1. Your site seems unique in structure in that it seems to be a collection of information, articles, blogs, and the like. Can you tell me what unusual benefits are available to volunteers who use your site that are not available on other volunteer websites?

There are a couple of ways in which Idealist.org is a unique resource for volunteers. First, while there are several terrific websites listing volunteer opportunities within specific countries, ours is one of the few that hosts global opportunities. So for the individual looking to get involved worldwide, Idealist.org is a natural first stop. Similarly, via our Spanish and French language sister sites, we offer volunteer opportunities in multiple languages.

Lastly, we provide discussion forums for volunteers to swap stories and advice as well as links and additional information for volunteers in both our blogs and our Volunteer Resource Center (www.idealist.org/volunteer); topics have included volunteering with family, finding the opportunity that best fits their motivations and interests, volunteering abroad, proposing independently developed volunteer projects, and showcasing volunteer experience on their professional resume.

2. The list of non-profit jobs is amazing, more than 7,000. Why don't more people consider working for non-profits?

The number of jobs on our site doesn't necessarily mean that people don't consider working for nonprofits; actually we're seeing the opposite trend. With the increased desire to merge career and passion, more and more people are considering the nonprofit sector as a their long-term career option. Nonprofit positions are growing increasingly competitive and because of this, people considering employment in the sector are learning how to make themselves stronger nonprofit candidates. This can include spending time developing skills through volunteering and interning, as well as cultivating an understanding of the sector as a whole and the individual organizations within it.

One of the other aspects that we've been focusing on is raising awareness of expectations and perceptions about nonprofit jobs. These perceptions can lead people not to consider a nonprofit career or can lure them into a false sense of understanding of what work in the nonprofit sector entails. On one side, nonprofit jobs can be seen as not profitable, disorganized and inefficient, or only for ultra-liberal do-gooders, social workers, or those who couldn't cut it in the business world. The other set of assumptions are just as harmful and range from expecting to save the world single-handedly to believing that nonprofit work is easier than for-profit.

Overall, having clear and realistic perceptions is essential both for people seeking nonprofit jobs, as well as for those who haven't considered the nonprofit sector as a viable career option.

(This response was provided by Meg Busse, High School and College Coordinator).

3. There is an article about the baby boomers and retirement. Is Idealist trying to work towards bringing more Generation X and Y individuals into volunteerism?

Yes and no. While our audience spans across several generations, we do have high visibility among Generation X and Y individuals, due both to our successful website as well as strong awareness of our organization on college campuses. That said, we don't necessarily try to tailor our volunteerism resources to any specific age bracket, instead seeking to provide a broad range of tools and information that any potential volunteer might find valuable. And as modern volunteerism continues to change - shifting from the long-term, several-hours-per-week model made popular by the WWII generation into the more episodic and project/skill-focused preferences of both Baby Boomers and Gen X and Y - we seek to provide both individuals and organizations with the resources needed to make good, meaningful matches.

4. Your website provides excellent resources for teachers - to bring non-profits and volunteering into the classroom? Have you heard from teachers who have used your materials?

This is a fantastic question that I'm not sure how to answer (unfortunately we don't have anyone on staff at the moment who works specifically with teachers and educators). That said, while I can't offer specific anecdotes, I did check our website statistics and that section of our site did receive over 3,000 pageviews in the last month alone! So while I don't know of any specific feedback we've received, these resources continue to be accessed by hundreds of educators in the field (always a good sign!)

5. What is the Idealist's mission?

Our mission is: Idealist.org connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.

Similarly, our vision is:

• All people can lead free and dignified lives.
• Every person who wants to help another has the ability to do so.
• No opportunities for action or collaboration are missed or wasted.

6. Referring back to the second question, do you believe it is possible to have a lengthy career working for a non-profit organisation or series of them?

A lengthy career at one organization is possible... if an organization is willing to grow and evolve with an employee. If you can find an organization that is willing to help you grow in your work - taking on more responsibilities, starting new projects, managing staff, and even relocation - then a long career at one nonprofit is entirely possible. Sadly, nonprofits that see the value of creating new opportunities for staff are often in the minority. Most people will not stay with one organization for a long time because they will professionally outgrow the opportunities available there or run into a 'leadership wall' where they are unable to take on more managerial roles because those roles are already filled. In this regard, nonprofits are similar to other sectors of the economy; the nonlinear career path, and not long-term employment, is now the norm.

(This response was provided by Steven Pascal-Joiner, Mid Career Transitions Coordinator)

7. How might volunteering abroad make a student a better employee later on when they are a career-oriented person with goals and experiences they had not considered at the time of volunteering?

One of the greatest benefits of volunteering abroad is the sheer breadth of new experience and perspective garnered by the volunteer. By living in a culture that is likely vastly different than their own, international volunteers develop greater cultural competence, understanding, and adaptability. These skills can influence their career trajectory, both in terms of personal and professional development - flexibility, hands-on experience (for example, someone who taught abroad may explore a career in education), or language fluency - as well as a more nuanced understanding of complex global issues. Whether their international experience leads them towards a career in international development or they choose a less globally focused path, the skills and self awareness developed during their volunteerism abroad will have broadened their lens on the world.

8. What traits do you believe a young person may gain from the volunteering experience that might be valuable to an employer later on in their lives that they might not acquire otherwise?

Volunteering provides young people with a unique opportunity to explore different career paths. By experiencing firsthand the organizational culture and day-to-day realities of careers in specific fields, young people who are still identifying their professional interests can make more informed decisions, seeking careers where they are likely to find greater personal and professional satisfaction (which, given turnover rates in the competitive marketplace of the 21st century, is an enormous draw for potential hirers). Similarly, the broad range of experiences and perspectives one encounters while volunteering can help the individual develop diverse approaches to problem-solving, strengthen interpersonal qualities such as flexibility, responsiveness, and greater cultural competence, and reinforce one's willingness to explore new ideas and strategies.

9. Your site posts links to nonprofit jobs and to internships. Where does this information come from? Do you typically have volunteers that go on to find roles in these organisations?

All of the job, volunteer, and internship postings on Idealist.org were posted independently by individual nonprofit organizations worldwide. While there is a minimal fee for job postings by U.S.-based organizations (currently US$60), all other postings are free for organizations. This creates both an extremely affordable venue for organizations of all sizes - from multinational to grassroots - to connect with paid and volunteer human resources as well as a more diverse accumulation of opportunities for individual volunteers, students, and job seekers to explore.

Unfortunately, as a site that serves more as a forum than a matchmaker, we don't have statistics on how many individual volunteers and organizations have connected specifically through our site. However, anecdotally, we have heard glowing reviews from both volunteers and organizations alike!

10. You have podcasts, bloggings, teachers tools....there seems to be little avenues left unventured. What are your plans for future items to be covered on your site, and is there a specific target audience you are trying to reach?

I think one of the great things about Idealist.org is we really do seek to serve as many constituencies as possible - from volunteers to job seekers, recent graduates to seasoned professionals, teachers to activists. So I see us continuing to serve any and every potential audience we can. That said I know that there are several projects in the works to expand our offerings, including the development of online resource centers for potential graduate students, international volunteers, and people exploring a year of service. Similarly, we will continue to develop on-the-ground events, in the vein of our career and graduate degree fairs, to facilitate people having face-to-face interactions to complement their virtual connections made on the site. Lastly, we are continually expanding our array of networking tools for individuals who want to get more active in their communities and move from ideas to action.