How can you develop a rubric for evaluating volunteer performance?

1 Define the purpose and scope

The first step is to define the purpose and scope of your rubric. Why do you want to evaluate volunteer performance? What are the goals and objectives of your volunteer program? Who will use the rubric and how? These questions will help you determine the focus and level of detail of your rubric. For example, if you want to evaluate volunteer performance for recognition and appreciation, you might use a simple rubric that highlights the positive aspects of their work. If you want to evaluate volunteer performance for training and development, you might use a more detailed rubric that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of their skills and competencies.

2 Identify the criteria and levels

The next step is to identify the criteria and levels of your rubric. Criteria are the aspects or dimensions of volunteer performance that you want to measure, such as communication, teamwork, reliability, or impact. Levels are the descriptions or scales of how well the volunteers meet the criteria, such as excellent, good, satisfactory, or needs improvement. You can use numbers, letters, or words to label the levels, but make sure they are consistent and clear. You can also assign points or weights to each level, depending on how important they are for your rubric.

3 Write the descriptors

The third step is to write the descriptors for each criterion and level of your rubric. Descriptors are the statements or examples that explain what each level of performance looks like for each criterion. They should be specific, observable, and measurable, so that the volunteers and the evaluators can understand them easily. You can use verbs, adjectives, or phrases to write the descriptors, but avoid vague or subjective terms that might cause confusion or bias. You can also use feedback from previous volunteers or best practices from similar programs to inform your descriptors.

4 Test and revise

The final step is to test and revise your rubric before using it. You can test your rubric by applying it to some sample volunteer work or by asking some volunteers or colleagues to review it. You can revise your rubric by checking for clarity, accuracy, consistency, and fairness. You can also ask for feedback from the users of your rubric and make adjustments based on their suggestions. You should review and update your rubric periodically to ensure that it reflects the current needs and standards of your volunteer program.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?