FAQs
About the Virtual Volunteering Project
This information was last updated on June 12, 2000
These are examples of online task descriptions for various organizations, including the Virtual Volunteering Project itself. This is a resource to help you write your own online task descriptions. We also have a listing of examples of online volunteering assignments
Most assignments below are written for volunteers who would have already gone through an agency's orientation and evaluation process. They are NOT written as examples of descriptions that would use to market volunteering opportunities to new volunteers (such descriptions would have different information, and would not be this specific, because you would not want a volunteer to start on an assignment until after he or she has gone through your orientation process and you've made the assignment formally).
One of the most important things in writing task descriptions is to avoid creating unreasonable expectations. Don't assume that a particular volunteer has many hours to spend every day on a task, or will be volunteering with your organization forever -- even if they say they are. Keeping expectations realistic means the volunteer won't be overwhelmed, your agency will get the time and materials it needs, and no one is set up for failure.
If your agency involves online volunteers in direct contact with clients (mentoring or tutoring young people, facilitating an online discussion group, answering an e-mail "hotline", etc.) , please e-mail a sample job description to the VV Project, for possible inclusion in this section, so that other organizations can share in your expertise in preparing such descriptions.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ONLINE ASSIGNMENT, please see our section for volunteers, which has extensive information on how to find an online assignment. The opportunities listed below are EXAMPLES only; many have expired long ago.
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Online Research
- Gathering contact information for certain types of organizations via the World Wide Web
- Identify Schools with technology programs and an interest in the arts
- Gather Media Information for Austin Metropolitan Area
- Research Prescott, Arizona area elected officials
- Monitor online news and government sites for information of value to Arizona Pioneers' Home - Volunteers Association
- Weekly Research and Monthly Postings on America Online
- Prepare E-mail-Based Newsletter for SmartGrrls
- Support Clients of Sidelines National Support Network
- Work with SmartGrrls Students Developing an Online Zine in Pagemaker 6.0 and .pdf
- Web Site Proofreading
- Graphic design: Develop a logo / web banner for collaborating organizations
- Develop artwork for use on an American Indian-related Web site
- Assist With Various FileMaker Pro for Mac Database Projects
- Translate Key Web Pages From English to Spanish
- Help Develop An Online Chat Room/Web-Based Bulletin Board
- Web Site Development and Support
- Create an Online Form
Things any online volunteer can do any time. These are specifically for the VV Project, but would be easily adapted for other organizatins.