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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is your office located?
2. I want to volunteer, but I am really busy. What can I do?
3. I am the Community Service Chair of my organization. How can the Volunteer Center help me?
4. How do I find volunteer opportunities?
5. Is there a minimum or maximum age requirement to become a Volunteer Center member?
6. Are there international service opportunities?
7. What are my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer?
8. What if I want to change my position?
9. Why do you need to collect my service hours?
10. How can I report my service hours to you?
11. Where do you get your funding?
12. Our office would like to participate in our company’s Corporate Volunteer Program. Can you help us get started?
13. Can I volunteer to fulfill court-mandated community service?
14. Our organization would like to know more about becoming members of the WA-ID Volunteer Center. Can you provide a speaker for our next meeting?
1. Where is your office located? Our office is located in the Lewiston Community Center at 1424 Main Street. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday 9-4, and Friday from 9-12. Our phone number is 746-7787, or toll free at 888-546-7787
2. I want to volunteer, but I am really busy. What can I do? We have many opportunities that can meet your schedule. Some jobs can be done from your home, while others can be on a drop-in basis. Throughout the year we have opportunities that become available to volunteer for only one day, or a couple of hours.
3. I am the Community Service Chair of my organization. How can the Volunteer Center help me? The Volunteer Center has a database of over 100 places to volunteer, many with jobs that are specifically designed for groups of volunteers. We can give you a list of those jobs that are available and your group can choose one that you would like to do. The Volunteer Center can then work as a liaison between your organization and the appropriate contact at the chosen job. We will also work to ensure that you are provided the appropriate tools, training and support at the job site to ensure your group has an enjoyable volunteer experience.
4. How do I find volunteer opportunities? The Volunteer Center collects specific detailed information from each volunteer that help us assess your interests and time availability. We keep this information in a database and as jobs become available, we call you. We also encourage finding opportunities on your own through friends, the media and newspaper, and any church or civic organization you belong to.
5. Is there a minimum or maximum age requirement to become a Volunteer Center member? The WA-ID Volunteer Center has volunteer members from every age group! We have several volunteers who are 12, many in their 90’s, and one active volunteer who is 100!
6. Are there international service opportunities? Yes. We do not have them listed, but if you have an interest in an international volunteer activity, we would love to provide you with resources to help find the perfect job for you!
7.What are my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer? Yes, you do have rights and responsibilities as a volunteer.
RIGHTS:
• To be given a job description.
• To have a designated place to work and materials and equipment necessary to do your job.
• To receive recognition for a job well done.
• To do meaningful and satisfying work.
• To be treated as a member of the working team.
• Volunteers 55+ are automatically covered with excess accident and personal liability insurance while you are performing an approved assignment.
• Volunteers will be reimbursed at a rate of $.445 per mile for travel time to and from their work site, as our budget allows, with a maximum of $35 per month.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• To treat your volunteer job as you would a paid position.
• To respect the confidentiality of persons being helped.
• To show up for your commitment, or call the Volunteer Center if you are unable.
• To communicate with your work station and/or the Volunteer Center when you have questions, concerns or suggestions.
• Your volunteer hours and miles should be reported to the Volunteer Center on a monthly basis.
8. What if I want to change my position? Perhaps your schedule has changed, or you decide your volunteer job isn’t a good fit for you, or there is another type of conflict. We understand! Just give us a call and we will help you find a more appropriate volunteer job, or make a note in your file that you are unable to volunteer at this time.
9. Why do you need to collect my service hours? We collect hours for various reasons.
• Your individual work sites (like the museum or the Chamber of Commerce or the hospital) can request reports from us as to how many volunteer hours are worked at their particular work site. Then those work sites can use those volunteer hours as “leverage” when requesting money from various granting programs.
• Those hours are also our “bragging rights.” We get to spread the word about all the good that is going on in the world – right here in Eastern Washington and North Central Idaho.
• Volunteer hours substantiate your membership with WA-ID Volunteer Center and allow us to provide excess liability and accident insurance when you are doing your volunteer work at an approved worksite.
• Your volunteer hours add up quickly and when you have collected 4,000 or more hours, you are eligible to receive the coveted Presidential Service Award from Washington D.C., signed by the President of the United States.
10. How can I report my service hours to you? There are many ways to report your hours to the Volunteer Center. We have a monthly time sheet that you can drop by the office or mail to us. You can email your hours, call them in to us, arrange to be called by our staff on a monthly basis, or enter the hours yourself on our website.
11. Where do you get your funding? Funding is provided in part by Corporation for National & Community Service, Twin County United Way, Nez Perce County, Washington State, VALCAN, Clearwater County, City of Moscow, Moscow/Latah United Way and Albertson''s. We also hold various fundraisers throughout the year, such as the Senior Health and Fitness Fair and a Volunteer Management workshop.
12. Our office would like to participate in our company’s Corporate Volunteer Program. Can you help us get started? Yes, the Volunteer Center can help you find the perfect volunteer activities for your corporate volunteer program. If you don’t have a corporate volunteer program, contact us to set up an appointment to discuss how you can start one.
13. Can I volunteer to fulfill court-mandated community service? Yes, we are more than happy to help you find volunteer opportunities to help you fulfill community service obligations.
14. Our organization would like to know more about becoming members of the WA-ID Volunteer Center. Can you provide a speaker for our next meeting? Yes, we would love to come and speak to your group! The Volunteer Center staff is available to speak to organizations about volunteerism and volunteer opportunities throughout Nez Perce, Asotin, Garfield, Latah, Whitman, Clearwater, Idaho, and Lewis Counties.
Contact Information:
- Lewiston Office - Administration
- 1424 Main St., Lewiston ID 83501
- 9 am to 4 pm ~ Monday through Thursday • 9 am to noon ~ Friday
- Phone ~ (208) 746-7787 • Toll Free ~ 1-888-546-7787 • Fax ~ (208) 743-9573
- http://waidvolunteercenter.org
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