How do you manage your volunteer resources?

1 Define your volunteer roles

Before you recruit and train your volunteers, you need to have a clear idea of what roles and tasks they will perform, and how they will fit into your overall mission and structure. Define your volunteer roles based on the skills, interests, and availability of your potential volunteers, as well as the needs and priorities of your organization. Make sure that your volunteer roles are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, and that they have clear objectives, responsibilities, and expectations. This will help you attract and retain the right volunteers for your cause, and avoid confusion and frustration.

2 Provide orientation and training

Once you have your volunteer roles defined, you need to provide your volunteers with adequate orientation and training to prepare them for their work. Orientation and training should cover the basics of your organization, such as its history, vision, values, policies, and procedures, as well as the specific skills and knowledge required for their volunteer role. Orientation and training should also include opportunities for feedback, questions, and interaction, to help your volunteers feel welcome, supported, and confident. You can use various methods and formats for orientation and training, such as online courses, workshops, webinars, manuals, videos, or mentoring.

3 Communicate and collaborate

Communication and collaboration are essential for managing your volunteer resources effectively. You need to communicate with your volunteers regularly and consistently, to keep them informed, engaged, and motivated. You can use various channels and tools for communication, such as email, phone, text, social media, newsletters, or online platforms. You also need to collaborate with your volunteers, to involve them in decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation. You can use various methods and formats for collaboration, such as meetings, surveys, forums, brainstorming sessions, or feedback loops. Communication and collaboration will help you build trust, rapport, and loyalty with your volunteers, and foster a sense of community and belonging.

4 Recognize and reward

Recognition and reward are key factors for managing your volunteer resources efficiently. You need to recognize and reward your volunteers for their contributions, achievements, and impact, to show them that you appreciate and value their work. You can use various forms and levels of recognition and reward, such as verbal praise, certificates, badges, awards, incentives, or events. You also need to tailor your recognition and reward to your volunteers' preferences, needs, and motivations, to make them more meaningful and personal. Recognition and reward will help you boost your volunteers' morale, satisfaction, and retention, and encourage them to continue and expand their involvement.

5 Evaluate and improve

Evaluation and improvement are vital for managing your volunteer resources successfully. You need to evaluate and improve your volunteer program, to measure its effectiveness, efficiency, and impact, and to identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. You can use various tools and techniques for evaluation and improvement, such as data collection, analysis, reporting, feedback, or audits. You also need to evaluate and improve your volunteer performance, to assess their skills, knowledge, and attitudes, and to provide them with constructive feedback, guidance, and support. Evaluation and improvement will help you enhance your volunteer program's quality, relevance, and sustainability, and to foster your volunteers' growth, development, and learning.

6 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?