Volunteer Onboarding: Make it the Beginning of a Successful Relationship presented by Elise Hyder

1. Volunteer Onboarding: Make it the Beginning of a Successful Relationshippresented by Elise Hyder Certification Chair Cincinnati Association of Volunteer Administrators

2. What are qualities you look for in a volunteer? /a>, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.</div></div>

3. Connection is vital for building a successful relationship

4. Key Elements for Successful Relationships with Volunteers • Respect • Understanding • Clear definition of role and responsibility • Clear understanding of procedures or rules • Opportunities to meet and share in planning and evaluation processes

5. Before Onboarding • Clearly defined roles for volunteers and staff • Position Descriptions – be as specific as possible • Set the standards and expectations • Develop Policies & Procedures • Identify the requirements of risk management in developing opportunities • Detailed application • Background checks • Privacy policy rights of volunteers • Non-discrimination clause

7. The Interview: First Date • Opportunity to discover if the volunteer is a good fit for a seat on your “bus” and vice versa (Jim Collins, Good to Great) • Personal connection = glue to building engagement • Provide clear set of expectations • In what format do you interview? • Face to face • Phone What are important qualities you are looking for in a volunteer? • Help guide your interview and screening techniques • Refer to position description • What are questions you ask on interviews? • What are your core values? • What about our mission motivated you to volunteer with us? • How do you think you can help us achieve our mission? • What accomplishment In your life has given you great satisfaction?

8. We must establish a personal connection with each other. Connection before content. Without relatedness, no work can occur.- Peter Block

10. The Orientation: Let’s Go Steady Welcome to the Team! • Mission and vision of your organization • Mission moment • video, recipient of your mission, share story • How volunteers contribute to the success of your organization • Tour of facility • Generate excitement and enthusiasm • Empower volunteers to become advocates of your mission • Recognize and show gratitude for their commitment

11. Additional Orientation/Training • Other topics (consider online modules and individualized training) • History of organization • Introduction of key staff and board • Organization’s core values • Rules/Policies • Recognition • Volunteer benefits • Communiciations • Confidentiality • Cultural sensitivity • Supervision • Hands-on training

13. The Handbook: Establish trust in your relationship • Key foundational risk management strategy • Protect volunteers, client and agency by providing guidelines for acceptable conduct • Resource for volunteers for questions about policies and procedures • Not a training manual; consider separate document • Helps deepen level of engagement; helps volunteers discern the following questions: • Does this organization have the capacity to make a difference in the world? • Can I make a difference here? • Will I fit in? From: Tobi Johnson & Associates

14. What should you include? • Organizational Overview • Professionalism and Ethics • The Role of Volunteers • Workplace Safety  • Service Standards • Supervision & Support • Training Program • Supervision & Support • Volunteer Separation and Dismissal • Required Reporting • Photos of other volunteers at work From: Tobi Johnson & Associates

15. Give of your time and your energy to volunteers, they’ll give it back ten-fold = Engagement!