SKILLED VOLUNTEERS
Sandra Miller, VISTA Leader
WHAT COULD YOUR
ORGANIZATION DO. . .
With more time?
• Organize your database
• Post a weekly blog
• Put Opportunities and/or
Nonprofit Partners onto a
Google Map
• Write informational
articles for the newsletter
• Take pictures & post to an
online album.
• Film a video & Upload to
YouTube.
What Could Your Organization
DO?
With More Skills?
• Develop an effective marketing campaign
• Develop effective, attractive, marketing materials
including displays
• Develop & provide mentor training
• Translate outreach materials and forms
• Lead strategic planning
• Develop effective research and data collection tools
• Grant Write
Skilled Volunteers Wanted
Press Releases and Public Service Announcements Writer
Volunteer Opportunity Details:
• May not require in office presence, but should be willing to
meet periodically with staff or committee members to help
develop publicity pieces. Comfort with and access to email if
working from home. Distribution of announcements to
appropriate media outlets. Maintain, or coordinate with staff or
other volunteers to maintain, accurate data base of print, TV,
and radio contacts. Minimum 1 – 2 times per month.
• Knowledge and skill at writing media releases, experience
preferred.
This opportunity is sponsored by: Michigan Audubon Society
Wanted—Skilled Volunteer
Grant Writer
•
Volunteer Opportunity Details:
• The Lansing Latino Health Alliance is currently seeking a grant
writer to assist us in obtaining/securing available funding for our
organization.
• Volunteer candidate should have previous experience in grant
writing (preferably 3+ years) for nonprofit organizations, possess the
ability to take our mission, vision, and values to connect LLHA with
the proper grant opportunities, should be a very efficient,
dependable, and trustworthy individual.
Wanted—Skilled Volunteer
• Teen Open Art Studio Mentors Needed!
Volunteer Opportunity Details:
• TOS volunteers will mentor teenage participants in visual art
activities once a weekly throughout the school year. These
volunteers will encourage the teens to try different art media
available at Reach - poetry, printmaking, painting and photography.
The mentor will work with individuals or a small group of teens on a
particular art media, encouraging the teens to set and work toward
goals in building art making skills. Teen Studio takes place:
Thursdays from 3:00 to 6:00PM.
• We prefer for this opportunity individuals who are highly
qualified in art, specifically art education or studio art majors.
Definition:
Skilled or skill-based volunteering is the
practice of using work-related knowledge
and expertise in a volunteer opportunity.
In other words, skills normally used to
generate income are provided free of
charge to a nonprofit organization
GOALS
• Analyze how implementing a skilled
volunteer program can benefit nonprofit
organizations.
• Identify possible strategies to be used in
the development of skilled volunteer
projects or programs.
• Present samples, techniques, and tools
being used by other organizations.
Skilled Volunteers Are Searching
http://youngretired.ca/volunteering/Develop
ment/VolSectorDev.html
The New Volunteer
Quote—“Volunteering in many aspects is taking on
more than just the philanthropic action it was
once viewed as, and today many people are
looking at volunteering as a way of gaining
experience by using their own skills. . .Speaking
from experience, being given menial tasks and
little responsibility was the quickest way to send
me looking for a new organization. . .”
Alyson Woloshyn, Kitchener Parks and Recreation, Ontario, “Staff Resistance
and the Highly Skilled Volunteer” blog response,
Community Service As A Goal
Why Skill-Based?
• Large population of boomers and Gen Y’s.
• Culture of community engagement
• Nonprofit Needs
– “smart” volunteerism vs “more” volunteerism
• Use of layered volunteerism
– Volunteer Expectations
Opportunities Wanted
Delloitte/Points of Light Volunteer Impact Study:
Two out of five volunteers (40
percent) say they actively look
for opportunities to use their
workplace skills when they
volunteer
VITA & EITC Volunteer
Volunteer Muskegon
Organizational Need
Untapped Skills
• Nearly one-third (29
percent) of volunteers
believe their workplace
skills are what nonprofit
organizations need from
them most
• Only about one in five
volunteers (19 percent)
say they primarily apply
their workplace skills in
their volunteer
assignments.
There’s a disconnect
Reasons why volunteers aren’t
using their business skills
• 34% of nonprofits did not
inquire about their
workplace skills.
• 32% were not structured
to use their skills.
Nonprofits in need
• 20% reduction in job
growth (2008-2009)
• 20% position reduction
• 80% nonprofits citing
significant economic
stress
• 17% of families report
concerns over food (MI)
• 100% increase in
demand for winterwear
(NY)
Start With A Plan & Process
– Staff & Volunteers identify projects
– Recruitment
Positions Descriptions Developed before recruitment or in collaboration
with volunteer after interview/matching
– Interview/Matching
– Volunteers Assume Leadership for Project
– Supervision/Evaluation Process
Readiness
Skills
Needs
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.
EXAMPLES
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.
Southern Maine Agency On Aging
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Nonprofit Training—Skilled Volunteers
Managers Identify Needs
Needs Advertised (see flyer)
Volunteers Apply & Are Interviewed
Position Descriptions Modified
Outcomes Identified—Those identified below were not the original
Market Research-Program Improvement
Development of a new marketing strategy
Fund Development
Planned Giving Program
Development of a Manual
Funding Sources
Information and Advocacy
Identification and connections to resources
Public Speaking, Interagency Representation
Chicago Life Opportunities Initiative
Needs Assessment throughMapping
1. Meet with interested nonprofits
2. Identify needs
–
–
–
–
What could you do with more time?
What could you do with more skills?
What is needed to improve services?
What is needed to build capacity?
MAPPING EXAMPLE
Displays
NEED
EVENT PLANNING
• Graphic Arts
• Carpentry
• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Visual Arts
Programming
Staging
• Management
• Organizational Skills
• Knowledge of software-Publisher, etc.
• Sales
• Public Relations
• Communications
• Theater--Backstage & Acting
• Public Speaking
• Communications
• Management
• Visual Arts
• Music
• Presentation Skills
•Presentation Skills
•Curriculum Development
•Leadership Skills
•Board Experience
•Nonprofit Management
Experience
Board
Development
Volunteer
Orientation
Training
Need
Education/Training
Mentors
Youth Service
Leaders
Other
•Experience working with
Volunteers
•Human Resources
skills/experience
•Educational Background
•Curriculum Development
•Multi-media Experience
•On-line Educational Experience
•Knowledge of youth and child
development
•Specific related skill sets--Sports,
Crafts, Art, Leadership, etc.
•Previous work in education, social
services, youth leadership
•Event Planning
Troubleshooting
•Computer Skills
•Information Technology
Experience/Training
•Website Development
•Computer Repair
DATA BASE
Set up
Need
Technology
COMMUNICATION
Blogging
Newsletters
Twitter
Facebook
Other
•Experience with Quick Books,
other. . .
•Accounting
•Data Entry
•Knowledge of Web 2.0
•Experience with social media
•Writing Experience
•Knowledge of related software-Publisher, Word
•Experience working with the
press--TV, radio, etc.
REVERSE THE PROCESS—
Start with the volunteer application or interview
HR Staff Benefits
Analysis
Bank Manager
Customer
Service
Investments/
Savings
• Comparison
Studies—Nonprofit
Staffing
• Training
Fund Development
Organizational
Policies/Procedures
• Policies/Procedures—
Legacy Giving
• Accounting
Practices/Software
• Research—
Investment
opportunities
• Research-Endowments
THE IDEAL
OPPORTUNITY
•Time Limited
•Focused
•Flexible
hours/location
•Specific
Objective/Outcome
OTHER--POLL
Changing World. . .
“Volunteering is influenced by cultural shifts. . .The
way people work today is different from 20 years
ago. There is part-time, flex-time, job-share,
consultant as worker, intermittent,
telecommuting, and seasonal work, to name a
few. Those who experience flexibility in the
workplace expect flexibility in their volunteer
involvement”
(The Multi-Paradigm Model of Volunteering—A New Way to Identify and
Manage Volunteers”, Volunteer Leadership, Nancy Macduff, Fall 2006)
Add these “Buzz Words” to your
vocabulary
•
•
•
•
Episodic Volunteering (one time event)
Project Based Volunteer
Entrepreneurial Volunteer (Leadership)
Electronic Volunteering (Distance
Volunteering)
• Teaming
The New Volunteers’ Expectations
Flexibility
– Work Hours
– Work Environment
• Can be met through
– Project based assignments
– Home based/Telecommuting Projects
– Teaming (Job-Sharing)
The New Volunteers’ Expectations
Application and Development of Skills
Recognition of Skills
• ASK—What would you
like to do?
• Leadership Projects
• Include in staff
meetings
• Seek input and
feedback
Opportunities to Learn
• Staff trainings &
workshops
• Professional, State &
National Conferences
& Seminars
Writing Position Descriptions
•
•
•
•
•
Focus on skills, not “titles”
Time-limited
Allow for independence, self-direction
Connect to mission
Identify supervisor & process
– MOU, Specific Outcomes, etc.
• Stress benefits to volunteer
Sample Position Descriptions
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.
Volunteer Testimonial
Susan Lovell,
Vantage Point
“I benefit as much as
I hope the organization
does,” she enthuses. “I
get a fresh take
on life. I look at the world
from a whole different
perspective.”
Susan became involved with the
organization a decade ago.
“Colleen [Kelly], Vantage Point’s
Executive Director, came into
my workplace to speak about skilled
volunteering. I ended up on financial
sustainability committee. It was
As simple as that. . .In 2001 she
completely revamped Vantage
Points’ budget. . . (pg. 41)
A People Lens: 101 Ways to Move Your
Organization Forward, Vantage Point,
Volunteer Vancouver
Change is Necessary
Doing things the way you’ve
always done them will get
you the results you’ve
always got
Roadblocks
Organizational Culture
– Staff Resistance
• Costs in terms of time
• Loss of Control
– Lack of Planning
• Volunteers expect efficiency
– Expectations
• From a Management Model to an Engagement
Model
• Practice of hiring rather than engaging
Poll/Discussion
Break—10 min.
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.
Clearing the Hurdles
Lessons Learned In The Trenches
• Cost Effective
– RSVP Capacity Corps Ratio $ 6:1
• Most of the staff time is upfront in planning
stages
• Involve volunteers in the planning
• Need for a regular means of
communication
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
Openness to change—Most critical element
• New communication strategies
• Flexibility of programming, organization, &
timelines
• Supervision—Openness to feedback and
suggestions.
• Access to administration
Managing vs Engaging
Managing Volunteers (Old)
Engaging Volunteers (New)
• Top-down approach
• Lateral, parallel approach
• Support/Collaboration
• Equal Partnership
• Supervision
• Staff person as “boss”
– Leadership Opportunities
• Volunteer Active in
• Recognitions as big event
Program Development &
Evaluation
• One Volunteer/One
• Flexibility in Scheduling
Position/One schedule
– Teams/Committees, ShortTerm/Project Based
GETTING STARTED
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.
Start Small
• One Project
– Look for the “easy wins”
–Develop a draft plan
• Rationale—Benefits
• Outline Steps
• Identify Desirable Outcomes
–Look for sustainable projects
Meet with Senior Management
• Create a dialogue
• Ensure project has support and is a
priority
• Emphasize competitive advantage
• Emphasize learning possibilities
Identify Supervisors
•
•
•
•
Who has the need?
Who has the interest?
Recommendations—no more than 2-3
Should have solid management skills &
practices
Publicize Your Plan
Publicize early—before project
begins
–Elicit interest
• Partners
• Volunteers
Involve Staff & Long-term Volunteers
• Development of written project
descriptions
– Focus on tasks rather than titles
• Be clear about expectations and skills
needed
• Aim for flexible, open timelines
• Committee/Team, Age-Cohort Approach
• Allow for volunteer input
Begin Recruitment
• Identify Target Population
• Structure Market Strategies to population
– Venues, Strategies & Materials
– Involve Steering Committee
• Volunteers drawn to skills sets rather than
description of duties or titles
• Stress benefits to volunteer
• Be clear as to who the supervisor is
Interview
• Ask for volunteer’s ideas/input
• Consider adapting the position and
description
– Match skills to tasks
– Timelines
– Workplace
• Think in terms of goals and outcomes
Orientation & Training
• Orientation
– Organizational Mission & Goals
– Review of Project Plan & Goals
• Training
– Consider a MOU
• Timelines with expected tasks or outcomes
• Checkpoints
• Measurements of Success
– Review workplace expectations
Supervision
• Collaborative
• Review of established timelines
• Review checkpoints
– Weekly to start
• Review & refine plan
– What’s working
– What isn’t
• Talk with related staff
Track Outcomes
Not
Time On Project
•
•
•
•
Demonstrates value
Measures effects on wider community
Facilitates replication
Marketing tool.
Final Steps
• Recognize and publicize success
• Reward successful service
• Review/Reflect (Exit Interview, Group
Discussion)
– What made this successful?
– What were the problems? How might they be
avoided or overcome?
– What’s the next step?
Be certain to
Invite the volunteer
to continue service
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.
Additional Outcomes & Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
New volunteer recruitment
Increased satisfaction=Increased retention
Decrease in staff stress
Increased capacity
Improved programming
Coming Soon
PART II
Skilled Volunteers
Tools for Implementation
Please Complete Evaluation
Survey Now
All materials available at:
http://drop.io/hkpow8c
Volunteer Centers of Michigan is affiliated with Michigan Nonprofit Association and HandsOn
Network/Points of Light Institute and is supported by ConnectMichigan Alliance Endowment.