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Create your VolunteerMatch Profile –
and Get Matched!
Jennifer Bennett, CVA, Senior Manager, Education & Training
Matt Wallace, Senior Associate, Nonprofit Relations
To hear the presentation by phone call (415) 655-0051
Access Code: 915-042-921
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Agenda
• Getting Started
• Important Things to Think About
• Finding Opportunities on VolunteerMatch
• Working with a Nonprofit
• Your Questions
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I Think I Want to Volunteer – Now What?
• How much time – really – can I share?
– Weekly, Monthly, One Time, Project Based
• What Professional Skills can I Share/Learn
– What is your favorite part of what your do?
– What career did you almost pursue?
• What Hobbies or Other Skills can I Share/Learn?
– Things you might never do for pay, but enjoy
– Gardening, Event Planning, Animal Care
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How do I Find the Right Opportunity for Me?
• VolunteerMatch
– Basic Search
– Keyword Search
– Advanced Search
– Create your Profile
• Other Places to Find Opportunities
– Ask your friends – most successful referrals come from other
volunteers
– Your church, school, professional organization
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Evaluating Opportunities
• Good Opportunities Should Tell You
– What you’ll be doing
– What training or experience you need – if any
– Time commitment
– And most importantly Why
• It may be a Red Flag if Opportunities have
– Spelling and grammar errors
– Lack of details
– Jargon
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I Clicked ‘I Want to Help’ – What Happens Now?
• Ideally – the volunteer manager will contact you in 24
hours
But What if they Don’t….
• Take the Initiative – Call or Email
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Volunteer Screening Practices
• Interview
– May be lengthy or informal depending on the position
• Background Checks, Reference Checks
– Especially if working with at-risk populations: children, elderly
• Health Checks
– Schools, Hospitals
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Orientations and Trainings
• Orientations
– Introduce you to the organization
– Provide insight into culture
– Standards and Norms
• Trainings
– Should match the volunteer position
– May be lengthy
– May only happen on certain days or times
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What Should I Ask my Volunteer Manager?
• Job Specific Questions
– When will the job be done?
– What training will I need?
– Is there an opportunity for more involvement?
– Who will I be working with/Reporting to?
• Cultural Questions
– How flexible is the schedule? What if I have travel plans?
– How is success measured and acknowledged?
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What Should I Ask Myself?
• Logistical Questions
– Can I commit to this schedule?
– Am I able to complete this project?
– What are my ‘deal breakers’?
• Philosophical Questions
– Do I believe in this organization’s mission?
– How will I know I’ve made a difference?
– Are these people I want to work with?
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Keys to Success
• Know what you can realistically commit to – Then Do It!
– Not more, not less
• Communication
– If something is unclear, ask.
– If you feel that the position is not a good fit – say that.
• Keep an open mind
– Use caution when ‘suggesting’ new ideas
– Use tact
– Be Patient
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Thanks for attending!
Questions?
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Thanks for attending!
Join us online:
Like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VolunteerMatch
Follow us on Twitter: @VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch Community
Ask and answer questions after the webinar – use keywords Great Volunteer
http://community.volunteermatch.org/volunteer
For any questions contact:
Jennifer Bennett
(415) 321-3639
@JenBennettCVA