Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about HandsOn
How do I become a volunteer with HandsOn Greater Richmond?
Becoming a volunteer is easy! Simply register yourself by clicking Register in the bar above. It does not cost anything and your information will be kept private and secure.
Does it cost anything to volunteer?
Just your time and skills! Volunteering is free.
How much time do I have to commit?
It's entirely up to you! You can volunteer as much or as little as you like based on your time and interest. Each Opportunity will indicate the time commitment required.
What is a Volunteer Leader (VL)?
A volunteer leader is someone ready to take their service to the next level. Volunteer Leaders are the liaison between our agency partners, volunteers, and HandsOn! They help manage volunteer recruitment, guide the project onsite, build their leadership skills, and participate in professional development and social opportunities. They make our programming and the our agency partners' missions possible. Click here to learn more.
What kind of volunteer projects does HandsOn Greater Richmond offer?
Each year, HandsOn organizes and manages hundreds of team-based projects for a variety of community service organizations. We partner with non-profits addressing community issues that impact health, youth and education, hunger and homelessness, seniors and disabled, animal welfare, the environment and more. We offer one-time and ongoing opportunities. We also feature Volunteer Classifieds(Referrals) posted directly to our site from our agency partners.
What if I don't find what I'm looking for on the calendar of projects?
We also offer a searchable database of projects that occur on an ongoing basis. Use the Additional Filters to narrow your focus by what you'd like to do, what issue you'd like to address, or who the project is appropriate for.
What's the difference between a express interest project and a sign up project?
Most of the time...Projects posted by our agency partners directly to our site are referrals and will say "express interest" on them. This sends an email to the contact at that agency, who will follow up with you to schedule you to serve. HandsOn is not involved after that.
Most of the time...Projects and special events posted by and managed by HandsOn are led by our Volunteer Leaders or Staff and will say "sign up" on them. Volunteers are awarded a spot in the project and confirmation details are sent to them after sign up.
What if I have an idea for a new project or want to become an agency partner or referral?
We are always looking for new projects and partners. If you have an idea for a project, contact us by email or phone (804-330-7027). If you would like to learn more about becoming an agency partner or referral agency, visit our Partner page.
I don't have transportation. Can you get me to volunteer projects?
While we unfortunately do not have the capacity to transport volunteers to our projects, some sites are accessible via public transportation and there are several agencies within the city of Richmond that provide transportation services for a variety of needs, ages, and locations. Please click here for a list. We are not affiliated with these services nor do we maintain this list.
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Questions about the Website
After I become a member, how do I sign up for a volunteer project?
Click on the Find an Opportunity tab to find projects that interest you, either by searching or by viewing the Opportunity Calendar. The project will indicate how to participate.
How do I change my password or update my email address?
After you log in to our website, click the "My Account" sub-tab and then click "Personal Information." Make your changes and click "Update" at the top of the screen.
What if I've forgotten my password?
Click on "Log In" at the top right of the page, enter your username (your email address) and click "Forgot password". An email will be sent to you with a temporary password.
What computer standards does your site require?
You should use Firefox, Chrome, or Safari as your Internet Browser. Internet Explorer does not work as well with the website and can sometimes cause unusual errors. You can download free, safe versions of Firefox here or Chrome here or Safari here.
Why do you ask for my birth date when I register?
Each project has a minimum age for attendance. Also, we need to protect our younger volunteers who are under age 13. Volunteers under the age of 13 are unable to sign up through our website due to the Federal Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Parents or other responsible adults will need to create a team to volunteer with and sign up their children under 13. See the video on how to create a team.
Can I volunteer if I am under 18 years old?
Check the age listing for each project as the minimum age varies depending on the agency and activity. For projects that HandsOn is managing (Volunteer Leader, Sign Up projects or Special Events), youth volunteers under the age of 18 must have a youth waiver form signed by their parent or guardian. You will need to bring the signed form with you on the day of the project.
When the minimum age (with adult) is listed on the project, youth must be signed up with a parent, guardian or responsible adult via the team functionality. See the video on how to create and manage a team.
Volunteers under the age of 13 are unable to sign up through our website due to the Federal Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). To register a child under the age of 13, parents/guardians simply need to create a team to volunteer with and sign up their children. See the video on how to create a team and visit our Youth Volunteering page for more.
What does the minimum age and minimum age with an adult mean?
If on a project the minimum age is 15, then any volunteer whose account with our site shows they are 15 years or older may sign up. If the minimum age with adult is 8, then any youth volunteers who are age 8-14 must be signed up as a part of a team, so that their parent/guardian/adult signs up for the project with them. Watch the video on how to create and manage teams and visit our Youth Volunteering page for more.
What if I am unable to sign up for a project through the website?
Contact us by email or by phone at (804) 330-7027 so we can troubleshoot. We would be glad to assist you with the registration process.
What if I can't attend? How do I remove myself from a project I signed up for ?
It is important to remove yourself if you cannot attend so that we have accurate numbers for the scope of the work. Log in to our website, click on the "My Account" sub-tab, and scroll down to "Upcoming Opportunities". Simply click "Remove Me" next to the project from which you wish to remove yourself. Please do this as early as possible so that your volunteer slot becomes available for other volunteers to fill.
What is a no show?
If you sign up for a project and do not attend but do not remove yourself or notify the Opportunity Coordinator, that is considered a No Show. We will remove you from our system after 3 No Shows in accordance with policy. Our partners are counting on us to bring them accurate numbers.
What if a project I want to sign-up for is full? Can I get on a wait list?
If a project occurrence is full, you will see that the slots remaining will show as "0". If you click "sign up" or "express interest" you will be asked if you'd like to be added to the wait list. If you say yes, and a space opens, then you will be notified via email and then will then be able to return to the project and attempt to register yourself if the project is still allowing registration.
What if I want to volunteer with a group?
You can create a volunteer team with all the people you want to volunteer together. Visit our Group Volunteering page for more information.