Volunteer Opportunities Checklist

Find an volunteer opportunity in your community today - click here.

Thirty typical Red Cross volunteer opportunities
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and people, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

The following is a list of thirty typical Red Cross volunteer opportunities for your consideration:

• Board Member: Volunteers serve on local Red Cross unit boards of directors which help to establish policy and direction.

• Office of Volunteers: Volunteers assist with writing volunteer job descriptions, setting up volunteer orientation courses, conduct volunteer screening interviews, help with volunteer placement, record keeping, and recognition.

• Disaster Services: Volunteers need to respond to state and national disasters.

• Disaster Action Team: Volunteers need to respond to single-family fires with a disaster action team supervisor.

• Disaster Clerical: Volunteers needed to assemble class packets, stamp brochures, and distribute disaster safety information in the neighborhood as necessary.

• Homeless shelter: Volunteers needed one evening per month to assist and interact with a diverse group of people.

• Youth Group Liaison: Volunteers serves as liaison with local youth groups that volunteer with the Red Cross.

• Youth Team Leader: Adults are needed to help coordinate and supervise activities and service projects. Adult leaders act as positive role models for youth and encourage leadership and personal development.

• Youth Volunteers/Programs: Students are encouraged to volunteer answering phones, doing office work, help with mailings, preparing materials for classes and computer data entry.

• HIV/AIDS Mentoring: Young people serve as role models and speak to groups of students using Red Cross HIV/AIDS awareness materials.

• Health and Safety Instructor: Volunteers needed to teach community as well as preschool and elementary school classes in CPR, First Aid, water safety, and other youth safety presentations.

• BabySitting Course Instructor: Volunteers become certified to teach American Red Cross BabySitting courses to teenagers.

• Lifeguard Instructor: Volunteers needed to teach American Red Cross lifesaving course.

• Water Safety Instructor: Volunteers need to teach American Red Cross swimming and water safety courses.

• First Aid Team: Volunteers are needed to help staff special events throughout the year. Advanced medical training is helpful but not required. Advanced Red Cross First Aid and CPR skills are necessary. Training is available.

• Armed Forces Caseworker: Volunteers work with local members of the military and their families ensuring the delivery of emergency communications.

• Blood Donor Recruiter: Volunteers work with individuals, groups, and companies to schedule blood drives.

• Blood Mobile Worker: Volunteers greet and register blood donors.

• Motor Service Volunteer: Pick up and deliver units from a blood drive to the laboratory to be thoroughly tested and then sent to the hospital.

• International Humanitarian Law Instructor: Volunteers set up and conduct classes on International Humanitarian Law.

• International Tracing/Services: Volunteers assist in international tracing for persons living overseas, in war-torn countries, who are looking for family members thought to living in our community.

• Grant Researching/Writing: Volunteers needed to assist and work with the Fund Development Director in writing grants, etc.

• Speakers: Volunteer speakers need to do presentations within the community.

• Publicity aide: Volunteers need for computer data entry.

• Pinch-Hitter Volunteer: Volunteers available to help with unanticipated or irregular tasks as they arrive.

• Clerical: Volunteers need to assist with bulk mailing, filing, and inventory etc.

• Maintenance: Volunteers needed to help with routine maintenance duties. Stocking supplies and inventory at the shelter.

• Friendly Visitor Program: Volunteers provide the gift of companionship to homebound senior citizens.

• Elderly Escort Program: Volunteers accompany local residents to their doctor's appointments.

• Special Projects: Volunteers needed to assist with various duties for fundraising and special events.

Please note: these are typical local Red Cross volunteer opportunities. Not every Red Cross local unit will offer all of these opportunities.