Frequently Asked Questions

► I'd love to volunteer! How do I get started?
► How much time do I have to commit each month?
► I am a court-ordered volunteer. How do I find appropriate volunteer opportunities and verify my hours?
► How do I remove myself from a project so that others can take my place?
► What happens if I don't attend a project that I signed up for?
► I have been waitlisted for a project. Now what?
► Does HandsOn San Diego have an app?
► What are Verified Hours? How are service hours verified?
► How do I become a Volunteer Leader?
► What's unique about HandsOn San Diego's volunteer program?
► How is HandsOn San Diego sustainable?
► Who are the organizations HandsOn San Diego supports?
► I work for a nonprofit and am interested in partnering with HandsOn San Diego, how do I get started?

For New Volunteers

► I'd love to volunteer! How do I get started?

We'd love to have you! How you get started depends on your age.

If you're over 18, create a HandsOn San Diego account, fill in your information, and you're ready to sign up and go! We ask a one-time, tax-deductible $25 membership donation for full access to our Volunteer Opportunity Calendar, which you give during your registration. I

If you are 13 to 17 years old, create an account and donate for the $25 LIFETIME membership to gain full access to all of the San Diego volunteer opportunities  on our Project Calendar. Every project has a volunteer minimum age listed so make sure you're old enough to attend before you sign up. If you are not able to sign up due to the minimum age requirement with or without a parent, please have your parent create a family team to sign you up together.

Are you a family looking to volunteer? Click here to see how you can register your family together.

Get started and become a member here.

► How much time do I have to commit each month?

It's entirely up to you!

Our goal is to make volunteering in San Diego easy for everyone. We offer volunteer opportunities with varying commitment levels - you can volunteer as much or as little as you like based on your interest and availability.

► I am a court-ordered volunteer. How do I find appropriate volunteer opportunities and verify my hours?

Please visit our Court-Ordered Volunteers resource page here for more information. 

We have a $65 mandatory fee for court-ordered volunteers due to the additional staff time it requires. We cannot waive the donation. This is an added service we provide and we want to ensure its sustainability.

For Current Volunteers

► How do I remove myself from a project so that others can take my place?

If you need to remove yourself from a project, please log in, go to the "My Profile" tab, find the project under the "Upcoming Opportunities" section, and click "Remove Me."

► What happens if I don't attend a project that I signed up for?

Due to a high number of volunteers who sign-up for a project but do not attend, starting July 1, 2018 we are implementing a "No-Show Policy." After 3 no-shows without reasonable excuses, your account will become inactive and you will no longer be able to volunteer using our site and calendar feature.

► I have been waitlisted for a project. Now what?

When (and if) a space opens up, you will be notified via email. Open spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis so if you are still available and interested for the volunteer opportunity, make sure you login, return to the project sign-up page and claim one of the open spaces.

► Does HandsOn San Diego have an app?

We do have an app! You can use the free HandsOn Connect app for signing up and removing yourself from volunteer opportunities, viewing project locations, and checking in at our nonprofit partners who use QR codes for check-in. The HandsOn Connect App can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play.

► What are Verified Hours? How are service hours verified?

Your Verified Hours reflect the total hours of service that have been verified by our Volunteer Leaders at projects you attend on our calendar. Be sure to sign-in on the HandsOn check-in sheet so your hours will be verified. Our goal is to have attendance verifications done within 48 hours, however it is done manually by volunteers so we do ask for your patience and understanding. 

Hours served with outside organizations that are self-reported for your own records will be left as unverified. 

► How do I become a Volunteer Leader?

Volunteer Leaders are the backbone of HandsOn San Diego. When you serve as a Volunteer Leader, you’ll partner with a great local community organization and guide other volunteers through recurring, high-impact volunteer projects. We ask that Volunteer Leaders attend at least 2 HandsOn projects before attending the Volunteer Leader training. Learn more on the Volunteer Leader page and get signed up for the next Volunteer Leader training!

About HandsOn San Diego

► What's unique about HandsOn San Diego's volunteer program?

• We've done the legwork for you by finding and scheduling high-impact volunteer projects at nonprofits, parks and schools that need your help.
• You can choose from many projects each month! (We do ask that you only sign up for those projects you intend on attending. Our projects are in high-demand!)
• HandsOn San Diego projects occur primarily on weekday evenings and weekends to fit in around your busy schedule.
• You won't be on your own. Our projects are group-based, so you'll be working alongside other volunteers from HandsOn San Diego.
• Every HandsOn San Diego project will be led by a trained Volunteer Leader, who will serve as your contact in case you have questions before, during and after your project.
• You do not need to attend any in-person training or orientation before you get started.

► How is HandsOn San Diego sustainable?

HandsOn San Diego is currently a volunteer-powered organization with funding from private donors, grants and sponsorships.

We ask all our HandsOn San Diego volunteers for a one-time membership donation to gain full access to the many projects on our calendar that we have carefully curated. Individuals may request a donation waiver by selecting the option on the payment page after registering. Group teams such as corporate, friends, troups, clubs, etc. cannot be waived as this is an added feature that we must support and is not necessary to volunteer. 

► Who are the organizations HandsOn San Diego supports?

HandsOn San Diego partners with local nonprofits, schools and parks across San Diego County to set up group-based service projects for volunteers that may meet an ongoing need of an organization or its clients, or they may be one-time transformations of facilities or green spaces.

Find out more about our partner organizations, their missions, and ways to volunteer with them here!

► I work for a nonprofit and am interested in partnering with HandsOn San Diego, how do I get started?

Learn more about partnerships with HandsOn San Diego here.