growing your organization’s volunteer program

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Growing Your Organization’s Volunteer Program

Goals

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• Provide information and evidence demonstrating the importance of a volunteer program.

• Identify steps and a process to be used in the review or development of a volunteer program.

Volunteers Represent An Investment

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BenefitsEffective Programs Bring Returns

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Reimagining Service5

50 or more volunteers = Increased capacity

The Service Enterprise

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“. . . fundamentally leverages volunteers and their skills to successfully deliver on the social mission of the organization”

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Path To Becoming A Service Enterprise

“Service Enterprises are able to get as much as three to six times the value out of volunteers as the cost to manage them”

What Is Reimaging Service? http://reimaginingservice.org/pdfs/PDF03.pdf

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BENEFITS

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Input & feedbackAdditional human resourcesAdditional expertiseContacts and outreachAct as connectors to other groupsProvide community monitoringProvide financial support

Costs & Challenges

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ProgrammingTravel, foodMaterials

RecruitmentRecognition

SpaceComputer access, desk

Tools & materialsStaff time & commitment

Planning, preparation, review, revision Volunteer Management

Training

The Cost of A Volunteer, The Grantmaker Forum on Community and National Service

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Because of changing demographics and expectations among those who volunteer, organizations are compelled to invest more time and money in the recruitment, training and retention of 21st volunteers. . .”

Making The InvestmentSteps to A To-Notch Volunteer Program

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Revisit your organization’s mission. Gather Ideas—Conduct a Needs Assessment Develop a case statement Get buy-in Do initial program design Develop the resources Capitalize on trends and community resources. Determine the structure Address risk management issues Determine if there are legal issues to address Develop effective volunteer management policies and procedures. Start small—pilot, reevaluate

Before conducting a needs assessment:

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I. Review your organizational vision and mission.What are you trying to accomplish in your community?How do volunteers fit into the program’s mission,

strategies, and goals?How could volunteers best meet the program’s needs

to serve more people and make a greater difference to the community?

How can volunteers help meet program goals?

Develop a purpose statement (case statement)

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A written statement that explains the object for which anything exists or is done or is made.

“A Case Statement is a living document that you must have on file at all times. It is important for your Board of Directors and your Donor Development Department to understand, who you are and what you intend to do to make a difference in your community. A case statement is essential to the future success of the organization in raising major funds. This document is crucial for any other proposals that might be written in the future, such as grants to Foundations or proposals to churches or corporation”

http://www.rescuemissionfoundation.org/rmf/howto-casestatement.htm

The Case Statement•Demonstrates the value of the program

•Provides structure and focus for activities

•Used in outreach activities—letterhead, recruitment, etc.

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Examples

Those who care for seriously ill children often suffer from the fall out--divorce, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression. Volunteers who serve with our organization help strengthen and extend our ability to support and strengthen families with children suffering from a variety of illnesses and injuries.

The ___ mobilizes volunteers to collect and distribute food to those in need as well as to provide effective education and support to promote healthy eating.

Conduct a Needs Assessment

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Identify where volunteers should be placedIdentify where volunteers are no longer neededIdentify ways volunteers can increase staff efficiencyCreate staff buy-in

How is a needs assessment done?

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Choose the one that best fits your organization

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Who participates?

DISCUSSION

Pause the webinar presentation at this time

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How has or will your organization assess your needs?

How did or will your organization obtain buy-in for the volunteer program and/or potential changes?

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Volunteer positions should not:Volunteer positions should not:

Require extensive training

Involve significant risk to the individual or the organization

Include duties that are repetitive and on-going in nature

Replace staff

Develop the resources

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Develop a Budget line itemVolunteer recruitment materialsProject materialsStaff training

Identify staff responsibilitiesIncorporate volunteer management responsibilities into

staff position descriptions

Allocate space (if necessary)

Identifying Resources

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How can you advocate within your organization to get the resources you need to be successful?

Create a volunteer advisory council chaired by a current board member.

Host a focus group of volunteers and staff and present report or recommendations to supervisor or board.

Prepare a quarterly report to the board on the value of the volunteer program.

Other.

Five Elements of Volunteer Management

NEXT STEPS. . .

Determine the structure

Develop policies and procedures

Put them in writing•Volunteer Handbook•Volunteer Orientation

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Discussion

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What is your organization’s next step?

What can you do to facilitate the process?

Summary—Questions/Feedback

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Please complete and return your evaluation form. Your input is appreciated.

Thank you for your time and willingness to participate in this training.