Hello, I'm not really sure if this is the right place... But I'd just like to know about what happens during the scanalation process. Like how does a group go from a raw to a translated version. I've heard that it's hard (and it looks hard) and I'd like to learn more before I try to volunteer myself so I won't make empty promises. If there's another thread about this a link would be great.

The basic process: http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Scanlation_-_The_Scanlation_Process/id/2135932

TL;DR

Scanning

Raw provider, people that buy the japanese/chinese/etc manga, they also scan the magazine or the takobon (or send it to someone that can scan it)

Translation

Translator, does the translation from the original language
Proofreader, reads the translated text to see if there is any mistake (some groups like to have a proofreader that knows the original language too, others are okay with only a native/fluent English speaker)

Editing

Editor, if the groups only has editors (not cleaners, typesetters etc) you probably do everything listed below...
Cleaner, cleans the manga and makes it okay to edit (can also erase the text in some cases, if not, the editor does it)
Typesetter, puts the translations on the scans
Redrawers, when erasing some of the text, it could also erase part of the original drawing, so they edit the image and redraw the part that was erased
Quality Checker, checks if everything is okay, the manga doesn't have any mistake, be it in the translation or in the editing
Designers, some groups have designers, for their page layout, banner etc, but normally the other members in the editing team do it, I guess?

Distribution

Administrators and Uploaders, there is also the site, forum etc where the release is published, sometimes even online readers from the group, so someone has to organize the site and publish the new releases, upload them etc

I guess that is it...? Am I forgetting something? I think there is also "copy-editors", but I don't actually know what they do (it is like proofreading, but it is not??).

If you want to volunteer, the best option is to find a group. In their recruitment page there is probably an explanation of what they want and in what level you will work on (normally seinen translations are harder than shoujo translations, so if you work in a seinen translation group you will have to work harder than in a shoujo group). If you want to work with editing, there is probably a prerequisite program (cs6 etc) and a test... Some groups even offer training.
If you don't have any experience, I think typesetting (putting the phrases in the bubbles and in the right place in each frame) or proof-reading would be the best job for you.

I'm not part of a scanlation group, so it is probably better if another person explains it to you.
Please, if I said something wrong, correct me.

http://www.insidescanlation.com/etc/The-Idiots-Guide-to-Editing-Manga/guide/main.html

Quote from tart

http://www.insidescanlation.com/etc/The-Idiots-Guide-to-Editing-Manga/guide/main.html

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank you! I was trying to find that link to put in my comment... It is so useful! I thought it was by The Moon in a Box, but it was from Storm in Heaven.