'volunteering'

UND Big Event volunteers at the library

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is you contributing some of your own time, effort, and talent to help people in our community. Volunteers support our community and add to them in their own unique way using a wide variety of skills, knowledge, and experience. So why volunteer? It sounds like I work hard using my talents with very little reward. 

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”  
- Winston Churchill

The benefits and rewards of volunteering can last a lifetime, not only for those who you are helping, but for you as well. If you are on the fence about diving into a new volunteer experience or having doubts about whether volunteering is right for you, you may find yourself surprised at just how much you can gain from taking the plunge. 

Here are some ways volunteering can affect you positively:

Friends of the Library Book Sale volunteers

Meeting New People

Everyone loves new friends! Being a part of a team with a common goal will help form bonds with strangers that can be life changing. Volunteering creates an opportunity to connect with people with specific shared values and common interests. 

Our teen volunteers have dedicated their time to the Summer Reading Program. Each week our volunteers are learning with our summer reading children and making new friends.

Teen volunteers at Summer Reading Program

Expanding Your World

Volunteering might take you to a new part of your community you never been to before. Learning about cultures and ways of life that are different from one of your upbringing will increase your social flexibility and expand your world view. 

Our volunteer Therese comes to the library once a week to tutor Abdi and his brother. Abdi and his family moved to America less than a year ago and has shown patience and determination in learning to speak, read, and write English.

Learning New Skills

Throughout life, we develop social and professional skills that promote personal achievement. Using those skills for a wider, communal impact can be even more fulfilling. Volunteering will enrich your life and give you a broader purpose and a boost of motivation. 

Volunteering offers you new skills that can be used throughout your career, as well. When you have volunteering experience to add to your resume, you stand out over job candidates who don’t take the time to give back to society. Volunteering highlights your character, passion, and determination!

Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals tackling spring cleaning

How Do I Start?

There are many local non-profit organizations that need volunteers. Volunteer opportunities ranging from health care and mental health, sports, childhood development, food pantries and libraries. 

Need help finding the right volunteer opportunity for you?
Here are a few places to start:

• Search online for organizations in your interest area and see if they have a volunteer page on their website
• A few volunteer websites to search: VolunteerMatch.org, PointsofLight.org, Encore.org, and Volunteer.gov
• Contact local community centers, senior centers, or food banks to find out if they need volunteers--they usually are! 

Volunteer at the Library! 
Volunteers are an integral part of the services we provide. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities for most ages and skill levels! No previous experience is necessary. Contact Robyn at (218)773-9121 / rbenda@egflibrary.org or fill out our Library Volunteer Interest Form to get started.

You may have noticed when you first come into the library the large glass display case. Every month we have a new display to showcase the wonderful non-profit organizations and clubs in our community. 

By partnering with these organizations, we not only get to promote the services and events these groups have, but we also enjoy the unique posters, photographs, and props as we enter and exit the library! Some of these clubs include the beloved Grand Forks Lego Club, North Dakota Ballet Company, and Global Friends Coalition!

We typically book the case a year in advance, but if you run a non-profit group or club in the community and are interested in creating a display, shoot us an email or call us at the library. 

The next time you stop by the library, take a minute to stop and ask about the group on display that month. You might just find your next fun volunteer opportunity or resource!

Here are some links to non-profit organizations we have displayed recently:

Global Friends Coalition: This small nonprofit is dedicated to welcoming new Americans to the Grand Forks community. They pair volunteer mentors with refugees and other new Americans, as well as provide immigration legal services for those needing assistance.

Stable Days Youth Ranch: This non profit organization is a faith based mission that supports and encourages youth personal development. They facilitate one-on-one sessions, using agriculture, art, and nature to help mentor children.

Greater Grand Forks Community Theater: Help support your local community theater! The GGFCT is listed as one of the ten oldest community theaters in the nation, and there are many programs to join for all ages.