Recently, my wife and I have been helping our 16-year-old niece find volunteer opportunities. She wants something to put on her college applications.

We were glad to help, but we first had to do research. If my niece had asked for advice about sitting on the couch in front of the TV, I could have told her all she needed to know off the top of my head.

It made me think about how I spend my time. Volunteer work is something I could spend a lot more time doing.

We have two small kids who demand a lot of time and attention, so I'm not wracked with guilt. But I do see, as one of those consultants who get paid to state the obvious might put it, an "opportunity area."

I'm making it one of my New Year's resolutions to spend more time volunteering.

I'm sharing this because publicly stating my good intentions sort of commits me to actually acting upon them. But I also suspect that there are many others out there who, like myself, could devote a little more time to good deeds, and I want to encourage them.

Wouldn't it be cool if we all rolled up our sleeves and made this an even better place to live?

A good place to start is page 2B in the City&State section of The N&O every Wednesday. There are a list of groups looking for volunteers -- from hospitals to museums, from groups that work with infants to groups that help inmates.

There are also some clearinghouse-type operations you can use. One of those is the City of Raleigh's Community Services Department. Another one is Triangle United Way.

When you call the Community Services Department , you get Pearl Wilson Smith, the volunteer services coordinator. And when you call Triangle United Way, they transfer you to Lula Johnson, the manager of the agency's 211 program, an information and referral program for social services.

Both women gushed when I told them I was going to write a column encouraging people to volunteer. "Our agencies are basically begging for volunteers," Johnson said.

Both women said volunteer work can lead to full-time jobs and looks impressive on a resume. And, probably, it will make you feel good.

Reach Smith at 831-6111 and Johnson at 463-5043. Or visit www.irissoft.com/nc211 (scroll down to the organizations preceded by "VO").