Volunteer Engagement Training Series

The old model of volunteer management was (and is) relatively unbalanced. In a quest to achieve our mission, we often focus heavily and primarily on the needs of the organization, with the needs of the volunteer coming later and, in many cases, the needs of the community being considered last and least. Many of the tools and best practices we’ll discuss throughout this training are rooted in this old model, and we teach them because, when framed appropriately, they are tools for efficiency in creating infrastructure for effectively stewarding volunteers. But the needs of the organization are not the only needs to consider and accommodate (with balance) when engaging volunteers. This course will introduce you to the SEE Framework – Supportive Environments for Effectiveness – and will be applied to the strategies, tools, and templates discussed during each session.

Each module in this course (developed by Points of Light, facilitated by Volunteer Houston) will empower volunteer managers and coordinators – both formal and informal – to return to their organization and to their team with ready-to-use tools, best practices, and innovative ideas that, when fully adopted, will boost volunteer engagement in a way that naturally fosters long-term volunteers.

ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS. REGISTER EARLY TO SAVE YOUR SEAT!

DISCOUNTS

• VH Star Agencies get a 10% discount on all registrations. Check your emails for discount code or send us an email at [email protected].
• Register for all 6 modules by Jan 31 get $20 off. Use promo code: fullcourse

MODULE 1: Establishing the Framework | Tues Feb 14 @ 1-4 pm, in person

• Describe volunteerism and its role in civic life today.
• Apply a volunteer-centered framework to volunteer engagement.
• Identify elements of volunteer engagement.
• Explore barriers to and motivators for volunteer engagement.

MODULE 2: Planning for Volunteer Engagement | Wed Feb 15 @ 2-4 pm, virtual

Start planning for how and where volunteers fit in our organizations:

• Describe the many steps of volunteer engagement.
• Learn how to conduct a Volunteer Engagement Assessment.
• Consider risk when deciding how to engage volunteers.
• Identify resources and support needed to effectively engage volunteers.

MODULE 3: Opportunities & Outreach | Thur Feb 16 @ 2-4 pm, virtual

Acquire tools to get the volunteers you need in the door:

• Examine trends in volunteerism and how they might inform opportunities and outreach.
• Develop position descriptions with a Volunteer Experience Lens.
• Explore targeted recruitment concepts and consider potential audiences.
• Develop an Outreach Strategy.

MODULE 4: Intake & Onboarding | Tues Feb 21 @ 2-4 pm, virtual

Create systems to screen, place, orient and train volunteers:

• Define techniques for screening, interviewing and matching volunteers with positions.
• Describe the difference between and importance of orienting and training volunteers and staff.
• Design effective volunteer orientation.
• Assess training needs and design training to equip volunteers and staff.

MODULE 5: Supervision & Support | Wed Feb 22 @ 2-4 pm, virtual

Provide tools and strategies to ensure volunteers feel supported, effective and appreciated:

• Articulate the benefits of supporting and supervising volunteers.
• Design and implement strategies for volunteer supervision and support.
• Explore causes of and options for addressing volunteer performance problems.
• Identify effective ways to reward and recognize volunteers.

MODULE 6: Evaluation | Thur Feb 23 @ 1-3 pm, in person

Examine strategies for figuring out what is and isn’t working:

• Build a foundation for evaluating volunteer engagement.
• Recognize the difference between program evaluation and stakeholder evaluation.
• Explore impact statements, mutual feedback and stakeholder satisfaction surveys to improve outcomes for volunteers, staff and the organization as a whole.