In this section you will find resources for and about volunteers (including how to get them, how to keep them, how to support them and how to show them you love them; also where to volunteer, hints for volunteers). 

 

feature article:
 

Click here for some ideas on how to appreciate and recognize your volunteers.

Click here for a list of 139 ways to say thank you.

Click here for all you need to know to build a volunteer program.

 
more articles:
  • In addition to marketing and recruiting with online technologies and tools, the Web offers a suite of free tools to help volunteers. Once you realize your needs, see which tools will help you the most. Check 'em out.

  • It's Your agency can be matched with volunteers who are being encouraged to serve their communities this summer, by President and Michele Obama. Click here, look on the right where it says Register Your Project and go to it!

  • It's important to know how to treat summer interns. Are they volunteers or employees? This article answers several questions you may have about this issue. If you need a great resource on recruiting and keeping volunteers this article gives you that and links to lots of other volunteer information.

  • This is one of those pick-me-upper articles for fundraisers when you need a boost. You know what it takes, so get out there and go for the yeses!

  • Could you use free help from an expert accountant? Web designer? Whose help do you need? These folks match volunteer experts in areas, literally from A to W, to non-profits who need them. It's worth checking them out to see if they can take some of the burden out of your budget and off your shoulders. And these folks tell you now is the time to find such help and how to find them.

  • IF YOU’RE GOING TO KISS BUTT, LET IT BE A VOLUNTEER’S
    Volunteer Recognition

    We all know the importance of volunteers and how we couldn’t live without them.  There’s always going to be one of those people who mean well but make you crazy.  Take it in stride.

    If you’re one of those people who believe that “if you want it done right, do it yourself,”
    breathe in the good air; breathe out the bad air and let it go!  Your agency should not be a one-person show.   There are so many amazing volunteers out there.  Let them help.  And when they do, let them know how much you appreciate them. 
    Volunteers give up their personal time to assist you, so it is important to thank them for choosing to do so and to recognize them for their efforts. You can acknowledge their specific contributions when you thank them personally, or with a handwritten note or email.  They can also be publicly recognized, as appropriate, at a special event in front of their peers.
    For ongoing and informal ways to say thank you, check this out.

     

  • Obama called for “new era of responsibility.”  He has inspired millions of Americans – young and old – to serve to help “remake the country.” You need to use this time and this momentum to recruit volunteers for your organization.  Quote his words.  Reach out. Don’t miss this opportunity.  Get inspired reading this article.
    If you are not already registered at volunteermatch.org, we encourage you to do so.
    Not only can you list your needs for volunteers and have people respond who may never have heard about you before, but they’ve just connected with Google who created Google Earth. You can check out a video demonstration here. Anybody can click onto the earth to find volunteer opportunities, but they won’t find your agency unless you are registered with volunteermatch.org.  It’s free.  We promise. 
  • Volunteer Screening

    Holey Mackinoley!  According to a recent report from The Atlantic Journal Constitution, many nonprofits lack volunteer screening.  And ChoicePoint, which provides background-screening services for nonprofits, says at least 144 people with criminal backgrounds seek nonprofit employment or volunteer work daily. You’d better read this article and then find your agency someone who will do pro bono background checks for you.

  • Baby Boomer Volunteers - How to Keep Them
  • Baby Boomer Volunteers - What You Need to Know
  • Young Volunteers - How to Recruit Them
quick links:

 

 

 

quick links:

Here is a list of blogs on volunteer leadership

Orientation and training are different

Student volunteers can be as much a curse as a blessing

Making skills based volunteering work.

Can volunteers be called on to fill the gap when budgets and staff have to be cut?

You can list your volunteer events on this calendar or find trainings, conferences, etc. focused on volunteerism.

Advice for reaching out to male volunteers.

Even if the best laid plans go awry, keep your sense of humor.

Don't waste volunteer's time.

Volunteers can cause friction with employees.

Innovative ways to cut hassels and make volunteering appealing

Here is what should be included in a volunteer application form, with a sample included.

What to do when volunteer leaders overstep the bounds of their authority.

Creating the perfect recipe for volunteer success.

Should non-profits replace staff with volunteers to save money? Find out here.

Are you ready for the onslaught of volunteers because of the United We Serve program?

How to overcome barriers in recruiting more volunteers to your agency.

Mobile phone volunteers

Here's a volunteer retention tip sheet.

Tips on treating your volunteers right.

Read it from the volunteer's point of view and learn!

Before you recruit volunteers, make sure your agency is ready for them.

Recruiting Volunteers - Three Approaches

Volunteer management tips re: surveys

Here is 14 steps to developing a top notch volunteer program. This is quite comprehensive and may be the only thing you need to get it together!

How to perform background checks

Screening for background checks

Safety Net's Manual on Screening Mentors, includes application form

Performing background checks on potential mentors

Criteria for mentor selection

You need to be up to date on laws associated with "upaid" interns.

Volunteer policies to "borrow from."

More Volunteer policies to "borrow from."

Additional Volunteer policies to "borrow from."

Organizing your volunteer program for the fall.

Recruiting minority volunteers - a discussion.

Go Boomers! The results of a recent survey show that Boomers will continue to volunteer & why they don't if they don't.

How to start an internship program.

Here’s a really helpful article on how to recruit volunteers in hard times.

10 ways to make volunteers happy!

Have a family volunteering day at your org. Here's how to do it.

Providing volunteers a start and end date will make it seem like retention isn't such a problem.

Study shows that people can learn new skills if they volunteer.

Volunteering - what's in it for me?

Resources for volunteer managers

How to fire a volunteer.

Volunteer Position Description.

Sources to post volunteer positions.

Coordinating your volunteer's time.

How to develop a volunteer program.

Volunteer Classifieds.

Skill-based volunteers?