Volunteers
A nonprofit organization cannot succeed without a strong core of volunteers. Learn how to find them and develop them into your most valuable supporters.
The Right Volunteer in the Right Job
Motivation is not something you do to someone. Motivation comes from within, and we have to understand what people like to do and don't like to do in order to match them to the right jobs.
Motivation is not something you do to someone. Motivation comes from within, and we have to understand what people like to do and don't like to do in order to match them to the right jobs.
Serve on a Nonprofit Board
Serving on the board of a nonprofit is not something to be taken lightly. Board members need to be prepared to pay attention and willing to make hard decisions. But what should someone who is approached to serve on a nonprofit board think about? What should he/she look for before making a decision that will affect them in terms of money, time, and perhaps even reputation?
Serving on the board of a nonprofit is not something to be taken lightly. Board members need to be prepared to pay attention and willing to make hard decisions. But what should someone who is approached to serve on a nonprofit board think about? What should he/she look for before making a decision that will affect them in terms of money, time, and perhaps even reputation?
Recruit Volunteers
You may be very anxious to get started on recruiting volunteers for your organization, but some preliminary work needs to be done first.
You may be very anxious to get started on recruiting volunteers for your organization, but some preliminary work needs to be done first.
What Is a Volunteer Application Form?
Nonprofit organizations really do need to be careful about who is volunteering for them. An adequate volunteer application form is essential.
Nonprofit organizations really do need to be careful about who is volunteering for them. An adequate volunteer application form is essential.
Volunteer Position Job Description - Sample
A written job description is as necessary for volunteers as it is for paid positions.
A written job description is as necessary for volunteers as it is for paid positions.
Are Volunteers Helping You Get Through the Recession?
Ordinarily, volunteers are essential to nonprofits. During a recession they may be even more so, helping us get work done that we otherwise simply could not afford to do.
Ordinarily, volunteers are essential to nonprofits. During a recession they may be even more so, helping us get work done that we otherwise simply could not afford to do.
Should Nonprofits Save Money by Cutting Back on Staff and Using Volunteers?
It is very tempting in a recession to change formerly staff-held jobs into volunteer ones. But is it right? Does it work? What are the pitfalls or the benefits?
It is very tempting in a recession to change formerly staff-held jobs into volunteer ones. But is it right? Does it work? What are the pitfalls or the benefits?
My Favorite Volunteer Experience - The Volunteer Experience I…
My favorite volunteer experience was when I...
My favorite volunteer experience was when I...
Pro Bono and Skilled Volunteers Survey Raises Important Issues
Deloitte encourages nonprofits to think of this kind of skilled help from corporations as a form of currency, helping to fill the financial gap in the face of lower corporate giving and the increased demand for nonprofit services.
Deloitte encourages nonprofits to think of this kind of skilled help from corporations as a form of currency, helping to fill the financial gap in the face of lower corporate giving and the increased demand for nonprofit services.
Micro-Volunteering via Mobile Phones
The micro-volunteering movement is being led by an organization called The Extraordinaries.
The micro-volunteering movement is being led by an organization called The Extraordinaries.
Voluntourism vs Philanthropic Travel
With travel and volunteerism going hand in hand in recent years, it is understandable if there is confusion among terms.
With travel and volunteerism going hand in hand in recent years, it is understandable if there is confusion among terms.
Making Volunteerism Work
With the recent passage of the National Service Act and the publicity that volunteer service has received lately, Americans are logging onto volunteer matching services, and nonprofits are scrambling to beef up their volunteer programs.
America may soon be called volunteer central as the government pours money into b…
Volunteer Opportunities Online
It has never been easier to find your perfect volunteer opportunity. Just let your fingers do the searching at your computer keyboard, and you're bound to come up with some great ideas and contacts.
It has never been easier to find your perfect volunteer opportunity. Just let your fingers do the searching at your computer keyboard, and you're bound to come up with some great ideas and contacts.
How to Become a Good Volunteer
There is a revived spirit of volunteerism in the U.S., inspired by the new president and his call for service. Of course, volunteers have always been working hard, but now more people are feeling that it is time for them to get involved with problems that they care about. Whether you have one hour a week or one day a year to give, here a…
How to Recognize All Volunteers
Here is a tip for making your volunteer recognition event something that people look forward to...not dread.
Here is a tip for making your volunteer recognition event something that people look forward to...not dread.
Placing the Right Volunteer in the Right Job
One chapter of the book details Wilson's theories about how to place the right people in the right jobs so they will be fully motivated to fulfill your goals.
One chapter of the book details Wilson's theories about how to place the right people in the right jobs so they will be fully motivated to fulfill your goals.
What Do Your Volunteers Want?
It is unfortunate that volunteerism has retreated recently. Perhaps the tough economy has distracted potential volunteers, or the rise in gas prices has made it cost prohibitive to get to volunteer jobs.
Whatever the reason, now is a good time to take a look at your volunteer program and spiff it up so that your volunteers will want to come and stay.
Volunteers are not that hard to ple…
How to Keep Boomer Volunteers Coming Back
Baby Boomers are too valuable to pass up. But recruiting them as volunteers and retaining them may be a bit more complicated than we at first thought. It is clear, however, that smart analysis and strategic implementation will put your nonprofit ahead in the competition for boomer volunteers.
Baby Boomers are too valuable to pass up. But recruiting them as volunteers and retaining them may be a bit more complicated than we at first thought. It is clear, however, that smart analysis and strategic implementation will put your nonprofit ahead in the competition for boomer volunteers.
Should You Pay to Volunteer Abroad?
Many of us, when we first think about volunteering, think that it should be enough that we give our time. Why should we pay for the privilege of volunteering? The truth is that it is commonplace to pay your own expenses when you volunteer abroad. Those expenses include airfare, meals, and lodging.
Many of us, when we first think about volunteering, think that it should be enough that we give our time. Why should we pay for the privilege of volunteering? The truth is that it is commonplace to pay your own expenses when you volunteer abroad. Those expenses include airfare, meals, and lodging.
Serve on a Nonprofit Board
Serving on the board of a nonprofit is not something to be taken lightly. Board members need to be prepared to pay attention and willing to make hard decisions. But what should someone who is approached to serve on a nonprofit board think about? What should he/she look for before making a decision that will affect them in terms of money, time, and perhaps even reputation?
Serving on the board of a nonprofit is not something to be taken lightly. Board members need to be prepared to pay attention and willing to make hard decisions. But what should someone who is approached to serve on a nonprofit board think about? What should he/she look for before making a decision that will affect them in terms of money, time, and perhaps even reputation?
Recruiting Volunteers - Three Approaches
There are numerous methods you can use to recruit volunteers. However, not all of them will be appropriate for your organization or your specific needs.
There are numerous methods you can use to recruit volunteers. However, not all of them will be appropriate for your organization or your specific needs.
Recruit Volunteers
You may be very anxious to get started on recruiting volunteers for your organization, but some preliminary work needs to be done first.
You may be very anxious to get started on recruiting volunteers for your organization, but some preliminary work needs to be done first.
How to Write a Volunteer Position Description
An incredibly useful tool, the volunteer position description creates the basis for your volunteer recruitment efforts. It explains the assignment, skills, abilities and interests necessary to perform the volunteer task successfully. Position descriptions can and should be written for both individuals and volunteer committees.
An incredibly useful tool, the volunteer position description creates the basis for your volunteer recruitment efforts. It explains the assignment, skills, abilities and interests necessary to perform the volunteer task successfully. Position descriptions can and should be written for both individuals and volunteer committees.
Down-to-Earth Guide to Supervising Volunteers - A Review
This short book is packed with suggestions and real life experience. It begins with a discussion of "What is Supervision?" thus swinging attention away from the volunteer to a consideration of what you, the supervisor, should understand about supervising volunteers.
This short book is packed with suggestions and real life experience. It begins with a discussion of "What is Supervision?" thus swinging attention away from the volunteer to a consideration of what you, the supervisor, should understand about supervising volunteers.
Tips for Setting Up a Family Volunteer Program
Family Volunteer programs are more than a trend these days. Busy families welcome the opportunity to do something together. Setting up a family volunteer program could be a great plus for your organization.
Family Volunteer programs are more than a trend these days. Busy families welcome the opportunity to do something together. Setting up a family volunteer program could be a great plus for your organization.
Top Facts About Youth Volunteers
Young people actually volunteer at a much greater rate than adults. How can you take advantage of this youthful drive to do good?
Young people actually volunteer at a much greater rate than adults. How can you take advantage of this youthful drive to do good?
Ways to Recruit and Engage Youth Volunteers
Recruiting youth volunteers requires the ability to put yourself in their shoes. Here are some tips for recruiting and engaging them.
Recruiting youth volunteers requires the ability to put yourself in their shoes. Here are some tips for recruiting and engaging them.
Baby Boomers Targeted as Volunteers
Baby Boomers are 77 million strong and present a tremendous opportunity for social engagement. A major campaign is being waged to recruit them. Learn facts about boomers and read tips on how to recruit them as volunteers.
Baby Boomers are 77 million strong and present a tremendous opportunity for social engagement. A major campaign is being waged to recruit them. Learn facts about boomers and read tips on how to recruit them as volunteers.
Recruiting and Working With Baby Boomer Volunteers
Baby boomers are not their parents and working with them as volunteers will be different. Here are some tips on recruiting and managing them.
Baby boomers are not their parents and working with them as volunteers will be different. Here are some tips on recruiting and managing them.
Can I Count My Volunteers' Hours as an In-Kind Contribution?
I know that in-kind donations can be included in the P&L as long as they are off-set as both income and expense. But can the same be done for volunteer hours?
I know that in-kind donations can be included in the P&L as long as they are off-set as both income and expense. But can the same be done for volunteer hours?
Change the World With a Youth Media Agency
How do you use young volunteers? One nonprofit involves them in a youth media agency to fill the community’s need for social marketing while providing the teenagers with a positive experience that builds career and personal skills.
How do you use young volunteers? One nonprofit involves them in a youth media agency to fill the community’s need for social marketing while providing the teenagers with a positive experience that builds career and personal skills.
How to Be a Flexible Volunteer for the Planet
Do you frequently have 15 minutes or so to spare? Do you sometimes have a free hour or two on the weekends? Would you like to make a positive impact on the environment? Then get ready to be a flexible volunteer for the planet.
Do you frequently have 15 minutes or so to spare? Do you sometimes have a free hour or two on the weekends? Would you like to make a positive impact on the environment? Then get ready to be a flexible volunteer for the planet.
New Report Finds Increase in Volunteerism Among Americans
Despite the busy lifestyles of most Americans, they are volunteering at a greater rate than just a few years ago. That is good news for nonprofit organizations who need the people-power.
Despite the busy lifestyles of most Americans, they are volunteering at a greater rate than just a few years ago. That is good news for nonprofit organizations who need the people-power.
Volunteering Enhances Women's Career Development
Women learn many business skills as volunteers that translate into career success.
Women learn many business skills as volunteers that translate into career success.
Energize Inc.
Energize Inc. is an online source of information for volunteer managers. The site is bright and full of ideas, articles, essays by experts, and resources.
Energize Inc. is an online source of information for volunteer managers. The site is bright and full of ideas, articles, essays by experts, and resources.
CharityChannel.com
CharityChannel.com requires a subscription (moderately priced) but provides some excellent resources. There are discussion lists, email newsletters, nonprofit news, book reviews, and excellent articles by the members and users of CharityChannel.com. Volunteer management is one of the major categories for this excellent online resource.
CharityChannel.com requires a subscription (moderately priced) but provides some excellent resources. There are discussion lists, email newsletters, nonprofit news, book reviews, and excellent articles by the members and users of CharityChannel.com. Volunteer management is one of the major categories for this excellent online resource.
ServiceLeader.org
ServiceLeader.org provides resources for managers of volunteers. Best practices, nuts-and-bolts of implementing a volunteer program, professional development, and more.
ServiceLeader.org provides resources for managers of volunteers. Best practices, nuts-and-bolts of implementing a volunteer program, professional development, and more.