Become a Volunteer

There are many opportunities for Volunteer Service with The American Friends Service Committee.

Time commitments are flexible and range from a few hours a month to a full time internship.

Some choose to be part of the AFSC Program Committee, helping with the fundraising and activity planning. Your service may encompass such activities as answering phones and help in the AFSC Montpelier office to organizing a major rally or demonstration -- with lots of interesting activities in-between these levels of involvement.

Talk to the AFSC Vermont Staff and work out the scope and timing of your contribution to the important work of The American Friends Service Committee.

 

For Further Information, Contact

Joseph Gainza, Vermont AFSC
73 Main St., Box 19
Montpelier, Vermont 05602-2944
(802)229-2340
jgainza@afsc.org

Reaching "Clarity"

Queries for Volunteer Service
Adapted from the March 1993, Friends Journal


Queries are traditionally used by the Quakers to help achieve clarity on issues or major undertakings. They are a particularly effective tool when considered meditatively from a place of silence. Go through the exercise - take the time to write your answers to these queries - perhaps discuss them with your family, mentors & peers. Put them away for a time, and then answer them again - compare your responses - has anything changed? Reaching "Clarity" is certainly a worthwhile goal in any endeavor.

To be truly effective as a volunteer, it is important to be clear about our motivation to serve others. This doesn't mean that if we discover our motivation is more self-serving than altruistic, that we shouldn't continue to volunteer. It does mean that we know our emotional and motivational starting point. We are certainly better equipped to help others if we come from a point of self-awareness and honesty than from a point of self-deception. This is called "Clarity", and will serve well to guide us in working with others.
  • What is the basis for my desire to do volunteer service?
  • What sort of service work have I done in the past?
  • What do I expect to offer as a volunteer?

  • What do I expect to receive as a volunteer?

    How do I react to:
    - - Working with a team or group of people.
    - - Taking and giving criticism.
    - - Working with stressful situations.
    - - Dealing with cultural or personality differences.

    What are the most difficult things I anticipate experiencing as a volunteer?

    What leads me to this specific position?

    What resources will I have for technical, emotional and spiritual support during my service?