"Running an effective, successful volunteer program can be a game-changer for your nonprofit." -Shari Ilsen, Nonprofit Technology NetworkSo true, Shari! Check out the post that great quote originated from here. This informative article provides great ideas of the different ways you can utilize technology in running an effective volunteer program for your organization.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Technology in Volunteer Programs: Ideas from NTEN
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Presenting: our AmeriCorps Works VIP Video Contest Winner
Our winning video was produced by VIP Fellow Elijah Werlyklein and stars National Service member Andrew Moritz. Both are serving at Hands On Central California.
Congratulations on such a creative video!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Is your gate open or closed? 5 quick ideas to make your volunteer program more inviting
Katya's Nonprofit Marketing Blog had a great post last week about a music school that increased their clients by over 50% - just because they opened their front gate and put out a few welcoming signs. What simple changes to make a big impact!
This got me thinking -how might this apply to our volunteer programs? What if such small changes could make volunteers flood through your organization's doors, like it made new students flood through the doors of that school?
Here are some small but powerful ways to make your volunteer program more inviting:
1. Get rid of physical barriers. Simple changes like opening the door to the organization, taking down the cubicle wall that separates the volunteer coordinator from the rest of the office, or removing other physical barriers can make potential volunteers feel more at ease about approaching you.
2. Make open positions obvious. Like the welcome signs in Katya's story, sometimes a metaphorical "come on in" can invite a volunteer to step up. Advertise your specific volunteer position openings. It's like a "welcome sign" into your volunteer program.
3. Smile. When anyone comes into your office - client, donor, supporter, community member - smile, say "hello," be friendly, and make sure they feel welcome. No need to put them on the spot - but a kind acknowledgment of their presence will make the person feel more at ease. And you never know who might be interested in lending a hand if they just feel comfortable with you!
4. Institute a "smile" policy. It shouldn't just be you making people feel welcome - get the whole team on board! Volunteers see your staff as a representation of your volunteer program - so make sure they know the entire staff is welcoming and supportive.
5. Create a clear chain of communication. Everyone in your organization needs to know who a potential volunteer should approach if they're interested in giving their time. Make sure an interested volunteer can approach anyone at the organization and get a clear referral to the volunteer coordinator. Little can scare off a potential volunteer more than a convoluted or circular chain of contacts who are unsure of how to help them get involved.
How do you make sure that volunteers feel welcome at your organization? Share your ideas in the comments!
This got me thinking -how might this apply to our volunteer programs? What if such small changes could make volunteers flood through your organization's doors, like it made new students flood through the doors of that school?
Here are some small but powerful ways to make your volunteer program more inviting:
1. Get rid of physical barriers. Simple changes like opening the door to the organization, taking down the cubicle wall that separates the volunteer coordinator from the rest of the office, or removing other physical barriers can make potential volunteers feel more at ease about approaching you.
2. Make open positions obvious. Like the welcome signs in Katya's story, sometimes a metaphorical "come on in" can invite a volunteer to step up. Advertise your specific volunteer position openings. It's like a "welcome sign" into your volunteer program.
3. Smile. When anyone comes into your office - client, donor, supporter, community member - smile, say "hello," be friendly, and make sure they feel welcome. No need to put them on the spot - but a kind acknowledgment of their presence will make the person feel more at ease. And you never know who might be interested in lending a hand if they just feel comfortable with you!
4. Institute a "smile" policy. It shouldn't just be you making people feel welcome - get the whole team on board! Volunteers see your staff as a representation of your volunteer program - so make sure they know the entire staff is welcoming and supportive.
5. Create a clear chain of communication. Everyone in your organization needs to know who a potential volunteer should approach if they're interested in giving their time. Make sure an interested volunteer can approach anyone at the organization and get a clear referral to the volunteer coordinator. Little can scare off a potential volunteer more than a convoluted or circular chain of contacts who are unsure of how to help them get involved.
How do you make sure that volunteers feel welcome at your organization? Share your ideas in the comments!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Creative Photo Contest Winner
And our last photo contest winner for the 2012 AmeriCorps Week Photo Contest is (drumroll please!)...
This great photo of the KorehLA VIP Fellow team! It takes the "Most Creative Photo" title. The photo was inspired by KorehLA's mission to enable volunteers to help foster their student’s love of reading, and was taken at The Last Book Store in Downtown Los Angeles. Congratulations to Molly Soboroff, the VIP Fellow who submitted this photo!
Check out the blog next week to see our winning "AmeriCorps Works" video!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Volunteer In Action Photo Contest Winner
Our AmeriCorps week photo contest winner for Best Volunteer Action shot goes to:
Julianna Whittaker, VIP Fellow at CalSERVES! This is a photo of a committed volunteer at Bellevue Elementary School, taking part in pumpkin carving with the students she serves. Congratulations, Julianna!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Day in the Life Photo Contest Winner
Thank you to everyone who participated in our VIP AmeriCorps Week Photo Contest! Over the next 3 days, we'll be announcing our photo contest winners.
Our first winner, for best "Day in the Life" shot, goes to...
James Laske, VIP Fellow at CSU Monterey Bay. Congratulations! This is a great photo of James working on a service learning project with a student - helping instill the AmeriCorps ethic of service into a new generation of volunteers!
Check out the blog again tomorrow and Wednesday to see our Volunteer in Action and Creative Photo winners!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Win up to $4,000 through Challenge.gov's AmeriCorps Video Contest
Well, our video contest has nearly come to an end (submissions are due today!), but challenge.gov came out with a new contest this week: this time, it's for a 60-second video made around the theme of "AmeriCorps Works."
Submissions are due July 4 (that nearly 4 months from now - giving you plenty of time!), and the first prize winner will receive $4,000!
For all of you still-enthusiastic, they are also hold a photo contest (for a $2,000 grand prize)!
Keep a lookout for our own photo and video contest winners - announcements will come soon. Send any last-minute submissions to vip (at) calserves.org by the end of the day today.
Submissions are due July 4 (that nearly 4 months from now - giving you plenty of time!), and the first prize winner will receive $4,000!
For all of you still-enthusiastic, they are also hold a photo contest (for a $2,000 grand prize)!
Keep a lookout for our own photo and video contest winners - announcements will come soon. Send any last-minute submissions to vip (at) calserves.org by the end of the day today.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Have you SMIZEd for AmeriCorps this week?
AmeriCorps Alums is holding a photo campaign titled "AmeriCorps Works Here." For this campaign, they are asking that AmeriCorps alums send in pictures for their current career paths to show the diverse fields that can boast the experience of former AmeriCorps members. Check out their promotional video, all about how to "smize" for this photo campaign:
To find out more information, visit the AmeriCorps Alums website or Facebook page.
To find out more information, visit the AmeriCorps Alums website or Facebook page.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Join the AmeriCorps Week Conversation on Twitter
Interested in following the AmeriCorps Week conversation on Twitter? Follow the AmeriCorps Twitter (@AmeriCorps) or use the hashtag #AmeriCorpsWeek.
Happy Tweeting!
Happy Tweeting!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Change your Facebook Profile Picture in Honor of AmeriCorps Week
Looking to help promote AmeriCorps in celebration of service? Check out the AmeriCorps Week website, which has all kind of banners and even an avatar made just for your Facebook profile picture. Use it to help promote AmeriCorps this week!
Monday, March 12, 2012
AmeriCorps Alums' Annual AmeriCorps Week Webinar
Happy AmeriCorps Week!
AmeriCorps Alums hosts an annual AmeriCorps Week webinar for current AmeriCorps members and Alumni. This year's webinar is titled "Inspirational Pathways of Service and Leadership" and will feature five AmeriCorps alumni on a panel discussing their post-AmeriCorps careers. It takes place tomorrow from 12 pm - 1:30 pm PT.
Interested in learning more or participating? Check out more information here.
AmeriCorps Alums hosts an annual AmeriCorps Week webinar for current AmeriCorps members and Alumni. This year's webinar is titled "Inspirational Pathways of Service and Leadership" and will feature five AmeriCorps alumni on a panel discussing their post-AmeriCorps careers. It takes place tomorrow from 12 pm - 1:30 pm PT.
Interested in learning more or participating? Check out more information here.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Fast Facts about AmeriCorps Impact
AmeriCorps week starts tomorrow. This year's theme is "AmeriCorps Works" - but have you ever wondered just how we know that AmeriCorps works? Well - here are some facts about AmeriCorps Impact from the AmeriCorps Week Impact Guide:
775,000: Number of people who have served as AmeriCorps members since 1994.
1 Billion: Total number of hours served by AmeriCorps members since 1994.
3.5 million: Number of disadvantaged youth tutored, mentored, or served by AmeriCorps
members in fiscal 2011.
3.4 million: Number of community volunteers managed or mobilized by AmeriCorps
members in fiscal 2011.
$480 million: Value of cash and in-kind donations leveraged by AmeriCorps members in
fiscal 2010.
15,000: Number of nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations served by
AmeriCorps members.
$2.2 billion: Total amount of Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards earned by AmeriCorps
members since 1994.
$7.6 billion: Amount of AmeriCorps funds invested in nonprofit, educational, and faithbased
community groups since 1994.
775,000: Number of people who have served as AmeriCorps members since 1994.
1 Billion: Total number of hours served by AmeriCorps members since 1994.
3.5 million: Number of disadvantaged youth tutored, mentored, or served by AmeriCorps
members in fiscal 2011.
3.4 million: Number of community volunteers managed or mobilized by AmeriCorps
members in fiscal 2011.
$480 million: Value of cash and in-kind donations leveraged by AmeriCorps members in
fiscal 2010.
15,000: Number of nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations served by
AmeriCorps members.
$2.2 billion: Total amount of Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards earned by AmeriCorps
members since 1994.
$7.6 billion: Amount of AmeriCorps funds invested in nonprofit, educational, and faithbased
community groups since 1994.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Get the word out about your AmeriCorps Week events
AmeriCorps Week (March 10 - 18) is fast approaching, and AmeriCorps members, alums, and service-lovers all over the country are looking to celebrate service in America by... well, serving! So get the word out about service opportunities (or any other AmeriCorps Week events) at your organization and help others get involved! Here are a few places you can list your AmeriCorps Week events:
Still looking for ideas of events you can hold during AmeriCorps Week? Find some great resources over at AmeriCorps Alums.
- AmeriCorps Alums Events website
- Idealist (click on "post a listing" at the top right corner of the page)
- VolunteerMatch (click on "register" to get started)
- Craigslist (put a posting in the volunteer section for your area's page)
Still looking for ideas of events you can hold during AmeriCorps Week? Find some great resources over at AmeriCorps Alums.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)