For any politician looking to run for President or leader of a particular party, image is everything. People want to vote for someone they believe to be kind and generous and a large reflection of that is how much that particular politician donates to charity. Republican candidate Rick Perry has spoken out at great detail for the need of charitable giving during his election campaign – after all, he is positioning himself as a devoutly Christian man and tithes and donations are a strong part of the Christian moral ethic. However, his own history of charitable donations is slightly murkier.
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When a person volunteers, they are performing a service free of charge. Volunteer work can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be extremely daunting. Many different organizations and companies, including hospitals, have volunteer programs that they depend on for certain tasks. Here are five great tips for volunteering at a hospital.

Have a Reason for Volunteering

In a hospital setting, it is highly likely that the volunteer will go through an application, interview and training process. During this time, the volunteer may be asked exactly what their reason is for volunteering. For some, it may be to gain experience while working on a medical degree. For others, it’s the sheer joy of helping those in need while taking time away from the computer, eBay, Presta, and other distractions in life. Whatever the reason, it is important for the volunteer to know exactly what they hope to achieve from the experience.
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We all know some people who, no matter how much they have on their plates, always make time for others. It is those people who volunteer to work in soup kitchens, who stand outside our grocery stores, ringing a bell and holding a donation bucket, who spend their spare time building houses for the underprivileged, and who devote themselves to making the world around them (our world) a better place, and without ever asking for anything in return. America is supposed to be a place that takes care of its people, and in order to take care of the American people on a large scale, it is important that we take care of the individuals who have made their lives a testament to the power of giving. One way we do that is through the President’s Volunteer Service Award. What is the President’s Volunteer Service Award all about? Read on to learn more:

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When looking to find a job in the non-profit world, the first step is to ask around. Network by telling people you know ( family, friends, colleagues) and consider doing some unpaid volunteer or internship work to get your foot in the door, so to speak.

Although most internships are not paid (or paid very little, perhaps just covering food and/or transportation expenses), it can be a wonderful opportunity to also discover your strengths and become aware of the roles and environment when working in the non-profit industry.

The next best resource for work in the non-profit world is obviously the internet. Nearly all of the non-profit organizations and groups have websites which post career opportunities and volunteer positions, and job sites are also useful as many of them have sections featuring jobs in the non-profit sector.

Not only does online research make sense financially (it costs nothing to email!), but it also allows you to learn about the various organizations to discover what suits you best.

Other good places to look are local newspapers, non-profit organizations magazines and newsletters, and bulletin boards at your community center or church.

Remember that only 20-25% of jobs use advertising, so it pays to think out of the box and be resourceful. Perhaps after finding organizations which interest you, you could contact them directly to know first-hand if they have any possible openings. Their websites should also have some useful information and contact details.

And lastly, don’t give up! Always check up on your resources often as new jobs and openings appear daily. Keep on researching, and don’t be afraid to apply even if you are worried that your qualifications won’t suffice. If you have passion and commitment for the job, you could be the best person for it.

Categories: Ideas, Jobs, Organizations, Tips, Volunteering | Tags: career, Jobs, non-profit

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How do you give to charitable organizations? Do you have a specific list of groups and causes that you regularly help out? Or maybe you’re the type that gives whenever you can, whenever someone comes up to you? It does not really matter how you choose to give to charity – it is the intent behind the giving that counts.

However, we have to face the stark reality that not all charities and fundraisers give everything they raise to their clients – those in need. And no, I am not talking about scams. In fact, we have to realize that fundraisers and other similar events cost money. As such, part of the money that people give for charity goes to operating costs.

Now the question is just how much do organizations use for expenses and how much of the money raised actually goes to those in need? The answer varies depends on the organization, naturally. I just saw some figures at the Yakima-Herald relating to this:

To that end, check out the Commercial Fundraiser Activity Report, compiled by the office of Secretary of State Sam Reed. The report, which is available online, tracks third-party, paid fundraisers who operate in the state. There are some 8,800 charities registered in Washington, of which nearly 600 use paid fundraisers.

The 2009 report found that an average of 58 percent of contributions were returned to charity clients. However, while the top 10 fundraisers gave back an average of 89 percent to charities, about a third of the paid fundraisers returned less than 20 percent to their clients.

Less than 20 percent?! It is outrageous, isn’t it? That is why, in my opinion, it is so much better to give directly to causes that you support. Fundraisers are great, but only if you can get assurance that most of the money will go to the deserving.

Categories: Tips | Tags: charity, fundraisers

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