Tips For Calling An Agency: 

Consider this your Volunteer Opportunity Bible of Sorts. Read it. Know it. Love it.  

- Make sure you introduce yourself, and state your name, age and what school you go to.  SPEAK SLOWLY and CLEARLY. We adults are not as quick with the lingo as we used to be. If you have to leave a message, make sure you give your contact information, again as SLOWLY and CLEARLY as possible!

-Tell them why you are interested in their agency, and ask what kind of work they have available. 

-Ask if there is a commitment requirement or if training is necessary. Also ask if there are clothing restrictions (ie, long sleeves and pants or no open-toed shoes.)  

-Tell them if you have any special circumstances (physical conditions, court ordered or school required community service). 

-Ask if you can make a site visit, to get a better feel of where you will be working. 

- Be sure to write down their contact information, the day of your scheduled service and proper directions!

- Show up on the day ready to work, and bring any paperwork you might have from school! Feel free to leave at home the following: ipods, cd players, gameboys, cell phones that constantly seem to ring, your collection of marbles and/or Richard Simmons tapes. You won't need 'em.

-Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions…the more comfortable you feel volunteering there, the more likely you are to stick with it. 

-If you are uncomfortable with something during the project, speak up! The agency has just as much responsibility to provide a quality experience as you have the responsibility to work hard. 

Knock ‘em dead, tiger! (ok, not really cause that’s not nice. but you get the point.)