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Managing Volunteers for Success
Effective Management of Volunteers
Many nonprofits depend heavily upon volunteers to achieve their mission. In your organization volunteers might be involved in the direct service to clients, manage a major fund-raiser, work in the office, sit on your board, or a host of other significant contributions. Volunteers are individuals motivated to be involved in your organization. Critical to their success is the leadership and management that is provided to them.
What
Effective volunteer management is a process that ensures that volunteers are rightly recruited, interviewed, placed, trained, supervised and recognized. Much like human resource management, management of volunteers looks at job descriptions, benefits and rewards.
Why
"Windows to the community" is a phrase coined by author Nora Silver. It best describes volunteers working in nonprofit organizations and the significant dual role they play. Like windows, volunteers allow a view into the organization by sharing their experiences with others in the community and they share a view of the community and outside stakeholders with the inside organization. The interface they play can be a significant way to share your mission and vision with the community and consistently understand the concerns and opportunities of the community.
How
Volunteers today expect a fulfilling and satisfying experience when they become engaged in your mission. There are many reasons why people choose to volunteer in organizations and your job is to determine the reason they choose to invest in yours and then provide the desired outcomes for the volunteers. At the same time, the work they contribute to your organization and clients should be relevant and productive. There are many elements necessary in an effective volunteer program.
Cornerstone offers consulting services and training in all the elements of successful volunteer programs. A place we often start in working with clients is to complete a Volunteer Program Audit which gives both us, as consultants, and our clients specific areas to address.
Nora Silver, At the Heart
published by Valley Volunteer Center,
Pleasanton, CA, 1988.
| Topic |
Snapshot |
| Volunteer Program Audit |
An assessment process that is done through verbal and written assessment to understand the specific areas that could be addressed for improvement or growth. |
| Consulting Services |
Designed to address specific areas within a client's program. |
| Training Services |
Tailored to address the specific audience for a client (e.g. staff, administration) to provide understanding of volunteer program management. |
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