Throughout your working years you are at the beck and call of your boss, your clients, patients, editors — anyone who has a financial tie to how you spend your time. Divorcing your activities from a paycheck brings new opportunities and a different set of pressures as you weigh how you are going to spend your time. Once away from the workplace, you get to slow things down a bit. Going into slow mode does not mean stopping altogether, however. Volunteering can broaden and enrich life. It is a fantastic way to do something significant. Leaving a career where you were somebody who was valued and respected can leave a hole in your life. Digging in to help with a noble cause brings new meaning to your days.

The tone of volunteering is becoming more and more professional, which is a reflection of the sophisticated employment history of those currently shifting from paid to unpaid workers. In fact, a whole profession of volunteer administration is evolving that establishes standards to guide non-profits in managing their volunteers appropriately.

Although finding places to volunteer is easy, finding the best fit for you will require planning, and perhaps a bit of trial and error. Locally you might consider:

• Places of worship

• Schools

• Shelters (people or animal)

• Meals on Wheels

• Service clubs — Rotary, Lions, Women's Service Leagues

• Boys and Girls Club

• Scouts

• Hospital

• English as a Second Language programs or other tutoring programs

The more connected you are in your community, the more familiar you are likely to be with places that could use your help.