Volunteers are the lifeblood of most non-profits, associations and clubs. But many organizations – especially small-staff or volunteer-led groups – struggle to effectively recruit, train and manage their volunteer base.
While I’m no volunteer management expert, I have been on both sides of the volunteer equation: as both a staffer and volunteer at a number of non-profits. And from what I’ve seen and read, it seems that in order for volunteers to have an enjoyable and productive experience and for organizations to reap the full benefits of their labor, it requires some basic volunteer management planning. Here are my thoughts:
To successfully match volunteers with tasks or projects, organizations need to:
1. Set clear objectives:
o Exactly how will volunteers help?
o What are the specific goals for the volunteer in terms of: activities/tasks/projects
2. Create job descriptions for different volunteer roles
3. Identify a basic recruitment process and contact person for responding to volunteer applicants
o Exactly how will volunteers help?
o What are the specific goals for the volunteer in terms of: activities/tasks/projects
2. Create job descriptions for different volunteer roles
3. Identify a basic recruitment process and contact person for responding to volunteer applicants
To be effective in their roles, volunteers need to:
1. Be screened and matched to the appropriate opportunities (e.g., if they are professionals, do they want to use these skills as a volunteer or do they want something totally different; do they prefer face-to-face work or are they more suited to helping out online?)
2. Receive an orientation to both the organization as a whole and to the commitment they are making (e.g., if they are a Board member – what exactly does this entail?)
3. Be trained on the specific project/task. Your well-intentioned volunteer may not have canvassed or staffed an information booth before. A little training can go a long way to ensuring success and volunteer retention.)
4. Have an identified supervisor or mentor (e.g., staff, committee chair, out-going chair, etc.) – Be sure it’s clear – literally: “who do you get in touch with?”
5. Receive ongoing encouragement and recognition. You really can’t say thank you enough!
2. Receive an orientation to both the organization as a whole and to the commitment they are making (e.g., if they are a Board member – what exactly does this entail?)
3. Be trained on the specific project/task. Your well-intentioned volunteer may not have canvassed or staffed an information booth before. A little training can go a long way to ensuring success and volunteer retention.)
4. Have an identified supervisor or mentor (e.g., staff, committee chair, out-going chair, etc.) – Be sure it’s clear – literally: “who do you get in touch with?”
5. Receive ongoing encouragement and recognition. You really can’t say thank you enough!
Charting Your Volunteer’s Journey
If your organization has never formalized your volunteer recruitment and orientation process, the eight suggestions above might seem a little daunting. But just as you want to match the right volunteer with the most appropriate tasks, you might also find that those of you tasked with organizing your recruitment process might have pertinent skills to offer. For example, if one of you is process-oriented, you could create a basic flow-chart diagram that will illustrate your volunteer’s journey from the first phone call or email, through the orientation and training process. Sometimes creating a diagram helps to identify logical steps that need to be taken and how these might intersect one-another.
If your organization has never formalized your volunteer recruitment and orientation process, the eight suggestions above might seem a little daunting. But just as you want to match the right volunteer with the most appropriate tasks, you might also find that those of you tasked with organizing your recruitment process might have pertinent skills to offer. For example, if one of you is process-oriented, you could create a basic flow-chart diagram that will illustrate your volunteer’s journey from the first phone call or email, through the orientation and training process. Sometimes creating a diagram helps to identify logical steps that need to be taken and how these might intersect one-another.
Want More Tips and Ideas?
For more tips and ideas about making the volunteer experience more effective, check out the October Non-profit Blog Carnival – being hosted by the Wild Apricot blog on October 27th.
For more tips and ideas about making the volunteer experience more effective, check out the October Non-profit Blog Carnival – being hosted by the Wild Apricot blog on October 27th.
Article by Lori Halley, Wild Apricot blog
Read full article here
Read full article here
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