VOLUNTEER
DEVELOPMENT
E X PAN D I N G Y O U R O U T R E AC H
Martha A. Nall, Ed.D.
Extension Professor
University of KY
Cooperative Extension Service
What Is A Volunteer?
Definition:
An individual with varying
degrees of knowledge and
skill that goes to the
University of Tennessee and
plays for a losing basketball
team.
What Is A Volunteer – Really?
 Volunteers provide work, services,
expertise, etc. without expectations
of receiving financial
compensation.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers gain:
 Skill in working with people
 Ability to organize, make decisions &
solve problems
 Contacts
 More effective in their work
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers gain:
 Satisfaction from helping others
 Increased self-esteem
 Friendships formed
 New interests
 Confidence
 jobs
VOLUNTEERING IN THE U.S.*
 26.8% Americans volunteer*
(1.6 million increase over ‘08)
 63.4 million volunteers – Total Number of
volunteers*
 8.1 billion hours – Annual hours volunteered*
*www.national
service.gov
VOLUNTEERING IN THE U.S.
 $169 billion – Total dollar value of volunteer
time*
 $21.36 – Estimated hourly value of time**
 9.1 million - FTE's for volunteers
*www.national service.gov
**www.independentsector.org
VOLUNTEERING IN THE US – 2001*
 71% - Percentage of adults who volunteered
when asked
 29% - Percentage of adults who volunteered
who had not been asked
*Study
conducted by Independent Sector
WHERE AMERICANS VOLUNTEER
GEMS
A VOLUNTEER
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
D E V E L O P E D B Y K E N C U L P, I I I , P H . D .
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
K E N T U C K Y C O O P E R AT I V E
EXTENSION SERVICE
1-6
7-10
11-13
14-18
GENERATE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
 Determining what
volunteer jobs need to
be done.
 A “big picture” look at
the organization
WHERE DO PEOPLE VOLUNTEER?
 Divide into groups
 Make a list of as many volunteer
roles in NARFE as you can in two
minutes.
GENERATE: POSITION DESCRIPTION
Written explanation of the volunteer’s position
and role. Include:
 Position Title
 Time Commitment
 Location
 General Purpose
 Specific Responsibilities
 Support Provided
Contact Person/Supervisor
GENERATE: IDENTIFY
Develop a list of individuals and
groups to contact for volunteer
service.
• Look for “non-traditional” volunteers
• Example: Singles in youth programs,
college students in the nursery,
retirees judging public speaking
contest. . .
GENERATE: RECRUIT
Actively search for new volunteers:
Web sites/electronic lists
Master list (printed) for all volunteer jobs
Current volunteers
 Personal contacts:
 face to face
 “no” – ask again
 don’t over-recruit
GENERATE: SCREEN
 Potential volunteer completes
application & submits references
 Agents contact references
 Potential volunteer is interviewed
GENERATE: SELECT
Place individuals in the most
suitable volunteer positions.
Match:
 Talent
 Knowledge
 Skills
 Experience
 Goals
EDUCATE: ORIENT
Begin at the beginning. Include topics about:
 History, mission, values, etc. of the
organization
 Past and current programs and projects
 Procedures
 Policies
 Standards
 General expectations
 The “why’s”
EDUCATE: PROTECT
Inform volunteers about risk management
strategies and liability issues.





Child Protection
Behavioral Standards
Conflict Resolution
Confidentiality Issues
Financial Management
EDUCATE: RESOURCES
Provide volunteers with the resources
necessary to do their job:




Human resources
Clerical support
Curriculum
Financial resources
EDUCATE: TEACH
 Provide the knowledge and skills needed to
fulfill their volunteer role.
 Specific subject matter which focuses on
program needs.
MOBILIZE: ENGAGE
Allow volunteers to carry
out the task or activity
they have been selected to
perform.
MOBILIZE: MOTIVATE
Create an environment which
helps individuals or groups
satisfy needs or achieve goals.
 Motives for beginning, continuing
and discontinuing will be different
MOBILIZE: SUPERVISE
Assisting volunteers to
function at their best.
 On-going
 Continuous
SUSTAIN: EVALUATE
On-going process determining if
goals are being met.
 Should be both formal and informal
SUSTAIN: RECOGNIZE
Recognition is:




Essential
Formal and/or informal
Sincere
Provides a sense of
appreciation
SUSTAIN: REDIRECT
Transfers a volunteer to another role
within the organization.
 Promotion
 Reward
 Opportunity to succeed
SUSTAIN: RETAIN
Continues service in the same
volunteer role.
 Fulfills volunteer’s motives
 Ensure a good “fit” between the
role and the volunteer
 Commitment renewed
SUSTAIN: DISENGAGE
Ending the volunteer/
organization commitment and
relationship.