Working With Volunteers

The Doctor is In:Curing what ails your volunteer

program

Though government has an important role to play in meeting the many challenges that remain before us, we are coming to understand that no organization, including government, will fully succeed without the active participation of each of us.

Volunteers are vital to enabling this country to live up to the true promise of its heritage.

---President Bill Clinton

1 Understand the challenges and opportunities

Identify strategies to address challenges and capitalize on the opportunities for volunteer involvement

Determine actions to enhance the perceptionof volunteers

Today’s Learning Objectives

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3

I can’t afford to volunteer We are suffering financially People are less likely to think about

the needs of others Fear of the future Difficult emotions cause people to

withdraw

I can’t afford to volunteer We are suffering financially People are less likely to think about

the needs of others Fear of the future Difficult emotions cause people to

withdraw

I want to help People showing their appreciation

keeps me coming back Current events spiked my interest I want to make friends I want to get involved in the

community

I want to help People showing their appreciation

keeps me coming back Current events spiked my interest I want to make friends I want to get involved in the

community

How are Volunteers Feeling?

NegativeNegativePositivePositive

Understand the challenges and opportunities

NegativeNegativePositivePositive

I don’t have time to train a new volunteer

I don’t have anything for them to do I can’t count on volunteers They can’t do my job, it’s too

complicated ? ?

I don’t have time to train a new volunteer

I don’t have anything for them to do I can’t count on volunteers They can’t do my job, it’s too

complicated ? ?

I need help Reliable volunteers keep coming

back I can recommend friends to our

programs Volunteers become donors ? ?

I need help Reliable volunteers keep coming

back I can recommend friends to our

programs Volunteers become donors ? ?

How are Employees Feeling?

NegativeNegativePositivePositive

Understand the challenges and opportunities

NegativeNegativePositivePositive

The economic impact is:Increased demand for services

Less revenue to deliver services

Every agency is taking different paths

Increases in volunteer availability

Highly skilled “pro-bono” volunteers

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2

3

4

5

6 Agencies competing for “good” volunteers

1 2

Welcome the change

Define opportunities

6 Prescriptions for success

Framing the Challenges

Identify strategies to address challenges and capitalize on the opportunities

Prescription 1•Design positions to address current needs

•Reception Desk•Education & Training Data Entry•AOCs•DAT•Instructors•?•?

Prescription 2•Assess volunteers

•Ask them to tell you what they can do•Follow their lead•Mention other volunteers who do similar activities•Gauge skill level•Don’t be afraid to offer up other agencies

Prescription 3•Develop volunteer leaders

•Support and reduce demands on your time•View volunteers as integral to your service delivery•Not just nice “helpers”

Prescription 4•Tap into job seekers as volunteers

•Highly skilled “pro-bono” volunteers•Looking to enhance their resume•Become future spokespersons

Prescription 5•Work well with volunteers

•Say “Hello” and introduce yourself•Smile and say “Thank You” often•Recognize their efforts regularly•Ask a “highly skilled” volunteer for advice•Be respectful of their time

1

Determine actionsto enhance the volunteers program

Determine challengesCoach staff and current volunteersStreamline volunteers processProvide resources??????

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We are expecting a renewal of civic spirit and an increase in interest and participation in volunteering. Many wonder what would be possible if we transformed public good will into solutions for our neighbors and the organization that serve them. Increased donations of volunteer time and talent are critical additions to our current philanthropic gifts of money and goods, but it will require a major shift in the way many people think about service.

Fortunately that’s starting to occur. The entire notion of volunteering is undergoing a radical transformation; what has long been seen as nice has increasingly become necessary.

---Sue Carter, CEO of Volunteer San Diego