A task force of boomer-generation volunteers concluded that it is often not easy to find a good fit for volunteering. Here are some of the tips they shared from talking with dozens of people around retirement age.

1. Approach volunteering with a positive, resilient attitude. View it as a grand opportunity; somewhat the same way as hunting for a paid job. Be exploratory. Be humble; don't go into an organization telling them how you can fix it. Be tenacious; if you don't hear back, follow up. Don't be discouraged or take it personally if an organization can't use your skills; move on.

2. Do some self-assessment.

Think about what you want. What kind of mission do you have passion for? What kind of contribution do you want to make? Do you want to learn something? Do you want a social experience? How much responsibility and leadership do you want? Do you want to be on a board? Head a committee? Be in charge of a team? Be a "worker bee"? What kind of a schedule do you want? How much flexibility do you want/need? How much time do you want to commit?

3. When looking for opportunities to volunteer, consider organizations you already know, value and enjoy, and support financially.Check out professional organizations you belong to. Network to explore what other volunteers are doing. Ask friends about their volunteer experiences. If it seems interesting, go with them to try it out. Volunteer for a one-time event and ask other volunteers at the event about their experiences. Do some background research on an organization before connecting with it. Check out online volunteer listings at www.handsontwincities.org and www.volunteermatch.org.

4. When meeting with a representative of the organization, bring a summary of the skills you want to share, or a résumé if you would like to continue using your work skills, or a bio that translates your experience to skills that would be relevant to the position you would like. Tell the person how you would like to be involved. Do you want to work with the public or work behind the scenes? Which of your skills and experience do you hope to use in a volunteer position? Are you hoping to provide support services to someone working on a project, or would you rather have responsibility for managing the project? Talk about how much time you want to commit and what schedule will meet your needs. Negotiate for a position that fits both your needs and the organization's needs. Ask: How would my volunteer work support the organization's mission? Will I have an opportunity to use/expand my skills and experience? What can I learn in this role? If I want to learn something, how much training is involved? What costs can I expect? Is there reimbursement? Volunteer for a short time before making a long-term commitment.

5. Once you have started volunteering: Get to know the organization and understand the culture. If something is not going well for you, discuss it with your volunteer supervisor. Ask for feedback and share ideas that you have.

Source: Minnesota Association for Volunteer Adminstration