Top 10 Traits of a Contributor Volunteer

By Christine Doeg

Contributor Volunteers wear T-Shirts that say “Happy to Contribute.” This is perfect for two reasons. Volunteering with The Contributor is a way to truly contribute to your community in a meaningful and tangible way. The work Contributor volunteers do has a direct impact on our most vulnerable Nashville neighbors. Contributor volunteers never leave a shift feeling like they wasted their time. And despite the fact that they are often dealing with difficult situations, the staff, the other volunteers, and the people they serve are inspiring and fun to work with. Either working with Contributor Vendors makes one a better person, or only the best people show up to do this work. It’s hard to imagine a more dedicated group of people exists out there.

The Top 10 Traits of Contributor Volunteers we really care about is just sad. They’re dying because of this rough lifestyle and the position they’re in and sometimes you’ll find out a year later or something.”

1. Kindness: The people we serve are on difficult journeys and Contributor Volunteers have to meet them where they are, always trying to provide a smile and a helping hand. Sometimes it’s the only one they will see all week.

2. Dedication: The Sales Office job in particular requires some training and consistency. Volunteers must be dedicated and available to fill one shift a week.

3. Adaptability: There is never a dull moment in the Contributor Sales Office. Contributor Volunteers go with the flow.

First says compassionate peers make coming to work in the office enjoyable, and that there’s never a day he has a volunteer shift and feels begrudged to come in.

“I hate leaving for that reason,” First says. “The Contributor’s been one of my favorite parts of Nashville and the biggest part is just being around similarly compassionate people. It has been a real plus for my life.”

Volunteers for The Contributor must be willing to have conversations. Vendors love to talk to the volunteers, and vice versa, and most of the time volunteers are the first people folks encounter at the nonprofit. First’s recommendation is to come into the office with a mindset that you can meet good people and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Some days are busier than others in the volunteer office at The Contributor. Working under pressure is important, but working with the other volunteers is just as important. First has worked with several volunteers who’ve become friends, and one who he found out he had childhood connections with: He had gone to military school with her husband.

“At times, we’ve loaded up — sometimes it was Andy [Shapiro] and sometimes Mike [Reilly] — our little pickup trucks and we’d meet and clean stuff out to take it to places where folks had just gotten into housing,” First says. “Those are the really good days, just really an exciting thing when someone gets into housing and you get to be part of it in any way. I think this is almost universal among all volunteers, but just those interactions with vendors where you see their success and their life going in some way better than it was.”

4. Computer Literacy: Our database is the envy of service organizations across the Metro area and crucial to everything we do. Sales Office volunteers must be capable of learning how to create invoices and input data. (It’s not that hard, we’ll teach ya).

5. A Sense of Humor: Because that just makes everything easier and more fun for everyone else.

6. Energy: Sometimes it can get hectic, but getting into the “flow” is invigorating.

7. A Need for Community: Not sure who you will love more, the vendors, the staff or the other volunteers.

8. Availability: See No. 2. We know it’s not for everyone, but if you have free time during the week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there is no better way to spend it.

9. Patience: Above all else, our vendors need understanding and empathy.

10. Problem Solving Skills: Everyday is different and every vendor has a different story and different needs.

"Michael" | BY CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR AARON S.

This is a celebration of life of artist Dylan Ruff (2000-2023). He was a Belmont Alumni who loved people and life. His music is on Spotify under artist name Dyylan. |

BY CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR WENDELL J. #5314