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Volunteer of the Year Award
Management of Volunteers
Effective volunteer management can help you keep valuable individuals returning year after year. Providing structure for volunteers will ensure you maximize their time, skills, experience, and level of commitment. Here are some helpful hints for managing volunteers:
- Explain your program goals. Clearly defined goals will help you and your volunteers measure accomplishments and evaluate progress.
- Indicate how the goals impact each volunteer.
- Review goals regularly. Modify them if your site’s needs change.
- Determine aspects of your program that need assistance (i.e. fundraising, book selection, event planning). Then identify specific tasks within each category that volunteers can do.
- Create a job description for each task. Clearly define the volunteer's role and responsibilities. Be sure to identify any required skills and an estimated amount of time the task should take. Volunteers are more effective when they are clear about their objectives.
- Provide a volunteer orientation.
- Give volunteers general information about RIF as well as the history of your program. Use resources such as the RIF website, www.rif.org, sections of the RIF Coordinator Handbook, and photos of your program highlights.
- Explain general policies, expectations, procedures (include safety procedures), and schedules (volunteer times, closings, meetings, holidays).
- Introduce the staff and other volunteers.
- Provide a tour of your school, clinic, library, etc., and explain the services and facilities available. Be sure to include where the volunteer will be working and the location of supplies and restrooms.
- Distribute job descriptions, and answer questions.
- Have experienced volunteers mentor or train people.
- Establish a work environment that fosters supportive relationships between staff and volunteers.
- Make sure volunteers and staff understand each other's roles and responsibilities. Having a clear division and understanding of responsibilities will avoid confusion.
- Provide and receive feedback from volunteers and staff. Open communication creates a professional environment where ideas and suggestions are fostered and accountability is recognized.
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