New Volunteer Assessment

Here is a list of questions to help you decide if American Red Cross Blood Services is an appropriate place for you. This self-assessment is for your planning and decision-making alone. Be completely honest. Discuss your decision with the important people in your life. Remember that volunteering is a commitment. It is important to find the right place to make that commitment.

1. Often people with good intentions are just too busy to volunteer and are unable to follow through with their commitment. Unfortunately, this results in reduced service to blood donors, blood donation appointments that don't get made, more costly deliveries to hospitals, and blood drives that don't run as smoothly.
   Do you have room in your life for another commitment?
2. American Red Cross Blood Services is seeking volunteers who are responsible and reliable.
   Do you have reliable transportation to get you to assignments on time?
3. Most blood drives and blood centers operate during the day during the week.
   If you think you might like to work at a blood drive or a blood center, do you have hours available during the day or during the week?
4. If you go to school or work full-time, there may be a couple of other options for you at Blood Services.
   If you only have evening and weekend hours and live in or near Oakland or San Jose, would you be interested in learning more about our Oakland Phone Team (evenings and Saturdays) or becoming a driver in Oakland (late afternoons or weekends) or in San Jose (late afternoons)?
5. Volunteering for the American Red Cross involves working with people of different ages, sexes, socioeconomic, cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and educational backgrounds.
   Are you comfortable with people who are different from yourself?
6. Typically, the individuals who have been and continue to be successful Blood Services volunteers possess certain skills/characteristics. Are you proficient in one or more of these areas?
   • Customer service
   • Conversing with a wide range of people
   • Phone work in Oakland
   • Driving in Oakland or San Jose
   • Office work in Oakland
   • Patience, good sense of humor
   • Willingness to learn and share the importance of blood donation

Thanks for taking time to complete this assessment! If you answered yes to five or six of these questions, we encourage you to complete a volunteer application and sign up for an orientation. You will be right at home here!

Return to:   How To Become A Volunteer