Virtual/Remote Family Volunteering Program
Things look a little different at Generation SERVE! You might be wondering what we are up to now that we are all staying home more and can’t volunteer in groups like we usually would. The answer: we are still serving in any way we can! Since April, we have started putting together a virtual and remote family volunteering program to keep you and our community safe while we still meet the needs of our partners.
While we will have a few in-person events now and then, the majority of our family volunteering projects will take place at your own home. Here are some commonly asked questions about this new format.
While we will have a few in-person events now and then, the majority of our family volunteering projects will take place at your own home. Here are some commonly asked questions about this new format.
Virtual/Remote FAQs
1. Does Generation SERVE provide supplies?
A. It depends! Your activity may require you to pick up supplies at Generation SERVE’s office or another location prior to your activity. This can only be done during our designated pick up times since our staff is working remotely and only at the office by appointment. Your activity may require you to provide some or all of your own supplies. This is very different from how Generation SERVE usually operates, but because many of our supplies are shared and reusable, we cannot loan them out at this time. Usually the items we ask you to provide are common, like craft supplies.
2. Where and when do I pick up my supplies?
A. The supply pick up times and location are listed in the activity description on the calendar and you will also receive an email from our team the Monday prior to your activity with more specific instructions.
3. Why do we have a Zoom meeting for the volunteer project?
A. Learning about the community's needs and why you are doing the project is an important part of volunteering! During this meeting, a Generation SERVE lead will hold a short discussion to talk about the purpose of the project and answer questions you might have. This should only take about 15-20 minutes and will be right at the beginning of the activity start time listed on the calendar.
4. I didn’t get my Zoom link! Help!
A. Your Zoom link was sent via email on the Monday before your project. If you cannot find the email, first check your spam folder. If it’s not there, contact us at contact@generationserve.org.
5. I missed the Zoom meeting! Do you record them?
A. You can return any unused materials to Generation SERVE’s office on Thursdays between 12-2 pm.
6. I picked up supplies but I can’t finish the project. What do I do?
A. You can bring back any unused materials to Generation SERVE’s office.
7. It seems like you have far fewer activities than you used to have. Are you adding more?
A. Right now, many of our partners have either reduced the number of volunteers they need, are not using in-person volunteers, or are restricting volunteers to ages 18 and up only. Additionally, most of our projects are only possible to do on-site or in person. We are working with our partners to find fun and meaningful ways to continue serving from home and will add as many projects as we can! We appreciate your patience and your willingness to get creative with us during this time.
8. Since this is online and done at home, do I still need to participate with my child?
A. We still require a parent or guardian to participate. We believe that it is important to share the volunteering experience and learn together. A lot of learning happens when you’re able to talk about the project you did together.
Additional tips for making the most of your remote volunteer experience with Generation SERVE:
A. It depends! Your activity may require you to pick up supplies at Generation SERVE’s office or another location prior to your activity. This can only be done during our designated pick up times since our staff is working remotely and only at the office by appointment. Your activity may require you to provide some or all of your own supplies. This is very different from how Generation SERVE usually operates, but because many of our supplies are shared and reusable, we cannot loan them out at this time. Usually the items we ask you to provide are common, like craft supplies.
2. Where and when do I pick up my supplies?
A. The supply pick up times and location are listed in the activity description on the calendar and you will also receive an email from our team the Monday prior to your activity with more specific instructions.
3. Why do we have a Zoom meeting for the volunteer project?
A. Learning about the community's needs and why you are doing the project is an important part of volunteering! During this meeting, a Generation SERVE lead will hold a short discussion to talk about the purpose of the project and answer questions you might have. This should only take about 15-20 minutes and will be right at the beginning of the activity start time listed on the calendar.
4. I didn’t get my Zoom link! Help!
A. Your Zoom link was sent via email on the Monday before your project. If you cannot find the email, first check your spam folder. If it’s not there, contact us at contact@generationserve.org.
5. I missed the Zoom meeting! Do you record them?
A. You can return any unused materials to Generation SERVE’s office on Thursdays between 12-2 pm.
6. I picked up supplies but I can’t finish the project. What do I do?
A. You can bring back any unused materials to Generation SERVE’s office.
7. It seems like you have far fewer activities than you used to have. Are you adding more?
A. Right now, many of our partners have either reduced the number of volunteers they need, are not using in-person volunteers, or are restricting volunteers to ages 18 and up only. Additionally, most of our projects are only possible to do on-site or in person. We are working with our partners to find fun and meaningful ways to continue serving from home and will add as many projects as we can! We appreciate your patience and your willingness to get creative with us during this time.
8. Since this is online and done at home, do I still need to participate with my child?
A. We still require a parent or guardian to participate. We believe that it is important to share the volunteering experience and learn together. A lot of learning happens when you’re able to talk about the project you did together.
Additional tips for making the most of your remote volunteer experience with Generation SERVE:
- Read the activity description on the calendar! This is where you will find information about supplies, supply pick up, and what you are doing.
- Check your email on Monday or Tuesday for an email from carol@generationserve.org. This will have your zoom link and supply information.
- Log into your zoom event on time. Usually these take about 15 minutes, so if you’re late you might miss it entirely.
- Work on your project together at home. You can use our discussion guide to help you talk with your child about service and you can google more information about the organization you are serving.
- Return any projects to Generation SERVE at the designated time and we will have them delivered to our partners for you.