Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Volunteering with Community Action House
Why have you adjusted the structure of Shifts & Opportunities?
To streamline our current setup, we'll be combining several of our current opportunities and slighlty updating the start time of some of our shifts! Please know this change has been carefully considered - below are some of the key reasons we're making this update!
- Flexibility: Our revised shift/opportunity set up creates a more flexible structure! It allows our team to connect volunteers with the most impactful tasks each day. This helps us make sure that we’re using your time for the most critical tasks - your time is valuable!
Better Welcome & Volunteer Coverage: The updated shift times better match when our programs truly need support—so your time is as well-utilized and effective as possible! Shifts are based on our busy/slow times, to make sure you’re getting the most out of your time as a volunteer, and our guests have a great experience.
I want to volunteer! How do I sign up to do that?
Excellent! The first step in volunteering is to create an account on our site. Please see our welcome page for step-by-step instructions and how to get help registering. Once registered, you can then sign up online for our volunteer opportunities here.
How do I sign up for an opportunity?
Search for opportunities that interest you through the opportunities page, or based on the program you're interested in. You can also view opportunities by date, using the Calendar.
Individual volunteers: Click the "RESPOND" button and select your shift(s), or scroll down to the shift listing and click the "RESPOND INDIVIDUALLY" next to the shift(s) for which you want to sign up. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.
I want to volunteer with family, friends or coworkers. How do I get us all signed up together?
We love volunteer groups - large and small!
When looking to volunteer with a small group (2-5 people), find an opportunity with enough slots for your entire group! Click the ‘Respond as a Team’ button, select ‘Create a new Team’, and follow the instructions on the screen to respond to an opportunity with your family, friends or coworkers. If there are not enough slots available, reach out to volunteer@communityactionhouse.org and we will find the right opportunity for your group!
For our larger groups (5+ people)we would love to work with you to host your group for a volunteer event! If your group is larger than 5 people or you cannot find a shift with enough open slots, visit this page to put in a request, and we'll get back with you within two business days!
Here's a great help article on how to create and manage teams!
What are 'Qualifications'?
Some of our volunteer opportunities require additional qualifications, such as attending orientation or completing a background check. You will be notified when a qualification is required to respond to an opportunity. You can go to your Qualifications, to submit any of your qualifications.
***If you are responding as a team to an opportunity with additional qualifications, each member of the team will need an account to submit their own individual qualifications.
How do I sign my volunteer waiver?
All volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Waiver prior to volunteering at Community Action House. For directions on how to sign your volunteer waiver, follow this link. If you are still having issues signing your waiver, please contact volunteer@communityactionhouse.org for assistance, or to ensure we have a paper copy on site for you to sign.
Do you have a Volunteer Handbook?
Yes! Our Volunteer Handbook is intended to answer regular volunteer questions, and outline our expectations of volunteers. Click here to read our handbook.
Do you feel like something is missing from the handbook? Let us know! Email us at volunteer@communityactionhouse.org.
Can I just show up? Why not?
In order to create a safe and enjoyable volunteer experience, every volunteer needs to register in advance and sign up for an opportunity that has available slots in a shift. This helps our staff prepare for volunteers and ensures we don’t have too many people on-site at one time.
If you'd like to volunteer with a friend or a family member, please either register individually and take separate slots in the shifts or sign up as a team. Please don't write in the notes section that you're bringing along a buddy or relative as we don't always see that info immediately - especially for last-minute registrations.
How do I cancel my shift?
Log in to your Volunteer account and visit your opportunity responses to either edit your response or unregister from your shift.
To cancel a Team/Group response: visit the My Teams page to edit your team's response or unregister your team from that opportunity.
If you're not able to use the site to cancel or reschedule, please call us at 616-392-2368 ext. 154 or email volunteer@communityactionhouse.org
How do I track my hours?
You can log your own hours by using the volunteer self check-in feature or by clicking the 'Add Hours' button this page.
For more information, here's a helpful article on volunteer self check-in, and here's some help on how to use 'Add Hours'.
How do I check in / check out of shifts?
Visit the Volunteer Kiosk, available on-site at many of our locations, at the start and end of your shift. Or check in / check out online (here).
Many of our volunteers prefer to use the 'Causer' Volunteer App. You can download this on Apple or Google Play to check in & out of your shifts!
How do I use the Volunteer App?
The Volunteer App is available on Apple or Google Play. With the App, you can:
- See your schedule
- Get alerts, including location-based notifications when you arrive at your volunteer site
- Check in & out of your volunteer shifts
Can you change my password?
If you forget your password, no worries! You can click the Forgot Password link on the login page. From there, you will be asked to enter your email address, and the system will send you instructions on resetting your password.
Is there training available for volunteers about using this website?
You'll find a ton of articles and videos just for volunteers in the Help Center!
Can you sign my form showing that I completed volunteer hours?
Yes! Please bring your form with you to your volunteer shift and present it to a staff member after your shift is complete. Any Community Action House Staff member can sign it to verify you completed the hours.
I'm not getting email notifications about my shift. How do I fix this?
This most likely means that our notification emails are getting sent to Spam. To undo this: Go to your Spam folder > find & open an email from us > and select Not Spam. This should allow the messages to go straight to your Inbox instead!
Do you accept court-ordered community service volunteers?
Yes! Court-ordered community service volunteers should visit our Community Service Volunteer Page and follow the steps on the page. An Action House staff member will be in contact within 3-5 business days to determine if we are a good fit and you will then be able to schedule your hours. We look forward to serving with you!
Can I Volunteer if I am Under 18?
Anyone ages 16 and 17 may volunteer independently, with prior approval from the Volunteer Coordinator. Minors between the ages of 10 and 15 must be accompanied by an adult during all volunteer opportunities, with prior approval from the Volunteer Coordinator.
Anyone under the age 18 needs to have their volunteer waiver signed by a parent or guardian before volunteering. The registered volunteer can find their waiver under Qualifications, and you can follow these instructions to access and have a parent or guardian sign your waiver.
If you’re interested in volunteering as a family or a group with younger children, please reach out to volunteer@communityactionhouse.org!
I see a notification to complete a background check for my volunteer opportunity, how can I do that?
To complete your background check, log in to your account, select this form and enter the necessary information for the completion of your background check. After submitting the form, it may take 1-3 business days to receive confirmation of your completed background check.
What Community Action House merch is available?
Have you seen Action House branded t-shirts around? After volunteering for 30 hours, volunteers may receive a shirt as a thank you for the time they've invested with us. Volunteers may also receive an annual appreciation gift.
At this time, additional merch is not available. Stay tuned!
How can I donate funds or give in other ways to help further Community Action House's mission of providing area families and individuals with food, clothing, shelter and the opportunity to build necessary skills to achieve a stable and prosperous life?
That would be awesome! You can donate online here or call 616-392-2368 to speak with someone on our Development Team.
Contact us:
volunteer@communityactionhouse.org
616-392-2368 ext.154
