Volunteers

A Link to the Community

Recruit

• Get ready– Why, what, who– When, where, how

• Publicize– Scattershot and laser beam

• Follow up– Screen, select, and place

Why?

Why?• Your organization believes in the volunteer ethos. • Volunteers allow you to do more.• Volunteers bring expertise, experience and a

perspective which is unique.• Volunteers raise the profile and awareness of the

service.• We’ve always had volunteers.• The management structure of a board of directors is

by law not permitted to derive a profit and is, therefore voluntary. – Citizen Information

• Volunteerism isn’t just about people doing something for free. Volunteerism is about seeing a need and individuals mobilizing to help fulfill that need, regardless of circumstances.

Edward Callahan, American Red Cross Regional Manager of Volunteer Operations and on CCVA Board of Directors

What?

• I sure would like someone to …

• Someday …

Write it down.

WhenTimes available or unavailable for volunteer work

WhereConvenient, adequate space, furniture and equipment

HowProcedures and suppliesTraining and supervision

Who

• Aptitude/skill set• Where are they?

Documents

Job DescriptionTitle, what they doTime/schedule/

supervisorResponsibilitiesQualificationsGeneral guidelinesApplication form

Contact informationTime availableInterests and personal

goalsSkills, certificationsSafety, liability

statement

Recruit

• Get ready– Why, what, who– When, where, how

• Publicize– Scattershot and laser beam

• Follow up– Screen, select, and place

Orientation• Mission and Values• Building information• General volunteer information• Guidelines for success• Procedures

Training

Preparing the volunteer with the skills and knowledge for the specific job

A volunteer’s original motivation for joining is not always the same as their reason for staying.

AffiliationAchievementPower/Influence

Show Appreciation

• Daily– Greet, express thanks– Fluff their pillows– Have resources ready– Make good use of volunteer time and skills

• Yearly– Personal special days– National Volunteer Week

• Sporadically– Treats, conversation, and solicitation of opinions

If volunteers create trouble for themselves or the organization, it will most often be out of good intent rather than ill intent.

Linda Graff, author, trainer and consultant on volunteerism and not-for-profit management

How do you know your volunteer management is effective?

• Does the contribution of each volunteer make a measurable difference?

• Does the organization benefit from the volunteers’ contribution?

• Are volunteers supported and valued because of that contribution?

• Are volunteers turning up as agreed?• Are volunteers staying for the agreed amount

of time? – Citizens Information Board

Stakeholders

• Patrons• Library • Staff• Funders• Volunteers

Effective?

• Community involvement -- number of volunteers and volunteer hours

• Worth of volunteer hours (Independent Sector)

• Output - Input= value

• Treasure the stories

Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy.

You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.– Marjorie Moore