Increasing the value and impact of volunteer management

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PM1: Increasing the value and impact of volunteer management

Kristen Stephenson, Volunteer Management and Good Practice Manager, NCVO

Debbie Usiskin, Vice Chair, Association of Volunteer Managers

Rachael Bayley, Director, Association of Volunteer Managers and Head of Volunteering Development, Save the Children

Increasing the Value and Impact of Volunteer Management

Rachael Bayley AVM Kristen Stephenson NCVO Debbie Usiskin AVM

Evolve conference 2014

Definitions: Volunteering – a verb or a noun?

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• The term ‘volunteering’ describes a specialism which encompasses:

Volunteering

• VolunteeringThe activities of volunteers

• Volunteer management: day to dayThe support provided for volunteers

• Volunteering DevelopmentStrategic

development of volunteering

Why do we involve volunteers?

What is the impact of this?

• The why influences the how• How does this message affect volunteers• What does this message say to staff• Is it true?

Do volunteers save or make us money?

• In 2012 the ONS estimated that the economic contribution of volunteering is 23.9 billion- equivalent to 1.5% of GDP.

• A 2007 study found an ROI of up to £8 for every £1 invested in volunteering

• A 2006 survey found that the economic contribution by volunteers was equal to statutory funding

Additional volunteer contribution

• Reassurance to service users• Stay relevant to local people• Showing that the community cares• Quick route in to communities• Establishing community ownership• Influencing others to participate• Funders measuring soft outcomes

Evidence of impact

• De Montfort University

• International study RM House

• Action for Children

What do you know about Volunteer management?

Quick-fire quiz!!

Leaders in Volunteering™Leading the way in professional development for volunteer managers

IVM

VMPVolunteer Management Professionals

How did you do?

Model management

Types of roles

Informal & short-term Formal, structured & regular

.

Good neighbourSocial action• Informal building of

relationships, support and capacity in the community.

• independent of any organisation

• Neighbours • may have no

training and will not have been vetted

Roles requiring higher levels of training and possibly DBS check.• Trustees• Home visits & lone

working• Hospital volunteers• Some fundraising roles• Handyperson volunteers• community transport• Counselling & advice• Befriending • Bridge building

Support to a cause or organisation

Drop in volunteer

Lunch clubs

Social & activity group support

Admin support

Organised

citizens

Neighbourhood watch

Rotary

First Responders

Leading knowledgably

• We need to develop knowledge about what it is we are leading

• To align knowledge with organisational strategies

• Developing a knowledge strategy

Functionality

• Achieving our purpose• Extending services• Remaining connected to our communities• Retaining a users perspective• Give feedback informing new developments

Adaption

• Adapting to different circumstances• Adjusting as a result of feedback• Volunteers can be redeployed faster• Test new activities• Receiving feedback • Critical feedback from non service users

Sustainability

• Operating continuously• Maintaining optimum levels of effectiveness• Processes are renewed• New sources of critical resources• Self organising is enabled

Timeliness

• Occurring when expected or needed• Appropriate for the time and place• Maximising use of time

2008 predictions

21st Century Volunteer

Recipe for Successful Volunteering

Culture, Vision

Best Practice Framework

Hosts: volunteer managers

Volunteers

• Capable, competent & capacity

• …are fit for purpose the organisation can achieve win win volunteering

• Policies• Systems and procedures• Tools• Database• T&D for volunteer mgrs

• Senior buy in• Anchored in strategy• Fundamental belief and

commitment• Hard wired into culture

Culture

Best Practice Framework

HostsVolunteers

• skilled in Volunteer Management • able to lead & support volunteers• can access expert guidance• own volunteering in their team

What do you need?

Vision, strategy, policies

Systems, processes

& resources

Capacity, capable & competent

people

Growth, innovation,

more delivery

Organisational development

Prescription for Volunteering Readiness

Any questions?..........Thank you

[email protected]@[email protected]