1. Make a commitment: VLs are highly encouraged to commit to one or more projects for the foreseeable future. This can range from leading at the Hale House every Tuesday Card Night, to leading at the American Red Cross Food Pantry on the first Tuesday of every month. As a Volunteer Leader, you can make as many or few commitments as fit your schedule.
2. Serve as an Alternate VL: Alternate VLs sign up to be on-call for a project, series of projects, or impact area(s) if the committed VL can no longer cover a shift. This is a great opportunity to lead projects occasionally, or dabble before you commit! When a committed volunteer leader slot opens up, alternates are the first to know.
3. Pick up projects as able: Not everyone has consistent schedules which can make it hard to make a commitment, and that's okay - you can still be a VL! You can elect to remain on the Volunteer Leader Master List and pick up one-time projects from our calendar as you are able. This option requires that you lead at least 5 projects throughout the course of 12 months in order to maintain your VL status.

Why become a VL?

Becoming a leader with Boston Cares is a great personal and professional development opportunity! Leaders support projects and volunteers by facilitating communication between Boston Cares, the agency partner, and volunteers, leading volunteers onsite at the project, and problem-solving when issues come up to ensure that the project goes smoothly. Some skills you can expect to grow as a VL include:

• Communication
• Public speaking
• Leadership
• Experience working with people of different backgrounds and cultures
• Problem solving