I am a current Hands On Charlotte volunteer, but this is my first time visiting the new Hands On Charlotte website. What do I do?
Your existing handsoncharlotte.org account is already linked to this new website. To continue using this free resource and remain connected to hundreds of service opportunities each month, please activate your account by resetting your password as soon as possible.

How do I become a Hands On Charlotte volunteer?
Becoming a Hands On Charlotte volunteer is easy! Simply register yourself by creating an account here.  Once you have created an account, you have the choice of becoming a Full Access Volunteer or Limited Access Volunteer.  For all information on membership, please visit our Become A Volunteer page. 

How do I create an account?
Click on Become a Volunteer – the first tab on the horizontal blue menu bar. Select the green “Create an Account” button, and complete the short registration form.

When do orientations take place?
About 4-5 orientations are offered a month.  All orientation opportunities are posted on our Opportunity Calendar. If these dates and times do not coordinate with your schedule, please visit our online orientation page. 

I thought I already had a Hands On Charlotte account, but am unable to login to the system. Now what?
If you input your log-in (email address) and click "Forgot Password" and nothing happens, call or email the HOC office. We'll look you up so that you don't create a duplicate account.

I tried to create an account, but the system says my email address is already in use. What should I do?
If during registration you receive a message that your email address is already in use, then click on the LOGIN link at the top right of the page, and enter your email address. If you do not know the password for your account, then click "Forgot Password" and password reset instructions will be emailed to you.

I forgot my username. How do I retrieve that information?
Your username is the email address you used when you created your account. If your email address does not work at login, please contact us at info@handsoncharlotte.org or (704) 333-7471 and a HOC representative should be in contact with you within two to three business days. Please provide us with your name, email address, and your preferred phone number.

I forgot my password. How do I retrieve that information?
Click the green "LOGIN" button on the top right of the website. Enter your username and click "Forgot password?" An email with a temporary password will be sent to you. Return to our website, click the green “LOGIN” button, and enter your username and your temporary password. The system will prompt you to change your password. PLEASE NOTE: Passwords must be at least eight characters.

Do I need to have an email address to volunteer with Hands On Charlotte?
Yes. Our website uses your email address to identify you and send you important information about any volunteer opportunities you sign up for. If you do not have an email account, you can get one free of charge from Yahoo or Google. Free Internet access is also available from most public libraries.

What's up with the Skills Profile in the My Account section? What is it used for?
The skills feature is still in development. If you are interested in using specific professional or trade skills in your volunteer work, please visit our Skills-based Volunteering page.

I am a youth volunteer. How do I get started? How old do I have to be to register on this site?
If you are 14-17 years old and in high school, please visit our HOC VolunTeens page.  You must be 13 years old to register as a volunteer on our website. Although children 12 or younger cannot create an account on this site, several of HOC’s volunteer opportunities are open to youth in this age group. Please see our opportunity calendar for opportunities open to youth, ages 6-12. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING WITH HANDS ON CHARLOTTE:

How do I search and sign up for volunteer opportunities?
Click on "Find an Opportunity" - located in the blue menu above - to search for opportunities or browse our Opportunity Calendar. Once you find a project that you would like to participate in, click on "Sign Up" or "Express Interest" located at the bottom of the opportunity description.

If it is a Sign Up opportunity, then you can sign up directly for that opportunity and will receive a confirmation email containing all the information you will need to participate, including directions. If you have questions about the project, you can send an email to the opportunity coordinator listed at the bottom of the project description.

If it is an Express Interest opportunity, then our Nonprofit Partner will contact you directly with further information about the volunteer opportunity and tell you how to sign up. An automated email will also be sent to you with contact information for the organization so that you can follow up with them if you do not get a response.

A NOTE ABOUT KEYWORD SEARCH: The keyword search function on the search opportunities page currently searches for an exact match in the title of the project. We anticipate several improvements in keyword search capabilities in the coming months. If you would like to search for volunteer opportunities with a specific organization via the Search Opportunities page: Below the "Additional Filters" heading on the left, expand the "What would you like to do?" box. Click on the arrow beneath "Serve with this organization" and select one or more nonprofits. Then, click "Refine."

What if I have questions about a volunteer opportunity and want them answered before I sign up?
At the bottom of every volunteer opportunity page, there is a link to email the Opportunity Leader. By clicking on this link, you can email your questions directly to the Opportunity Leader. If you do not hear back within two to three days, please email info@handsoncharlotte.org or call us at (704) 333-7471. 

I would like to volunteer with a group of friends/family/co-workers. How do I create and manage a volunteer team?
Please visit our Group Volunteering page for information about how to create and manage a team.

I have been waitlisted for a project. Now what?
If and when a space opens up, you will be notified via email. Open spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you are still available and interested for the volunteer opportunity, make sure you login, return to the sign-in page and claim one of the open spaces. PLEASE DO NOT JUST SHOW UP FOR THE PROJECT.

How do I remove myself from a project so that others can take my place?
If you need to remove yourself from a project, please log in, go to the "My Account" tab, find the project under the "Upcoming Opportunities" section, and click "Remove Me."

Can I keep track of my volunteer service through Hands On Charlotte?
Yes. Once you create a volunteer account, your record of volunteer service is tracked and can be accessed at any time. Attendance at Hands On Charlotte managed opportunities is logged by the Volunteer Leader, allowing for an accurate volunteer record to be maintained for every registered volunteer. For opportunities managed by our Nonprofit Partners (Express Interest, or To-Be-Scheduled opportunities), records depend on updates and upkeep made by the partner.  Therefore, some of these hours may not be reflected in your history.

My hours are not accurate. Why aren’t my hours showing up?
Please give the Volunteer Leader up to one month to verify attendance. However, if it takes longer for your hours to show up on your Account Overview page, go to your Volunteer History, view the opportunity listing for the project you served at and click the "Request Hours" link.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEENS:

How old do I have to be in order to participate in the HOC VolunTeens program?
The HOC VolunTeens program is for high school students, 14-17 years of age.

Do I have to complete a Background Check and Orientation?
No, HOC VolunTeens are not required to complete a Background Check and Orientation.

I have to complete service requirements for my school.  Can my hours be verified or approved?\
Yes, of course! If specific forms require signature(s), volunteer leaders and Hands On Charlotte staff are willing and able to approve your hours.  If you do not have a form from your school, Hands On Charlotte can provide a service history report for your records.

As a HOC VolunTeen, can I attend projects without a parent or guardian?
Yes and no.  Certain volunteer opportunities will allow you to attend without a parent, guardian, or chaperone.  Others may not.  Opportunities that do not require a parent, guardian, or chaperone will feature this statement in it’s Project Requirements: “Any volunteer under the age of 18 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone unless they are enrolled in the HOC VolunTeens Program.”