FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS*
Volunteer Coordinator
FUNCTION
Under the supervision of the Director of Education, the Volunteer Coordinator (VC) manages all aspects of the volunteer program for Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens (The Friends). The VC recruits, interviews, places, trains, supervises, and evaluates individual and group volunteers for numerous activities of
The Friends and Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG). Although not always directly responsible for supervision once volunteers are placed, the VC remains an important liaison between The Friends and all volunteers, including plant societies, on an as-needed basis.
This position communicates numerous times daily, via phone, email, and face-to-face, with groups and individuals. At times, the VC may delegate certain tasks to volunteer assistants under his/her direction, but she/he will maintain responsibility for the effective and timely completion of those delegated tasks.
All Friends employees may be required to perform other duties not specifically described herein.
CORE PERFORMANCE ELEMENTS
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Actively recruits and directly solicits prospective volunteers. Uses various methods to increase public awareness of The Friends’ volunteer program. These methods include but are not limited to regional media outlets of all types; on- and off-site presentations; phone calls, emails and letters; face-to-face conversations; and internal and external publications and correspondence.
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Determines interests, skills, knowledge and abilities of potential and existing volunteers through personal interviews and questionnaires.
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Successfully places volunteers for service in various activities as needed, requested and/or directed.
Activities include but are not limited to educational programs, fundraising events, plant sales, plant and garden maintenance, lobby flower arrangements, meetings, lunches, dinners, lectures, auctions, shows, retail sales, garden tours, bus trips, curatorial work, staff-directed projects, and other external and internal activities related to the operation of The Friends and BBG.
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Trains, or assists in training, volunteers for specific placements.
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On a case-by-case basis, supervises volunteers or turns over primary supervision to other staff or volunteers.
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Initiates post-event and -activity assessment, evaluation and appreciation of volunteer experience and performance through effective, timely and continuous communication with volunteers and other staff leading these events and activities.
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Develops, manages and maintains current and comprehensive database of existing and/or potential individual and group volunteers for The Friends, relative to their interests, skills, knowledge and abilities, and their levels and areas of past and on-going service.
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Tracks volunteer participation in the volunteer database, reporting as directed (at least once/month).
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Prepares professional communication materials including but not limited to letters, forms, requests, presentations, exhibits, newsletter articles (bi-monthly), web site content and various reports.
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Schedules and coordinates volunteer-related activities including but not limited to the Annual Volunteer
Luncheon and Awards Ceremony (December), annual Plant Society event (August) and other meetings, luncheons and training sessions.
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Attends and participates in staff, board and committee meetings as required, especially committee meetings for education activities and fund raising events.
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Actively promotes Friends membership to non-member volunteers.
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Professionally represents The Friends at meetings, functions and events as required.

WORKS CLOSELY WITH FRIENDS BOARD AND STAFF AS FOLLOWS:
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Assists The Friends Finance Committee, Executive Director and the Director of Finance with the annual preparation of The Friends budget.
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Works with Friends Board, Executive Director, committee and event chairs, and Friends and BBG staff to determine volunteer needs; coordinate placement, training and supervision; facilitate communication; and evaluate and appreciate volunteer service.
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Participates in various team goals with Friends and BBG staff as directed to strengthen organizational structure and improve the operations and activities of The Friends.
QUALIFICATIONS
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4-year Bachelor of Arts degree and three years volunteer management experience or equivalent, as determined by The Friends Board, required.
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Proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, electronic mail and internet research required. Experience with
Raisers’ Edge database and MS PowerPoint desirable.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Writing sample must be submitted with resumé. Proven ability to communicate and work effectively with the public, as demonstrated by public speaking experience, required.
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Ability and willingness to place cold calls regularly to solicit volunteers (via telephone), conduct faceto-face interviews, determine interests and skill areas, and assess performance, required.
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Ability to work selected weekends and evenings for events required.
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Highly organized work habits and skills required.
* Birmingham Botanical Society, Inc., dba Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens REV 8.2009