| How to Start a Volunteer Organization Posted: 18 Jul 2019 01:00 AM PDT Creating a volunteer organization can be a deeply fulfilling and fun process, but it requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Anyone can start a volunteer group with a positive attitude and patient mindset. To create a successful organization, you'll want to carefully define your goals to craft a mission statement. From there, you can build a website, recruit online, and create a project for your organization to accomplish. EditDesigning a Mission - Identify the specific elements of an issue to focus on. Most successful volunteer organizations focus on one specific issue, and identifying your main focus will inform how you design your organization. Brainstorm some issues that matter to you by freewriting on a piece of paper. Ask yourself what kind of change you want to see in the world and then narrow it down from there.[1]
- Your focus doesn't need to be a massive issue like global warming or animal cruelty. It's perfectly fine to focus on a smaller area of concern.
- If you're struggling to think of an issue to focus on, start small. Ask people in your local community what they think could be improved where you live. You're more likely to generate interest in your group if the people around you care about your topic.
- Select an obtainable goal in order to guide your organization. Think about how long it will take to solve the problems surrounding your particular issue, and use this information to estimate a timeline for your organization. People will want to know when their participation in your group could end, so consider starting with short-term obtainable goals.[2]
- It may be that there is no achievable solution to your problem in sight. In this case, consider creating an exploratory volunteer organization—a group that seeks to explore the dynamics of an issue.
- You could also create an awareness group to heighten people's understanding of a topic, or a conservation organization—a group that focuses on saving a specific place or group from potential dangers.[3]
- Determine the action steps that your organization will take. Start by writing down a few concrete steps that your organization will take to solve your issue. It's alright if you aren't sure about every practical detail at first, but you'll need to be able to explain what your organization actually plans on doing in order to generate interest in your group.
- Awareness campaigns, door-to-door surveys, and public protests are all actionable steps that would serve as great places to start.
- Combine your focus, objection, and action steps to write a mission statement. A mission statement should explain your group's goals and plans in one paragraph or less. Include an explanation of why your topic is important in order to justify your organization's existence, and emphasize the specific group that you're serving. If your organization wants to help pets, the environment, or a particular demographic of people, you'll want to make that explicit in your mission statement.[4]
- For example, "Students for Peace is a nonprofit that focuses on preventing inner-city violence by connecting with at-risk youth and running after-school programs to provide a safe space for these young people," is an excellent start to a mission statement. It explains why the group exists, who it serves, and how it helps.
- A mission statement is important because it guides every decision that an organization makes by anchoring it in a specific belief and orientation towards a problem.
- Ask a friend or colleague to proofread, edit, and revise your mission statement. You want it to be as tightly and carefully written as possible, since you'll use it to appeal to your audience, recruit volunteers, and make major decisions.
- Create a name for your volunteer group. If you want attract volunteers and stick in your audience's memory, you'll want to think of a catchy name for your organization. Consider incorporating your group's goal or location in your name. Say potential names out loud to see how the name sounds when spoken. Once you have a name, obtainable goals, and mission statement, you're ready to get started.[5]
- American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Peace Corps are all organizations with great names because they're memorable, catchy, and give you a sense of what their goal is in their name.
- An easy way to come up with a name is to use a simple formula. Take your volunteer demographic, use the word "for," and then include the issue. Examples might look like "Citizens for Justice Reform," or "Young Workers for a Higher Wage."[6]
EditCreating a Foundation - Register your organization with your state or country to make it official. Registering your organization will give it credibility and make it an official group. Every state and country has different laws and rules regarding the registration and incorporation of volunteer organizations. Do a thorough search online for laws regarding registration where you live, and file the necessary applications to make it official![7]
- Registering a nonprofit or volunteer organization typically requires you to pay a fee, but it often gives your organization protection from lawsuits and copyright infringement.[8]
- Create a website so that people can learn about your group. You'll want to ensure that your website contains your mission statement, contact information, future projects, and information on how to get involved. Consider including a calendar or monthly meeting schedule so that volunteers can easily refer back to important dates or events. Try to keep your website simple in terms of design to ensure that it's easy for people to navigate.
- Use a professional web address. A safe way to go is to simply use your group's name as your web address if it's available.
- Weebly, Ucraft, Wordpress, and Google Sites are all popular platforms that are used to create websites. They're also free, and easy to use.[9]
- Squarespace is a popular website builder, but it'll require a monthly payment plan.[10]
- Design promotional materials to market your group. Start with a simple brochure or poster. You can either design it yourself or use an online template. Include a call to action by asking your reader to do something specific, like vote on a particular topic or educate themselves on an issue. Tell the reader to refer to your website for more information, and include contact information about joining your group.[11]
- If you're designing your marketing materials yourself, make sure that you don't violate any copyright laws by including images without the owner's permission. This could get you into big trouble as a registered nonprofit or volunteer organization.
EditRecruiting Members - Approach close friends and family and ask them to help. People that know you intimately are going to be more inclined to help you at the beginning. Consider asking close friends and family to join as registered members of your organization. Even if they don't meaningfully contribute, it'll show future potential members that they aren't alone in joining your group.
- Develop a quick pitch that can be delivered in one minute or less. Make sure that you explain your organization's importance and how you plan to affect change.
- Promote your organization online by using social media. Join Facebook groups and follow Twitter hashtags that relate to your organization's specific goals and overarching issues. This will help you identify people that may be interested in helping and give you an easy platform to promote your group. Encourage people to share your website, and use every opportunity to bring awareness to your topic.[12]
- A good social media post will start off with a call to action, followed by more specific details about your group. A strong call to action will activate interest in your group's solution to a problem. "Save the whales!" or, "Don't you want to improve life here in your city?" are both excellent openers because they provoke the reader to do something.
- Keep hashtags as short as possible in order to make sure that people remember them. They should include an action, whenever possible. "#StopLittering" is a perfect example of a simple hashtag that demands something from the audience.
- Create incentives for volunteers to attract new members. Incentives are an excellent way to get people excited about joining your group. They also increase morale and encourage involvement in your organization. Simple incentives like group outings, meals, snacks, and free t-shirts are excellent motivators that you can use to get people to join your group.[13]
- You can also appeal to an audience's sense of belonging to attract members. Try playing up networking opportunities and telling potential members that they'd make a great fit in your organization.[14]
EditTaking Action and Growing as a Group - Execute your organization's first project. Start with something small and obtainable, like cleaning a section of roadway or creating a petition. You'll want your first project to be something you can celebrate, so don't get too ambitious at the beginning. If you start with a massive project, you could also overwhelm your first round of volunteers, which could scare them away in the future.[15]
- Be open to input from the members of your group. If they can't get behind your idea, you'll have a hard time convincing anyone to show up.
- Keep volunteers engaged by communicating often and finding something fun about your project. If you can listen to music while you work, consider bringing some speakers and playing some fun background tunes.[16]
- Have volunteers sign in by bringing a blank contact form so that you can reach out to active volunteers in the future.[17]
- Delegate responsibilities to other members in your group. Since they're not being paid, it can often be hard to incentivize volunteers to take on additional work. Choose members that enjoy socializing for tasks that involve interacting with people. If there is someone in your group that loves to draw or paint, ask them to create your logo. A successful volunteer group requires a lot of effort, but if you can get your members to contribute in ways that interest them, you'll develop group loyalty and make the organization feel more like a family.[18]
- Ask people about what motivates them directly. You may be able to delegate a lot of responsibilities to members that care deeply about your group's mission. [19]
- Monitor results carefully and celebrate fellow volunteers. Discuss how things are going with fellow members to generate a growth plan. Be open to input from other members of your group when considering how effective a project has been. Make it a point to applaud your group's efforts and celebrate them whenever you can. This will keep your volunteers returning to events and meetings!
- Keep a record of your work and growth by saving important events in a calendar. You can use a physical or digital calendar, but you'll want to track events and membership in order to change your group's direction in the future.
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| How to Pack for a Desert Hike Posted: 17 Jul 2019 05:00 PM PDT Explore the desert with a long hike, but first pack everything you need. Grab a daypack and stock it with essentials like water, food, first aid kit, extra clothing, flashlight, knife, and map. Leave some extra water, food, and medical supplies in your car, just in case. Also be sure to protect yourself from the sun with sunblock, sunscreen, a hat, and long layers. Once you have what you need, go check out the unique environment that is the desert! EditPreparing Your Daypack - Grab a lightweight backpack or fanny pack to store your gear. Function is more important than style in this case. Select a bag that has a few different pockets and is lightweight. Keep your bag as light as possible. You will put all of your supplies in your bag for easy access.
- Include a first aid kit just in case. Grab a first aid kit so you have supplies for any injury. Make sure it includes bandages, gauze, antibacterial ointment, cotton swabs, tissues, alcohol wipes, thermometer, and hand sanitizer. [1]
- Bring common medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- SAM splints are lightweight and are useful to carry in case of injury.
- If you need an EPI pen, be sure to carry it.
- Bring an inhaler if you have asthma.
- Pack at least one gallon of water per person, per day. You cannot have too much water when desert hiking. Dehydration is a serious possibility, so drink lots and drink often. The absolute minimum you should carry is one gallon per person.
- When you are halfway through your gallon, it is time to turn around.
- Make sure you have extra water in your car to rehydrate after your hike. [2]
- Bring an extra jacket if you hike at night. Desert temperatures can drop drastically as soon as the sun goes down, even below 50 degrees. Bring a jacket if you will be hiking past sunset.
- If you plan on being out past twilight, bring a thicker jacket and warmer clothes.[3]
- Bring energy-boosting, high-protein food. Eat before, during, and after your hike. Your body will burn through resources quickly in the desert, so make sure you keep refueling. Eat about twice as much as you would on a normal day. Eat things like nuts, trail mix, or beef jerky to keep energized.
- It is also helpful to eat a large breakfast before your hike. [4]
- Bring things to help you navigate, like a map, compass, and GPS. Maps are a necessary tool to help you orient yourself in the desert. Compasses or GPS devices can help you orient yourself as well. [5]
- Include a knife, multitool, and flashlight for extra preparation. You never know when you will need to scrape off a cactus spine, so bring a knife or multitool like a swiss army knife to be prepared. It is helpful to also have a headlamp or flashlight in case you are out after dark
- Pack a whistle in case of an emergency. If you are injured or encounter a threatening animal, you want to blow a whistle so other hikers or rangers can help you. Clip this to your daypack for easy access. Blow the whistle loud and clearly if you find yourself needing assistance. [6]
- Throw in a trash bag to remove any litter. Be mindful not to toss any litter into the desert on your hike. Bring a plastic shopping bag or a small garbage bag to dispose of any trash. [7]
- Put extra supplies in your car for after your hike. You will want extra water, snacks, and maybe an extra pair of clothes. After your hike, it is important to refuel with water and food since your energy will be depleted from the desert conditions. Drink some water before you leave, and change into fresh clothes if you are very sweaty.
- Desert heat is no joke, so be over-prepared rather than under-prepared. [8]
EditProtecting from the Sun - Pack and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn or sun poisoning. In the desert, you will be exposed to constant sunlight during the day. Make sure you protect yourself from harmful rays. Get sunblock with at least 75 SPF. [9]
- Bring sunglasses to protect your eyes. Because of how bright the sun will be, you want to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Don't bring an expensive pair, in case they are damaged or lost. [10]
- Wear a hat for some shade. In the desert, shade is scarce, so bring your own! Bring a wide hat for extra protection. [11]
- Pack long-sleeve, lightweight clothing to prevent sun exposure. You want your clothes to be breathable and light in color to keep you cool while hiking. Long layers can also prevent bugs or pesky plants. [12]
- It is helpful to research the wildlife and plants that are native to the area where you are hiking. Especially note any venomous creatures and read up on what to do if bitten.
- Avoid dark items, as they will absorb sunlight.
- Electronics can melt in high temperatures. Avoid bringing items that aren't necessary to prevent any malfunction.
- Extreme health risks can result from hiking in the desert, including dehydration, heat stroke, and hypothermia. Be aware of the weather forecast before you go, and be prepared for all temperatures, including dramatic temperature changes.
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| How to Carve a Pineapple Posted: 17 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT Carving a pineapple often means slicing off the ends, skin, and eyes, but there are other ways to use your knife skills to serve up visually stunning fruit. For instance, remove the flesh from a pineapple half to create a fruit basket that can hold a colorful fruit salad. Also, try slicing a quartered pineapple into chunks to create a pineapple serving tray. If pumpkins aren't available, hollow out a pineapple and turn it into a jack-o'-lantern. Carve a pineapple to impress guests and enjoy fruit in style. EditMaking a Fruit Basket - Divide the pineapple in half lengthwise. Lay the pineapple on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice through the entire pineapple, including the stem. To do this more cleanly, press the knife's tip down through the center of the pineapple, then lower the heel of the blade. Turn the pineapple around and repeat this on the other side.[1]
- Work slowly to get a clean cut that makes the pineapple basket look its best!
- Use a smaller knife to cut around the edges of the skin. Position the blade about from the pineapple's outer edge, behind any brown eye spots you see. Carefully cut all the way around the pineapple. Hold the pineapple steady with your other hand and turn it as needed.[2]
- Be careful not to pierce the bottom of the pineapple. Try using a paring knife or fillet knife to cut at the proper depth.
- If you plan on making only 1 fruit basket, select the pineapple half that looks best to you. Store the remaining half in the refrigerator after wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Make a pair of slices in the center to remove the core. Feel the pineapple to identify the hard inner section running from the stem to the bottom edge. Using a sharp knife, slice along the edges of the core, being careful not to cut through the bottom of the pineapple. Then, lift the core out with the tip of a knife or spoon.[3]
- If possible, turn the blade as you reach the bottom edge of the core. Cut underneath it to make it easier to remove while also saving the sweeter fruit around it.
- If you can't remove the core right away, leave it in place. Cut up the rest of the fruit, then scoop the core out with it.
- Slice the remaining fruit into smaller chunks and remove them. Cut across the pineapple's width. Divide the fruit into sections about thick, taking care not to break the pineapple's skin. Slide the chunks out with a knife or spoon.[4]
- Set the chunks aside in a bowl. Cut them up later to add to the fruit bowl or save them for another purpose.
- Store unused pineapple chunks by refrigerating them in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Scoop out any remaining fruit on the bottom of the pineapple. Sometimes a little bit of flesh sticks to the skin, making pineapple bowls look uneven. Use a spoon or melon baller to scrape out these pieces. Save these pieces in a separate bowl to use later.[5]
- These pieces are too small and uneven for the fruit basket, but one way to use them is to liquefy them in a blender and pour the juice over the fruit basket as a topping.
- Fill the basket with colorful, sliced fruit. Any fruit works well in the basket, so choose what you like or what happens to be in season. Break all of the fruit down into smaller pieces that will fit in the basket. For instance, cut the pineapple chunks you removed earlier into smaller pieces about in size. Mix all the fruit up and add it to the pineapple shell to create a colorful treat.[6]
- Expect to need about 4 cups (700 g) of fruit to fill each basket. This amount will vary a little depending on the size of the pineapple and the fruit used.
- Add different colors to the pineapple shell to make your fruit basket stand out. Strawberries and blackberries are a few options that add contrast to pineapple chunks.
EditCreating a Serving Tray - Cut a pineapple in half from bottom to stem. Place the pineapple on top of a cutting board and hold the pineapple still as you slice through it with a long, sharp knife. Cut down through the leafy stem to divide it as well. Work slowly to ensure you get 2 similar halves cut cleanly.[7]
- If you don't have a knife longer than the pineapple, make multiple cuts. Start in the center of the pineapple, then cut to 1 end. Turn the pineapple and cut through the other end.
- Slice the pineapple in half again to divide it into quarters. Set the pineapple on the cutting board with the cut side face up. Hold the pineapple's stem to keep it still. Cut from the stem to the bottom end of the pineapple.[8]
- Repeat this cut for the other pineapple half if you plan on serving it the same way. Otherwise, wrap it up in aluminum or plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you use it.
- Use a smaller knife to separate the core from the fruit. Choose a sharp fillet knife or something similar and lay it horizontally across the pineapple's width. Before cutting, touch the pineapple to locate the hard core running down the center. Slide the knife underneath the core, then slice down to the other end of the pineapple. As long as you don't cut the core, it will stay in place for visual effect.[9]
- Another option is to remove the core right before you divide the fruit into bite-sized pieces. From the top of the flesh, make 2 diagonal cuts, or a "V," towards the bottom of the core, then slide the core off the fruit.
- Run a knife along the skin to separate it from the fruit. While holding the pineapple still with your free hand, cut down into the flesh at 1 end. Follow the contour of the skin over and up the other side. Cut above the brown eyes, leaving about of space between the knife and the pineapple's outer edge.[10]
- If you left the core in place, avoid cutting through it. Stop your knife when it passes through the flesh.
- If your knife isn't long enough to cut all the way through the pineapple, slice about halfway through it. Turn the pineapple around so the other side faces you, then repeat the cut to free the flesh from the skin.
- Slice the fruit into triangles about thick. Divide up the loose flesh with a paring knife. Slip the knife underneath the core, cutting across the width of the pineapple. Cut straight down through the fruit to turn it into bite-sized pieces that are easy for any guest to grab.[11]
- Bigger chunks are fine, but make sure you cut the flesh up evenly so it looks visually pleasing.
- Push the pineapple chunks left and right in an alternating pattern. The pineapple pieces are not attached to the skin, so all you have to do is move them aside with your fingers. Slide them over so they stick out from underneath the core, then serve the trays as a snack.[12]
EditDesigning a Jack-O'-Lantern - Cut the top off the pineapple with a sharp knife. Lay the pineapple flat on a cutting board. Measure about down from the top of the fruit, leaving the leafy stem intact. Slice all the way through the pineapple.[13]
- The best pineapples to use for a jack-o'-lantern are ones that feel firm to the touch. Look for slightly underripe pineapples with green skin and leafy tops.
- Score an X-shape through the core. Look for the brown eyes around the pineapple's rim. Right behind 1 of the eyes, push the tip of the knife all the way down to the bottom of the pineapple. Cut diagonally through the pineapple's center and towards the opposite end. Then, remove the knife and make the second cut.[14]
- The knife may cut through the bottom of the pineapple if you aren't careful. Keep track of the knife's position and make the cuts more shallow if you think you might break the pineapple's skin.
- Use the knife to cut around the pineapple's rim. Start at the end of 1 of the diagonal cuts you made. Keep the knife behind the eyes, leaving a margin between the knife and the pineapple's skin at all times.While holding the knife vertically, slowly make a circle. Basically, you connect the ends of the other diagonal cuts to remove the inner portion of the pineapple.[15]
- Keep the knife in front of the eyes around the pineapple's rim so you have plenty of space to carve out a face later.
- Scoop out the insides with a spoon or melon baller. Remove the quartered inner flesh 1 portion at a time. Slide the spoon around the circular cut you made, then use it to leverage out the fruit. Do this as much as needed until you can see the bottom end of the pineapple.[16]
- The last bit of the core at the bottom may be a little tricky to remove. If you can't scoop it out, try cutting another "X" into it, then use the spoon or melon baller again.
- Move the pineapple chunks to a separate bowl. They are good as snacks or as part of a recipe. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them.
- Draw a face on the pineapple with a marker if you desire. Take a quick look at the outer edges of the pineapple to see if you like any side better than the rest. Then, begin sketching a face onto the pineapple's skin. If you prefer to carve the face freehanded, skip the outline and get a knife.[17]
- Choose a metallic marker, such as one with silver ink. The lighter color shows up better on a pineapple's dark skin.
- Carve out the face with a paring knife or another serrated blade. Orient the pineapple so the outline is in front of you. Then, cut out whatever design you want your jack-o'-lantern to have. For a simple design, try making 2 triangles for eyes, then a long grin with 2 square teeth in the center.[18]
- Another simple way to create a design is to use a drill to make a few holes in the skin. Place the holes where the lines meet on the pineapple's skin.
- Place a light source inside the pineapple. Light a small tea light or install an LED in the center of the pineapple. Set the top back on the pineapple when you're done. The light will shine through the parts you cut out, so you have a decoration ready for the holidays.
- If you don't plan on putting the pineapple outside right away, leave it in the refrigerator. You don't have to wrap it up. It will last at least 5 days, sometimes longer.
- If you plan on eating the pineapple, look for yellow fruit that feels a little soft to the touch. Green pineapples that feel mostly firm make for stronger jack-o'-lanterns.
- For an easier time removing a pineapple core, get a coring tool. It's inexpensive and available at most kitchen supply stores.
EditThings You'll Need EditMaking a Fruit Basket - Cutting board
- Carving knife
- Paring knife or utility knife
- Bowl
- Pineapple
EditCreating a Serving Tray - Cutting board
- Carving knife
- Paring knife or utility knife
- Pineapple
EditDesigning a Jack-O'-Lantern - Cutting board
- Carving knife
- Paring knife
- Spoon or melon baller
- Bowl
- Metallic permanent marker
- Pineapple
EditReferences
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