It’s getting to be summertime and hiring will slow down as managers go on vacation.

Here’s how you can maintain your work ethic:

Volunteer!

In the summer months, nonprofit groups often experience a mismatch of increased demand for help and decreased supply of folks to pitch in. Their staff and usual volunteers go on vacation, which makes the need for more hands especially acute.

Whether you use your professional skills, or simply lend a hand where needed, your assistance will be appreciated.

Since my layoff in December, I’ve volunteered as a Public Relations professional for The Roosevelt Island Historical Society, 100 Women in Hedge Funds, JASA, SmartVolunteer and Habitat for Humanity New York, in addition to The 405 Club.

I’m keeping my skills sharp and supporting organizations that I believe in. Brainstorming with the Public Relations Director at one organization made me feel I was back in the saddle; it was invigorating and the staff will implement some of the ideas.

I’ve written press releases, announcements of meetings, website content, correspondence and marketing literature. All are having a positive impact for the members of the groups and their prospects. Plus, the press coverage is driving attendance at events.

One new contact introduced me to someone at a company, who then hired me for a consulting project. I’m hopeful that other projects will come my way through these and related contacts.

If you are looking to volunteer, either locally or virtually, contact any group that you are interested in. These websites feature requests for specific projects and skills:

www.idealist.org/if/as/vol

www.smartvolunteer.org

www.volunteermatch.org

If you are interested in writing, graphic design or HTML for annual reports, marketing literature or websites, The Taproot Foundation www.taprootfoundation.org works with nonprofit groups to produce these over a several months-long project.

Whether you are packing lunches for the homebound, or advising on marketing or cash management issues, find a nonprofit where you can get engaged in a cause. Make a difference for your community, while keeping your skills sharp and networking with a new circle of contacts. It’s a win-win for everyone.

-By Janet L. Falk, Contributing Member and Public Relations Professional