Managing Volunteers in a Challenging Environment

Name: Managing Volunteers in a Challenging Environment
Rating: 4.1 (42 reviews)

The complete step by step guide to a great volunteer program, even when you work in a challenging or difficult place.

Created byKaren Young

Last updated 10/2015

English

What you'll learn

Recruit volunteers that are a good "fit" for the organization
Work with volunteers to manage expectations of volunteers, and of staff
Create systems and policies that promote harmonious working relationships

Course content

3 sections • 14 lectures • 28m total length

Introduction and Objectives: Managing Volunteers in a Challenging Environment.1:26
This is an overview of the course "Managing Volunteers in a Challenging Environment". I outline our journey over the next few lessons as we define and navigate some of the challenges that some nonprofits face in working with volunteers.
Meet your instructor, Karen Young.1:00
Defining a Challenging Environment2:48
Defining a challenging environment, from a Volunteer perspective, in order to manage the volunteer experience.

Challenges including boring tasks, or being left alone

Describing Volunteers2:28
What are Volunteers looking for when they volunteer with you? This will help you create a great volunteer program.
Volunteer Policy and Procedure Manual1:52
Managing Expectations3:09
Identify the expectations of Volunteers, especially as they are revealed in a more difficult reality that is hard to work with.

What are the expectations of staff?
Staff Orientation3:02
Staff Orientation SAMPLE3:21
This is a sample Orientation for staff, giving a positive message for working with volunteers.

Add your voiceover to personalize it.
Volunteer Expectations2:28
Manage Volunteer Expectations with job descriptions, and a detailed Volunteer Application.
Volunteer Application Sample2:00
Sample Volunteer Application Form.

Orientation3:02
Three styles of Orientation, why, and when to use them, with examples. Don't forget Training.
Orientation Handout
Orientation Handout Sample1:00
Review and Recognition of Volunteers3:51
Evaluate Volunteers, and the staff that work with them, and improve the volunteer program.

Meeting with exiting volunteers. And what to do if you have to let a volunteer go.
Recognize and thank Volunteers in some of these ways.
In brief - Summary0:33
A brief summary of what we've learned.

Requirements

What some of the challenges are that are faced by volunteers or by staff in a non-profit

Description

Learn the fundamentals of creating and managing a Volunteer Program, with a specific focus on workplaces and environments that are difficult to retain volunteers, for various reasons.

Explore the various reasons that make a Volunteer Program challenging, and learn some specific steps, and systems, that you can take to attract and keep great volunteers.

This course is a series of videos that acan be covered in less than an hour. In addition there are dowloadable resources that will help your Volunteer Program succeed.

Who this course is for:

Those who are considering to start or enhance their volunteer program.
Those who work in a situation that may be difficult for volunteers, for various reasons

Managing Volunteers in a Challenging Environment

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to Volunteers in a Challenging Environment3 lectures • 5min

Defining Expectations7 lectures • 18min

Solutions4 lectures • 8min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: