportunities
• It’s environmentally friendly
• Time zones are unimportant and it can therefore be suitable for those with time constraints and/or unusual working hours
• Suitable for volunteers without transport or living far away from an organisation
• Allows volunteer to gain skills and experience in ICT
• It can allow volunteers to take on roles and responsibilities that their professional work may not provide
Some Virtual Volunteering Opportunities Available
Opportunity – Digital Marketing Mentor
Organisations – Value Added in Africa
What’s involved – Work for 2-3 hours per week over a 3-6 month period, virtually (by email, Skype etc) with an African company. Together develop an appropriate and time-bound marketing plan with an emphasis on digital marketing, facilitating the transfer of skills between both parties. To provide African businesses with access to the latest knowledge in digital marketing.
Opportunity – Transcriber/Letters 1916
Organisations – Letters 1916
What’s involved – This organisation is looking for volunteers to be a part of the research process by helping to transcribe letters written during 1916 – a key period in Irish history. On the https://letters1916.ie website, transcribers pick topics they are interested in (the Rising, the Great War, love letters, etc.). This work is carried out online, so the volunteer(s) can work from home and to their own schedule.
Opportunity – Translation and Editing – French to English
Organisations – All Together in Dignity Ireland (ATD)
What’s involved – On the 27th of May, the body of Geneviève de Gaulle, the former President of All Together in Dignity France (ATD), will be placed in the Pantheon in Paris with three other people for their role during the Second World War as leading members in the resistance Movement. The Pantheon, is dedicated to famous and important French citizens, whose lives are recognized for their exceptional action. Geneviève de Gaulle was really important person too for ATD France.
For this reason ATD Ireland will organise a week of events highlighting the life and struggles of Geneviève De Gaulle. It will take place from 23rd May to 1st June 2015. This special week will be dedicated to making her commitments known and among them, the major role she took for 35 years with ATD. Our project will create greater awareness about ATD Ireland within the Irish community and among French people living in Dublin too.
In order to achieve the aims of this project, we are looking for native English speakers to support a group of French speaking volunteers. First task will be to translate quotes from Geneviève de Gaulle from French into English. The text will be emailed to you for translation.
Opportunity – Public Relations Officer
Organisations – Killarney Cougars
What’s involved – A volunteer is required to act as Public Relations Officer for a basketball club.
The tasks involve:
– Promotion of the club
– Providing notice of upcoming matches and events
– Sending the results of matches to the local media
– Sending out press releases when necessary
– Updating the website
Opportunity – Translator/Proof-reader
Organisations – The Rosetta Foundation
What’s involved – Share your language skills for a good cause! The Rosetta Foundation offers virtual volunteering opportunities for translators/proof-readers of all languages. To help non-profit organisations all over the world with their translation needs, simply register on www.trommons.org to view texts requiring translation or review in your language. Once you find a task that interests you, just download it and start translating.
Opportunity – Website/Social Media Developer
Organisations – Pydo Foundation
What’s involved – This organisation is looking for a volunteer who can help us to develop our existing website, bring it up to date and highlight our services and programs. He/she will suggest updates and make ongoing improvements, then to maintain the site, and linked the organisation with our social media accounts. We would also like you to be able to keep our status up to date on our social media outlets.
Opportunity – Graphic Designer
Organisation – Pydo Foundation
What’s involved – This organisation is seeking support with the design & layout of various promotional and marketing materials for our organisation. This can be done by virtual support, and arrangement can be made to meet volunteer at an agreed location.
