Giving Back, Effeciently. Any ideas?

Yep, a great suggestion. Almost a perfect score from Charity Navigator.

@A Life Aloft, the numbers don't lie. They're required to report them to the government yearly. For 2013, 57% of revenue went to program expenses, and 37% went to fundraising.

I'm a big fan of Charity Navigator. I always encourage everyone to use it before making contributions.
I have their complete financials (the numbers that they report) in front of me. I don't give a crap what charity navigator has to say either. I posted the links to their financials. I also stated that they employ many Vets and that this is also part of their overhead. You are completely clueless as to what the WWP actually does and how it works. I also suggested looking at other local Vet programs in the OP's area and even the VA to volunteer at/with and what sorts of activities one could perform/volunteer to do. But you ignore all of that to harp on one thing. The thread is not about donating money to a charity- any charity- to begin with, in case you missed that. It's about a productive way to volunteer one's time. Your favorite activity on this forum, no matter what the subject is, is badgering, going around in senseless, inane circles and arguing for pages upon pages with people and sidetracking threads. I am not going to give you the opportunity to waste a dozen pages on this thread doing that with me, however. Bait someone else.
 
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So now that I'm in a somewhat stable job I would like to give back. Anyone got some good ideas about how to do that efficiently? I don't want to just feel good and waste time. I started volunteering at the local animal shelter but then thought that was stupid since there are plenty of teenagers who an walk dogs. I should be using my experience in a more meaningful way...something that leverages my experience.

I'm a 121 pilot. I don't have a ton of free time with all my other commitments but I should be able to give about 1 day a week.

I was thinking about giving presentations about being a pilot to local schools. K-12 and maybe even aviation colleges although I doubt I would be invited back (to the colleges) after I gave them the straight poop on it.

I was an Eagle Scout, but I do not agree with their religious and homophobic policies and thus don't want to associate with them.

I also thought about Big Brothers Big Sisters, although the liability there scares me.

Anyway. Thoughts? I value my time, so Im not just looking for a resume builder, I actually want to do some good and leverage my effort to maximize its effect. No dog walking.

....thanks

I've always been interested in junior achievement or something along those lines. Helping troubled or at risk kids get a focus and a pathway to success. Personally I could have greatly used one when I was in my teenage years.
 
Cool thanks for the replies people. All taken into consideration.

Boris...haha now that I see it its giving me a spasm too!
 
I really enjoy my work with the cats at the humane society. I'm one of the few volunteers willing to back to the back room and work with the sick cats that aren't adoptable at the moment. Nothing like seeing a sick cat get well, get moved up to the adoptable area, and see someone take them home.

You need to find your niche. It has to be something you die to do. It could anything from fixing up old computers to being a museum docent. I'll never forget the guy that gave the talk on the Midway about carrier ops back in the day. That was very much his thing.
 
Yep, a great suggestion. Almost a perfect score from Charity Navigator.

@A Life Aloft, the numbers don't lie. They're required to report them to the government yearly. For 2013, 57% of revenue went to program expenses, and 37% went to fundraising.

I'm a big fan of Charity Navigator. I always encourage everyone to use it before making contributions.
I have never seen that website before, but I am glad to say the two groups I do work with score above a 98.50 on the site.
 
So now that I'm in a somewhat stable job I would like to give back. Anyone got some good ideas about how to do that efficiently? I don't want to just feel good and waste time. I started volunteering at the local animal shelter but then thought that was stupid since there are plenty of teenagers who an walk dogs. I should be using my experience in a more meaningful way...something that leverages my experience.

I'm a 121 pilot. I don't have a ton of free time with all my other commitments but I should be able to give about 1 day a week.

I was thinking about giving presentations about being a pilot to local schools. K-12 and maybe even aviation colleges although I doubt I would be invited back (to the colleges) after I gave them the straight poop on it.

I was an Eagle Scout, but I do not agree with their religious and homophobic policies and thus don't want to associate with them.

I also thought about Big Brothers Big Sisters, although the liability there scares me.

Anyway. Thoughts? I value my time, so Im not just looking for a resume builder, I actually want to do some good and leverage my effort to maximize its effect. No dog walking.

....thanks

Start an aviation club for teenagers. Introduce them to the world of aviation. Probably lots of kids out there who would love to learn more.
 
Yep, a great suggestion. Almost a perfect score from Charity Navigator.
@A Life Aloft, the numbers don't lie. They're required to report them to the government yearly. For 2013, 57% of revenue went to program expenses, and 37% went to fundraising.
I'm a big fan of Charity Navigator. I always encourage everyone to use it before making contributions.

I have their complete financials (the numbers that they report) in front of me. I don't give a crap what charity navigator has to say either. I posted the links to their financials. I also stated that they employ many Vets and that this is also part of their overhead. You are completely clueless as to what the WWP actually does and how it works. I also suggested looking at other local Vet programs in the OP's area and even the VA to volunteer at/with and what sorts of activities one could perform/volunteer to do. But you ignore all of that to harp on one thing. The thread is not about donating money to a charity- any charity- to begin with, in case you missed that. It's about a productive way to volunteer one's time. Your favorite activity on this forum, no matter what the subject is, is badgering, going around in senseless, inane circles and arguing for pages upon pages with people and sidetracking threads. I am not going to give you the opportunity to waste a dozen pages on this thread doing that with me, however. Bait someone else.
Who cares?

Seriously, if I don’t like the manner in which an organization spends their money, I won’t give money to that particular organization. However, if I’m donating my time, which is more difficult and expensive than money, I’ll give to an organization that makes me happy.

If I’m helping wounded cats at a shelter, I could care less if the Veterinarian drives a BMW. Likewise if I’m raking leaves in a city park, I don’t care that the city government wastes money quicker than it comes in!
I’m giving my time because it helps others but it also makes me feel good about ME. To the OP, find something you enjoy, something that makes YOU happy, and go for it.
 
I've had fun with Habitat for Humanity. Everyone wants to do the big new house builds. There's not that many vols for the roof repair or water heater install jobs. I grew up in a relatively well to-do area of northern California, and I was shocked at the number of elderly folks who had barely-livable houses.

They do that? I did not know! I've always wanted to be a handyman of sorts.
 
Have you heard of Pilots N Paws? If you own a plane or like to fly recreationally, you could certainly do some good there. Since you mentioned working at an animal shelter, saving animals scheduled to be euthanized seems like it could be a good fit for you. This is an expensive way to volunteer your time, but if you happen to fly recreationally anyway, it could be a good use of time. And you choose what, when and where you want to fly, so you can make it fit your schedule. I invite anyone to read the forum on their website and find an animal to save.
 
I'll +1 volunteering for some cause or organization that you like. Here is my latest mountain bike trail. Right in the heart of Marin County the birthplace if mountain biking:
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I'm not sure where you live, but see if the Hands on Network has any affiliates in your area. They provide a big calender of all types of volunteer events all over the cities where they are affiliated and you can choose events based on your schedule.
 
Thanks for the advice people. I got hooked up with a bike non profit that fixes up old bikes and gives them away to people in need. Its very flexible when you can go, you can see the effort of your work (bike fixed) and ... i like bikes. So, yeah.
 
I've always wondered about habaitat for humanity. You see all of the 'volunteers......helping' , and it just doesn't look like help. An army of volunteers trying to swing a hammer with no experience. No power tools allowed either. I used to frame houses and you could frame, raise, rack and plumb a whole floor in a few hours with three guys and a nail gun. Habitat would take twice as long using 20 volunteers and it still would require three carpenters to herd all of the cats(volunteers). Not saying the sentiment isn't there, but not sure how much unskilled help really helps.
 
I've always wondered about habaitat for humanity. You see all of the 'volunteers......helping' , and it just doesn't look like help. An army of volunteers trying to swing a hammer with no experience. No power tools allowed either. I used to frame houses and you could frame, raise, rack and plumb a whole floor in a few hours with three guys and a nail gun. Habitat would take twice as long using 20 volunteers and it still would require three carpenters to herd all of the cats(volunteers). Not saying the sentiment isn't there, but not sure how much unskilled help really helps.
I agree 100% with you. If it is about making yourself look and/or feel better Habitat is great. But there are a lot more programs out there that a unskilled or low skilled person can make a big difference with.
 
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