VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

1. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT Friends of Parks and Recreation April 28, 2012 Presenter: Sandra Miller, Consultant/Trainer saltzmiller@gmail.com

2. Connect with us on facebook Volunteer Centers of Michigan Provides resources to volunteer centers across the state in their efforts to address key community issues. www.mivolunteers.org www.mnaonline.org

3. Goals • Provide resources • Facilitate discussion & sharing • Identify best practices specific to volunteer recruitment and retention

4. ONLINE RESOURCES VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

5. 1. Go to Resources Tab Volunteer Centers of Michigan.mivolunteers.org

6. Upcoming Training, Available Presentations

7. Grants & Other Resources

8. Others RESOURCES Volunteer Management.doc

9. Getting and Keeping Volunteers Key Points

10. Make & Look for connections • Mission & Impact • How will what they’re doing make a difference? • Make it personal • Introductions • Small groups w/leader • Opportunities for interaction • Communicate • Before, during, after

11. DISCUSSION Whyshould I volunteer with your organization? • CONSIDER • What’s your organization’s mission? • What is the role volunteers play? • What impact, changes will occur as a result of the work they’re doing?

12. Demonstrates the value of the program Provides structure and focus for activities Used in outreach activities—letterhead, recruitment, etc. The Case Statement Example Those who care for seriously ill children often suffer from the fall out--divorce, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression. Volunteers who serve with our organization help strengthen and extend our ability to support and strengthen families with children suffering from a variety of illnesses and injuries.

13. Examples. . . The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park is a non-profit organization that works in conjunction with Hartwick Pines State Park to promote and support education and use of Hartwick Pines State Park.  The Friends group is made up of volunteers from across Michigan as well as the nation who work together for this common goal.  The Friends are continually involved in promoting the exhibits and activities that visitors to the park enjoy every day as well as public demonstrations and other special events. The Volunteer Program strives to increase the effectiveness and improve the quality of opportunities for visitors through guided nature walks, tram service to the beach, school group tours, and resource management projects. The Volunteer Program provides a forum for learning and community involvement. (Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Florida)

14. Communicate—Develop A Strategy • How do you recruit? • Respond to applications • Provide detailed information about volunteer opportunities • Provide • Orientation • Training • Provide time for reflection/feedback • Follow Up • Thank-you’s • Future Opportunities

15. Consider Volunteer Motivations Consider what the volunteer is looking for • Why do people volunteer? • What are the benefits to the volunteer? • What are the barriers?

16. The New Volunteer

17. Create appealing opportunities. . . Consider: • Project focused • Time Limited • Skill-based • Flexible • Opportunities for leadership • Virtual • Appealing to different groups • Families • Youth • Young professionals, Retirees, Companies, etc.

18. Example--Time & Project SpecificSkill Based

20. DISCUSSION—Offer New Opportunities What groups do your organization’s current volunteer opportunities generally appeal to? What other groups or types of individuals might be targeted for recruitment? What will appeal to these groups? How might current opportunities be revised or new ones created?

21. Collaborate • Build on connections to mission & purpose • Targeted volunteer pool • Shared & new resources • Increased funding opportunities—grants & networks • Increased opportunities for publicity • Public awareness

22. Example—Shared interest, PR opportunitiesamericanhiking.org

23. Example— Target Groups--Consider Current Trends & ResourcesYouth & Families Generationon.org www.scholastic.com/cliffordbebig/content Mnaonline.org

24. Example—ResourcesVeterans Missioncontinues.org

25. Build On--Single Days of Service Holidays & Community Events National Days of Service Global Youth Service Day National Day of Remembrance & Service (9/11) Make A Difference Day Martin Luther King Day • Earth Day • Independence Day • Memorial day • Local Festivals & Celebrations

26. Tap Available Tools 911day.org

27. Community Connections Churches Corporations Service Organizations Universities Classrooms • Volunteer Fairs • Informational Booths • Speaking Opportunities • Volunteer Recruitment • Announcements • Articles—newsletters, websites • Sponsored Events

28. Your Volunteer Center Recruitment Training Sponsored Events Team Leaders Resources & Information

29. Questions, Comments,Share Examples. . .

30. 5 minute break!

31. Create An Online Presence

32. New Opportunities = New Volunteers

33. Make it easy to volunteer

34. Online Recruiting Resources www.craigslist.org www.facebook.com www.handsonnetwork.org Blogs • www.serve.gov • www.idealist.org • www.youTube.com • www.volunteermatch.org • Widgets

35. HandsOn Connect

36. National Promotions www.serve.gov

37. DISCUSSION— How does your organization currently connect with volunteers? What is at least one new connection or collaboration that your organization might benefit from?

38. Practice Good Volunteer Management The organization’s reputation is your most important recruitment tool. Individuals want to work with organizations that are efficient and use their time well.

39. Volunteer Management Elements Planning

40. June Webinar-- Volunteer Management Registration Open in May Mivolunteers.org

41. THE ONE DAY EVENT AS A RECRUITMENT TOOL

42. PURPOSE • Make the connection • Implement collaborations • Scout for enthusiastic partners • Create opportunities for success • Demonstrate Impact • Build & promote your organization’s successes • Make the “ask”

43. THE EVENT—grow your program

44. Start with the position description • What’s the connection to your case statement? • What are the potential target groups? • Who’s interests, needs and connections are a likely match? • What will create an appeal? • Clearly identify expectations

45. Example Sample Position Description.docx Example—Opportunity Posting

46. Purpose Volunteer Position Descriptions • Individuals “self screen” • Clear expectations • Basis for recruitment • “Informed Risk”

47. RECRUITMENT

48. THE DAY OF

49. The Orientation

50. PAUSE-- • What would your organization include in a short orientation at the start of a project? • How might the “case statement” be used?