g'dayn yadda yadda2,
I keep getting that error message too (patience usually wins out).
On volunteering. A few years ago I joined WIRES (New South Wales Wildlife Information and Rescue Service). It was great. I learned all about rescuing and caring for native animals and ended up on the board of directors. A position from which I could develop and initiate change (I created their first habitat policy, euthenasia policy etc..). Then I joined NSW Rescue and received training in rescuing people from house fires, wrecked cars, finding hikers lost in wilderness etc..). I also volunteered my time doing oral history research with the elderly, some of which made it's way into an academic style local history book I wrote and a comedic fictional/factional history book I'm writing about this strange area of the world.
I realise now I gave too much time to volunteering but the rewards were many, especially in making oneself known in a country area.
cheer, unc.