FAQ - Hands On Orlando

Q	What is Hands On Orlando’s non-profit mission?
A	Hands On Orlando solves community problems by empowering people to make a difference through meaningful volunteer action.
Q	When was HOO founded?
A	June, 1999.
Q	As a non-profit organization, how does Hands On Orlando stay in operation?
A	We are funded 100% by donations.
Q	When I volunteer, am I helping or supporting Hands On Orlando?
A	No. When you volunteer, we help you help other non-profit agencies.
Q	Is HOO a volunteer referral service...a middle-man?
A	No. We identify, plan, manage and lead volunteers in diverse projects, for numerous recipient non-profit organizations. It is extremely detailed work. We are the opposite of a referral service.
Q	Why doesn’t Hands On Orlando list several months of future calendar projects?
A	We’ve tried it. Too many people forget what they sign up for and don’t remember the date, time and place of their project(s).
Q	How many volunteers had HOO recruited and served?
A	We have recruited, served and managed over 125,000 volunteers on hundreds of hands-on projects.
Q	Some projects require tools and supplies. How are they obtained?
A	It’s not typical for agencies we help to have enough tools and supplies on hand to accomplish projects that they identify as important. At our expense, Hands On Orlando has invested in tools to help make many projects possible.
Q	How does HOO come up with project ideas?
A	We call and visit numerous non-profit organizations to see how we can assist. Some organizations call us for help.
Q	Hands On Orlando has helped lots of people. How many?
A	That’s hard to estimate, and the help comes in degrees of importance. For every 1.5 pounds of food a volunteer sorts, that equals one meal for a hungry person. We’ve engaged thousands of volunteers on food salvage projects. When we replaced 2000 traffic guide posts in a public park, 250,000 children, families and groups who visit the park for the next 15 years each will be safer.
Q	How can I help Hands On Orlando?
A	Monetary donations enable us offer services to volunteers, non-profit agencies and to people in need of some helping hands.
Q	Does HOO serve persons who are ordered to perform “community service” by courts?
A	We encourage everyone to volunteer because we believe it is the right thing to do. Helping others is an act of kindness and a common expectation in a civil society. By sentencing people to perform “community service” the court system makes our job substantially more difficult. Many people believe “community service is what bad people have to do.” We don’t even use the phrase “community service.” In our opinion, courts do very little to help offenders find meaningful “community service” opportunities that could help them reform their lives. Victims have a right to restitution, but the non-profit sector is largely unable to meaningfully engage offenders.
Q	Does HOO set the age limit for volunteers on projects?
A	No. We negotiate the minimum age of participation with recipient agencies. Factors include liability, work quality and quantity. It is our policy not to help agencies that only want adult volunteers.
Q	I run a non-profit agency and need help. We need people to fold newsletters, stuff envelops, answer the phone and usher events like fundraising walks and runs. Can you help?
A	Sorry. We wouldn’t have much luck recruiting volunteers to do these jobs. Our volunteers get involved because we offer them opportunities to use their heads, hearts and hands to make a difference. We believe this is best accomplished by encouraging people to take part in well managed volunteer projects that enable them to make a direct difference in the lives of people in need.
Q	What is Hands On Orlando’s service area?
A	Almost all of our volunteer projects take place in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties (2,880 square mile area). Volunteers have come from all 50 states and more than 60 countries.
Q	Is Hands On Orlando a membership organization?
A	No. We recruit and serve volunteers from the general public.
Q	Do volunteers need to have special skills to participate?
A	No, just a smile and desire to make a difference. We identify, plan and manage projects that everyone can participate in and find meaningful. If we ask for people with certain skills, we would limit the number of volunteers we could serve and dramatically increase our costs in terms of tools and supplies.
Q	Can HOO write a letter to verify that I volunteered?
A	We would be happy to sign your volunteer attendance form (we also make a form available) at the conclusion of each project. The recipient agency (charity benefiting from your time and effort) will typically be happy to acknowledge your volunteer time with a note or letter. HOO would have to dedicate a full-time employee to respond to these requests. We can not afford the cost; time, postage and letterhead. We operate with a very small staff and budget.
Q	Beyond a project’s obvious direct benefits, why should non-profit agencies seek Hands On Orlando’s help?
A	We save non-profits lots of money and accomplish tasks they identify as priorities. This enables agencies to dedicate more resources to helping people. Hands On Orlando also enables non-profit organizations to become better known by more caring people. When volunteers have great experiences on our projects, it could lead to ongoing support!
Q	Is Hands On Orlando a faith-based organization?
A	No. We serve a large, diverse and growing number of volunteers and non-profit organizations. People of all faiths and philosophies are welcomed and encouraged to participate in our projects.
Q	When it comes to supporting non-profit agencies, public schools and parks, what are Hands On Orlando’s greatest challenges?
A	There is a high staff turnover rate in the non-profit sector. Frequently, institutional knowledge is not passed from one staff member to another. Many agencies don’t have or don’t want to commit the resources needed to accomplish projects that they identify as important. Some agencies lack insight and creativity when it comes to recruiting and engaging volunteers. Would you rather stuff envelops for a charity that helps kids or fix and beautify its playground? Agencies need to see the real dividends.
Q	Why are Project Coordinators important?
A	Hands On Orlando projects are lead by caring and capable volunteers who we recruit, train and support. Project Coordinators take “volunteerism” to a higher level. On-site project-level leadership helps assure positive outcomes for all volunteers and agencies we serve.

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