Developing Volunteer Capacity in Communities

1. Developing Volunteer Capacity in Communities Progress Report 2002 - 2003

2. Background History • In 2002, VON Canada partnered with the Office of Learning and Technology (OLT) in order to strengthen our volunteer capacity through the use of technology-enhanced learning opportunities • OLT agreed to provide funding to help implement online interactive learning modules and free basic computer training that would allow volunteers to provide clients with a higher degree of support

3. Objectives of the Project • The objectives of the Project were to provide volunteers with access to: • Information and Training in the use of new Technologies; and • Knowledge to Enhance Volunteer Activities

4. Goals of the Project • Starting in April of 2002, VON set out to achieve the following goals: • Conduct an Inventory of Current Educational Programs and upgrade where necessary; • Upgrade VON web site; • Convert Existing Learning Opportunities to an Online Format; and • Develop a “Volunteers Training Volunteers” Program for free Internet training

5. Benefits of the Project • The potential benefits of the Project for the volunteers include: • The development of skills necessary to access relevant and timely information on using technology to improve their ‘performance’ in their activities; • The development of knowledge and skills that will increase their ‘marketability’ in the workforce; and • The ability to access and utilize Best Practices in providing governance support, care support, the ability to network with each other, and finding answers to their challenges

6. Benefits of the Project (2) • The potential benefits of the Project for other sources include: • Client users of VON’s services will benefit by receiving a higher quality of support; • Communities will benefit from the overall ‘capacity’ development of the volunteers; and • Other organizations can benchmark VON’s model to implement similar arrangements

7. Progress to date • Conduct an Inventory of Current Educational Programs • An inventory of current educational programs was developed and shared with the 50+ branches so they can compare and identify possible sources of volunteer education activities • Although the branches were made aware of the availability of the inventory, fewer than half the branches responded to the request to contribute to the inventory

8. Progress to date (2) • Upgrade VON web site • The VON website was upgraded so that it was capable of supporting the delivery of the programs • Convert Existing Learning Opportunities to an Online Format • Content for the four educational programs were converted to an online format. The programs are Volunteer Orientation, Board Leadership, Meals on Wheels and Volunteer Visiting

9. Progress to date (3) • Develop a “Volunteers Training Volunteers” Program for free Internet training • A curriculum was developed, covering off the following material: • What is the Internet and What Can You Do There; • Discovering Web Browsers; • Search Engine Techniques; • Email Basics; • File Formats and Downloading; and • How to Get Connected

10. Progress to date (4) • Develop a “Volunteers Training Volunteers” Program for free Internet training • As of November 26th, seven (7) Train the Trainers sessions have been held, training 51 volunteers to act as Trainers for future sessions • These trainers have gone on to train 48 volunteers in Brockville, London, St. Thomas, Mississauga and Halifax

11. Progress to date (5) • For the Project, we have targeted a minimum of ten (10) Train the Trainer sessions and thirty (30) Train the Trainee sessions. This would equate to a minimum of 100 trainers and 300 volunteers trained

12. Challenges • The majority of training has been conducted in a relatively small number of branches • Several branches have not grasped the potential of the project and have outright rejected the project • Other branches have misunderstood their role in the project, assuming that they would have to take on a large role in coordination and execution

13. Challenges (2) • Some branches have experienced difficulty in finding volunteer trainers. One branch expanded their search to include college, university and high school students and volunteers from other organizations, but with limited success • Other branches have had success in enlisting volunteer trainers only to have marginal success in enticing volunteers to take the training

14. Next Steps • We will continue to market the project heavily in 2004, and will seek to broaden the scope of the project to meet our objectives • Training sessions for both Volunteer Trainers and Volunteers will continue on throughout 2004 and into 2005 to meet our goals • We would like to set up a meeting in January with Volunteer Managers to try to brainstorm for new ideas

15. Testimonials and Success Stories • From a Trainer participating in a session in the St. Thomas office of the Middlesex-Elgin branch: • The workshop yesterday at Central United went very well. I think a follow-up workshop would go over well also. There were various cries of 'that's it' when the workshop ended yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed helping with the workshop and would be overjoyed to be asked again if you end up scheduling another

16. Testimonials and Success Stories (2) • In the evaluation forms filled out by the volunteers, the workshops have consistently scored excellent or good responses to the questions posed to the new trainees • In several branches the project has expanded beyond its original parameters and fostered cooperation between VON and other non-profit organizations