"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!
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