Question About Give A Day Get A Disney Day

[Madi100]

How do organizations sign up to be a part of this? I'm kind of frustrated with this promotion, and it's mostly about where I live. I live in a community of 26,000. Searching my area brings up 1 organization, and it is for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I can't sign up to help with them for ONE day. It's an ongoing thing. And, while it's something I've looked at doing in the past, I don't want to give up volunteering elsewhere right now to make that commitment. My problem is not being willing to volunteer. Mine is local places having volunteer opportunities.

So, my question... United Way is listed as an organization for other communities. So are some area community schools. Does my local United Way have to sign-up and my local school sign-up or how does that work. I spend hours at school every week volunteering, and I volunteer for United Way. Can anyone help me out?

 

[TXYankee]

Sent you a PM with an idea that may help.

 

[LeahZ]

We just did our volunteering this weekend. We ran into the same problems as you - small town, no volunteer oportunities. We ended up going 2 hours north to Moline and painting an office building. The man in charge said that Disney actually contacted them to ask if they wanted to be a part of the program. They had just remodeled, so were quick to sign up for painting volunteers.

Maybe you can do a blanket for Project Linus? My parents(who live near us) made blankets for a place 2 hours away and just mailed them in.

 

[sjsjbrook]

Disney was trying to help promote volunteerism. However as a volunter coordinator, I know that most volunteer positions required are ongoing and require training. There are some one time special events, these are usually held in an organization once a year which is why they may not show up as available in your area. Ours are usually in the spring/ summer months. I understand that it is frustrating as a person wanting to volunteer to give a day, but feel for the organizations - all non profit charities, that will have one person in charge of volunteers. This person may be a full time employee, but a lot are part time and some are volunteers themselves.

This promotion is a great idea to promote volunteerism, but the people who have to coodinate the volunteers may find it a nightmare. Imagine working 20 hours a week like I did at my job. Post a positon and have hundreds of people ask for the one day position, trying to get back to everyone would be virtually impossible. Plus to do the other things required in your job. These organizations have small budgets which is why they look for ongoing volunteers to just survive and provide services. The other thing to consider is some volunteer opportunities require screening including references and police checks.

So please be patient when you are looking into these opportunities. Think of the poor volunteer coordinator who is trying their best to give you a free day at Disney.

 

[hockeymomNS]

I had checked in a few times and there was only one or two options in my area. On the weekend, I checked again and there were 10 or 12 and I was able to sign up.

 

[Madi100]

Disney was trying to help promote volunteerism. However as a volunter coordinator, I know that most volunteer positions required are ongoing and require training. There are some one time special events, these are usually held in an organization once a year which is why they may not show up as available in your area. Ours are usually in the spring/ summer months. I understand that it is frustrating as a person wanting to volunteer to give a day, but feel for the organizations - all non profit charities, that will have one person in charge of volunteers. This person may be a full time employee, but a lot are part time and some are volunteers themselves.

This promotion is a great idea to promote volunteerism, but the people who have to coodinate the volunteers may find it a nightmare. Imagine working 20 hours a week like I did at my job. Post a positon and have hundreds of people ask for the one day position, trying to get back to everyone would be virtually impossible. Plus to do the other things required in your job. These organizations have small budgets which is why they look for ongoing volunteers to just survive and provide services. The other thing to consider is some volunteer opportunities require screening including references and police checks.

So please be patient when you are looking into these opportunities. Think of the poor volunteer coordinator who is trying their best to give you a free day at Disney.

I do feel for those people. I know that the people who pay to organize volunteers have small budgets. I'm not complaining about the program. I haven't even gotten to the point of volunteering through this program yet. My frustration is that I do a LOT of volunteering. There are other towns with schools, YMCA's, and organizations that I DO volunteer at already, and I just wish they were in my local town.

I think Disney did a great thing. Volunteering is great. That's why I do it.