FAQs
About the Virtual Volunteering Project
Virtual volunteering means volunteer tasks completed, in whole or in part, via the Internet and a home or work computer or a hand held device (like a cell phone). It's also known as online volunteering, cyber service, telementoring, teletutoring, and various other names. Virtual volunteering allows agencies to expand the benefits of their volunteer programs, by allowing for more volunteers to participate, and by utilizing volunteers in new areas.
Many people actively search for volunteer opportunities they can complete via home or work computers, because of time constraints, personal preference, a disability or a home-based obligation that prevents them from volunteering on-site. Virtual volunteering allows anyone with Internet access to contribute time and expertise to not-for-profit organizations, schools, government offices and other agencies that utilize volunteer services.
Virtual volunteering is similar to telecommuting, except that, instead of online employees, these are online volunteers.
Many organizations now involve online volunteers, often in addition to their onsite volunteering program. The Virtual Volunteering Project documents outstanding cyber service programs and experiences and shares best practices and learnings about online volunteering via our Web site, as well as through VIRTUAL VERVE, our monthly e-mail newsletter, and in-person presentations and workshops.
Virtual volunteering does not mean that volunteers work ONLY via the Internet. Many organizations find a combination of onsite and online tasks for volunteers works best for everyone involved (volunteers, staff, clients). Assignments can have different levels of virtuality. For instance, one volunteer may interact with clients online but meet onsite with a staff member regularly; another may talk with a client via email in addition to their regular face-to-face visits.
Virtual volunteering sometimes also refers to the ways volunteer managers use the Internet to interact with all volunteers, regardless of where service is performed. For instance, some organizations allow volunteers to use e-mail to submit time sheets and progress reports, and other organizations use e-mail to communicate with all volunteers, rather than sending them materials via postal mail. The resources on the Virtual Volunteer Project site can help in these situations as well.
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