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It used to be that your primary options for finding volunteer work would be to read your church newsletter or scan the community center bulletin board. Not anymore. Now, finding volunteer work is a lot like trying to find a love interest online -- complete with profiles that include pictures, testimonials and reasons why you'd be the perfect match. More than 65,000 nonprofits list their projects and volunteer needs on VolunteerMatch, the largest online network of volunteering opportunities. Persons seeking charity work can search for opportunities by location, interest area or keyword. The goal is to tap the millions of online users who may be willing to donate money to a good cause or lend a hand, expanding the reach of nonprofits that typically have limited marketing and recruitment funds. Organizations that list their volunteer openings on VolunteerMatch include the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, National MS Society, Easter Seals, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
Read on to find out more about how VolunteerMatch helps nonprofits get the help they need. The basic service on the Web site is free and requires filling out a series of online registration forms that take about 15 minutes to complete. As part of the registration, VolunteerMatch requires organizations to submit their employer identification numbers (EIN) to verify their status as a nonprofit. VolunteerMatch also provides an upgraded option called Community Leader that gives nonprofits a greater range of Web tools to boost their recruitment efforts, manage existing volunteers and promote their mission. Community Leader also gives nonprofits a 15 percent discount on postings in more than one zip code and highlights their listing in blue, giving them greater visibility to site visitors. Read on to learn how VolunteerMatch helps volunteers find charities they like. With 77 million baby boomers in the prime of their volunteering years (ages 42 to 60), charities are trying harder than ever to recruit them.
For volunteers, VolunteerMatch's best feature is its search page, where users can find openings at particular organizations as well as find opportunities specifically for kids, teenagers, families and groups. From setting up tables for a fundraising marathon to designing Web sites for social services groups, you'll discover scores of places that may need your special talents. When you do a search on the site, the listings are presented with the newest postings first. But by using the dropdown menu at the top of the form, you can re-sort the list by distance from your home, duration of service or date. You can also set up an e-mail alert to notify you when a listing matching your interests is posted to the site, upload your volunteer resume, invite other people to volunteer with you and sign up for VolunteerMatch's monthly newsletter. Once you find a listing that interests you, simply click on "I Like This Volunteer Opportunity" and complete the required form. When you're done, an e-mail is sent to the organization signifying your interest. The organization should contact you after getting the referral. The site also provides a resource center for volunteers with tips on how to make the most of charity work and how to choose the right organization as well as webinars on those topics. To learn more, visit the links on the next page. Who Are These People? PR Web. "New Awareness Campaign from VolunteerMatch Celebrates the Contributions of America's Leading Volunteers." Press Release Newswire.
So, you want to be a lawyer. You've worked hard in college to keep your GPA high, and you've carefully researched law schools to find the one you'd like to attend. There's only one thing left standing in your way before you can complete your applications: the LSAT. But what is the LSAT, and why does it instill fear and dread in so many students? The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test given to all law school applicants. It's similar to the SAT exam you took in high school but is aimed at those looking to enter the legal profession. The test is developed and administered by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), and it can play a major role in getting into law school. All ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, Canada and Australia require applicants to submit LSAT scores as part of the admissions process.
These scores not only determine whether you'll get into the law school of your choice, but can also have an impact on future ABA membership as well as career opportunities. Contrary to popular belief, the LSAT doesn't measure a person's legal knowledge. It's a test of logic and reasoning, as well as reading comprehension and critical thinking. It indicates the candidate's ability to succeed in law school, as well as in the legal profession. If this test isn't about all the legal knowledge you've gained in your pre-law classes, how are you supposed to prepare for the LSAT? Read on to the next section to learn about the different study options that are available for test-takers and where you can find official practice tests. With so much weight placed on LSAT scores, it's important to take the time to prepare yourself for the exam before you register. The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) recommends studying for the exam using resources found on the organization's Web site.
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