Volunteer questions?

Question

I'm planning to volunteer at a senior/retirement home this summer, and I just have a few questions. What is this about volunteer interviews? Are those like job interviews? Are their....expectations less.....strict? (I gues you could say). And I know why I want to volunteer and work with elders but I don't know how to express it in words, other than "I am interested in helping seniors", any other ....."intelligent" reasons I can give? Also, if you know, how old do you have to be when you volunteer at daycare centers/senior homes? Can they make exceptions when you're one year or so younger? Do you need specific skills , for example, first aid, etc. for these things?

SORRY. I know this is a lot, but I don't know who else to ask. You don't have to know everything. ANYTHING will do . MUCH APPRECIATED!

Answer 1

My wife volunteered to be a mentor, and the "interview process" was actually pretty long and arduous.  My guess is that it's a true test of how much you really want to volunteer.  

If it were a simple process and anyone could volunteer, then "easy come, easy go" as they say.

But they really want to make sure you're committed, because it's very easy to just walk away when a job is not putting food on your table.

I don't know if this site is helpful, but it's an example of how at least one company treats its "volunteer" interviews:

http://www.casanet.org/program-managemen...

First you need to get an idea of "where" you want to volunteer.  Before you interview, you can get those questions answered by calling them, like how old you have to be and what training you might need (if any) ahead of time.

See also:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

http://www.answers4families.org/informat...

I think it's great that you want to volunteer, and I hope this works out for you!