Every member of your group can make their own profile on the Boomerang Foundation’s VolunteerMatch site. This profile allows each group member to keep track of their individual and group projects and hours over time. You can create a "special project" for your group on the site that will allow you to connect with everyone with one click.
STUDENT CLUB LEADERS (LINK CREW LEADERS, THAT'S YOU)
Got a group of friends or classmates ready to get started on a community service project? Here’s your guide to help you get organized.
Step 1: Link up with Boomerang and create your individual profile.
Step 2: Choose a cause.
Discuss with the group what the most important issues are to them. What change do you want to see in the world? What do you feel passionately about? Next, vote on it! Here are the categories of causes we suggest at Boomerang:
• Animal Rights and Welfare
• Arts and Education
• Children’s issues
• Environmental issues
• Health
• Poverty
Step 3: Choose an organization and/or build your own project.
Select a nonprofit organization using our Volunteer Match search that addresses that cause your group chose to support. Here are some questions your group can discuss when selecting a nonprofit organization:
• What issue(s) does the organization address?
• How does this organization tackle the problems they address? What programs do they have?
• If you send money to this organization, how will it be used?
• Do you have a choice about how your donation will be spent?
• Do you think people in your community would be interested in supporting this organization? Why or why not?
• Would you be able to tell people about what this organization does, what you are doing for it and feel proud about supporting it?
If you choose to create your own project, check out our Project Planning tool! Whether or not you are partnering with an organization or independently creating a project, this can be helpful in organizing your thoughts and making a plan of action. Once you're finished writing the plan using the tool, you can print out a beautiful copy of your plan.
Step 4: Contact the nonprofit organization.
Go to the nonprofit’s website and see if there are any volunteer and/or fundraising opportunities currently available. Guide the group as they search the website and help them determine who the best person is to contact. Hint, for fundraising projects, it is usually the Director of Development. Another person you can talk to is the Volunteer Coordinator.
Here are some tips to share with your peers before calling or emailing a nonprofit:
• Remember that people who work at nonprofits are busy and usually understaffed.
• Practice good phone etiquette: introduce yourself, speaking clearly, planning what to say ahead of time, etc. (look in our FAQ section to get more tips). It is always nice to tell the nonprofit that you appreciate what they do and that you selected their organization because you believe in their mission.
• It is often a good idea to jot down notes of talking points and questions before making the call.
Click here to find a list of nonprofits we have reviewed and recommend.
Step 5: Plan your project.
If the nonprofit organization does not have a specific project for you to do for them, you can create your own project using one or more of the ideas on the Boomerang site!
The Boomerang Foundation has developed a nice planning tool to help the group create a well-developed plan; The Business Plan. It’s easier than you think. When finished, you and your peers will feel proud of what you did! This is a great feature to include on each of your individual profiles and to include on your Boomerang Resume!
Now the fun starts!
- Make sure you get photos and videos of your project so that you can inspire others and share our progress on your group page. Remember to tag your videos and photos on the Boomerang Foundation’s site.
- Gather all of the interesting information you can find about the organization you want to support. You can ask someone from the organization to give you brochures if they’re available.
- Spread the word! Use Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (with your parent’s supervision!) to send out the details – Who, What, When and Where!
- Advertise! Put up posters, run ads in newspapers, call the radio stations, send out a press release (click here for a sample press release).
- At your fundraising event, make sure you are gracious, polite, and thankful. Thank everyone for anything and everything they contribute.
Step 6: Give your gift.
Send your donation to the organization with a note about what you did and be sure to share any exciting experiences you had along the way!
You can send your donation online or by mail. We recommend NOT sending cash.
Step 7: Tell the world and inspire others!
Let people know about your project and the organization you are supporting. It will inspire others to make the world a better place. You can create a special project in the VolunteerMatch section of this site and share your ideas with others using Volunteer Match or you can use:
- Posters
- School bulletin
- Websites
- Newspaper (see Boomerang Press Release Instructions)
- YouTube tagged videos
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Radio
Don't forget to celebrate your success!
