Verifying volunteer experience

[U-M_Detroiter]

Hi,

 

I am applying this fall to several MSW programs. I have good research experience, a decent GPA, and a ton of volunteer experience. However, there are two or three supervisors that have relocated and I do not have anyway of contacting them. One, for instance, was locally campaigning for the 2012 presidential election, transporting individuals who did not have cars to and from polling centers. I am afraid that schools will think I am lying about the experience. The volunteer experiences were good and pertained to Social Work, so I defiantly want to include them. Any thoughts as to what I should do? 

 

Thanks!

[MsDarjeeling]

I too have tons of volunteer experience and have had no trouble having it verified.  I've treated it similarly to a job reference.  I make sure to have a contact number for anyone I worked directly with, the manager of the department/volunteer coordinator, and someone in HR.  In most cases volunteers have a file much like that of regular employees that contains an application and resume, copies of LOR's, copies of awards earned, job duties, approximate hours per week/month, etc.  If a background check, drug screen, etc were required then evidence of that would also be in the file.  This way if the person who supervised you weren't available anyone in HR or management could pull your file to verify your service.

 

I also make note of when my name/photo is mentioned in that companies newsletter, website, or special event announcement.  That can assist the verification process also.

[U-M_Detroiter]

I too have tons of volunteer experience and have had no trouble having it verified.  I've treated it similarly to a job reference.  I make sure to have a contact number for anyone I worked directly with, the manager of the department/volunteer coordinator, and someone in HR.  In most cases volunteers have a file much like that of regular employees that contains an application and resume, copies of LOR's, copies of awards earned, job duties, approximate hours per week/month, etc.  If a background check, drug screen, etc were required then evidence of that would also be in the file.  This way if the person who supervised you weren't available anyone in HR or management could pull your file to verify your service.

 

I also make note of when my name/photo is mentioned in that companies newsletter, website, or special event announcement.  That can assist the verification process also.

Unfortunately, I did not have the foresight to get contact numbers or anything like that. I'm hoping that they will be able to verify via records? I did not have to take a drug screening, have a background check for several of them, or even submit a resume. They were opportunities I signed up for at community events. 

[waterjug]

Honor system? Maybe its more about wanting to make sure you have the desire or the ability to work with the vulnerable.....than some sort of prerequisite. I wouldn't stress it.

[MsDarjeeling]

Unfortunately, I did not have the foresight to get contact numbers or anything like that. I'm hoping that they will be able to verify via records? I did not have to take a drug screening, have a background check for several of them, or even submit a resume. They were opportunities I signed up for at community events. 

 

Well if you remember the organizations name and where it was located (exact address can be found via internet search) then that is a place to start.  I would just contact them and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator or whoever handles the event you helped at.  Then explain to that person that you may need your service verified and ask what sort of records they keep.  They may be willing to write a letter that lists your volunteer hours and duties (not exactly a LOR) that you can attach to applications and it should have company contact info on it if someone has follow up questions.

[U-M_Detroiter]

Thanks for the advice all! In my application for U of M I was told to list "n/a" for those I did not have information for, and then to explain why I put "n/a" in my additional information statement.