Although we advocatesocial change, you don’t have to create your own organization or innovate your own project to make a powerful difference and impact society. Volunteers have been pivotal in nearly every major social undertaking to supply the manpower, ingenuity, compassion, and tenacity needed to create lasting change.

There are myriad opportunities for you to get involved and volunteer in either your local or your global community. Our top picks for finding ways to plug in are Idealist.org and Volunteer Abroad.

Here are a few tips to start volunteering:

Find a cause that you are passionate about

Once you know what issues most interest you, you can find an organization and opportunity that is working to solve this problem.

Decide how much time and effort you are willing to expend

You may be really excited about a few opportunities but not sure whether you will be able to fully execute the commitment required. Make sure you set aside a certain amount of time each week when you will be able to devote yourself wholeheartedly to your service, and make your decisions accordingly.

Try Volunteering with a Friend

Oftentimes, we enjoy ourselves and learn more from our volunteering if we experience it with a friend or loved one.

Keep an Open Mind

You will reap the most from your experiences if you are receptive to new perspectives, cultures, convictions, and lifestyles. Accentuate the positive!