written by Meg Martin, GM
Volunteering is supposed to be a good thing.
I know that sounds obvious, but sometimes people say yes to a role because they feel useful, guilty, flattered, needed, or just caught off guard. Then three weeks later they realise they have accidentally joined a committee, agreed to being on a 6-month roster, and become the person responsible for the keys.
So before you say yes, it's worth asking a few questions. Not because you're being difficult. Because a good volunteer role should work for you as well as the organisation.
The first one is simple: What will I actually be doing?
You might be surprised at how many volunteer roles are described in very broad terms.
"Helping out"
"Supporting the team"
"General duties"
That might be fine if you're happy to go with the flow, but if you need a bit more certainty...ASK.
Will you be talking to the public? Lifting things? Driving? Handling money? Working with children? Sitting on a board or committee? Answering emails? Turning up at events?
A role can sound appealing until you discover the bit you really don't want to do is actually about 80% of it.
Then ask: How much time are you really expecting from me?
This one matters.
There's a huge difference between "a couple of hours now and then" and "every Thursday 9am to 1pm, plus meetings". If the organisation says the role is flexible, find out what flexible means in practice.
Can you choose your days?
Can you say no sometimes?
Can you take a break?
What happens if work gets busy or family life suddenly takes over?
Good organisations understand that volunteers have lives. If the answer sounds like, "Well, technically you can say no, but we really need you every week", that tells you something.
It's also worth asking: How long am I committing for?
Some roles are naturally ongoing. Others are seasonal, event-based, or project-based. Neither is better.
The problem is when you think you are helping for 6 weeks...and the organisation thinks you're becoming part of the furniture.
Ask if there's a minimum commitment. Ask what happens if you decide the role is not for you.
You ARE allowed to leave a volunteer role. That shouldn't feel controversial, but people often feel awful about it. Sometimes a role is simply the wrong fit. Better to know that early than spend months resenting every shift.
Another useful question is: Who will support me?
This can tell you a lot about how organised the role is.
Who do you contact if you can't make it? Who shows you what to do? What happens if something goes wrong? Is there someone you can ask questions without feeling like you're bothering them?
A volunteer role where nobody quite knows who is responsible for you can get uncomfortable very quickly.
You may also want to ask: What training or induction will I get?
The answer will depend on the role.
If you're helping set up chairs for an event, you probably don't need a 3-hour orientation.
If you're supporting vulnerable people, handling confidential information, driving clients, or taking on a governance role, you should expect something more substantial.
The important thing is that the level of preparation matches the responsibility. You shouldn't be expected to just "figure it out" when the role involves real risk or responsibility.
Another one: What expenses am I expected to cover myself?
People don't always ask this because money can feel awkward. Ask anyway.
Will you be using your own car?
Do you need to pay for parking?
Buy equipment?
Provide your own clothing?
Cover fuel?
Some organisations reimburse expenses. Some don't. Neither answer is necessarily a deal-breaker, but it's better to know before you commit.
Then there's a question that often gets overlooked: What happens if I don't enjoy it?
That might sound negative. It isn't.
Sometimes the role is different from what you expected. Sometimes the organisation is lovely but the role is not your thing. Sometimes you realise you would rather be doing something completely different.
Ask if there are other roles. A good organisation would usually rather move you into something that fits than lose you altogether.
It's also worth asking yourself a few questions.
Do I actually WANT to do this? Not "would it be good of me to do this?". Not "they seem desperate". Not "I should probably give something back". Do you actually want to be there?
There's nothing wrong with stretching yourself a little. Volunteering can be a great way to try something unfamiliar. But there is a difference between being nervous about something new and knowing, deep down, that you do not want that role.
Pay attention to that. Ask yourself what you want from volunteering too. You are allowed to want something.
Maybe you want to meet people or are trying to build confidence. May you want work experience or miss being useful after retirement. Maybe you care deeply about a cause or you just want to get out of the house for a few hours and do something that feels worthwhile. All of those are valid reasons.
The best volunteer matches usually happen when the organisation is clear about what it needs and the volunteer is equally clear about what they can give. That's not selfish. It's what makes volunteering sustainable.
And finally, ask this: Can I try before I commit?
Sometimes the easiest way know is to do one shift. Go along. Meet the people. See how it feels.
Notice whether someone welcomes you when you arrive. Do they know your name? Do they explain what's happening? Do you leave feeling energised and useful or confused, exhausted, and quietly determined never to return?
That first experience often tells you more than any role description ever will.
Saying yes to volunteering can lead to some wonderful things. New skills, new friendships, a stronger connection to your community, a sense that your time is being used for something that matters.
But you don't have to say yes to every opportunity.
The right volunteer role should feel like a good fit on both sides.
And sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is ask a few questions before you put your hand up.