Volunteer Management Workshop Series

Hands On Central Ohio is offering a series of workshops on volunteer recruitment and management which could be helpful to community gardens.

Volunteer Management Series

"Participants who complete the series will receive a HandsOn Central Ohio Volunteer Management Certificate. The cost is $200 for the series (strongly recommended)."

The traditional concept of volunteerism has significantly changed over the past few years. Like other institutions volunteering is influenced by cultural shifts. Those who experience flexibility in the workplace expect flexibility in their volunteer involvement. Within this changing environment the role of volunteer management has also changed. This series will emphasize strategic volunteer engagement and reflect the philosophy and practice of collaborative volunteer engagement. The series includes the impact of social media, connecting to the corporate community and how to engage skilled and pro bono volunteers that is at the forefront of the biggest paradigm shift in volunteerism in our time. The objective of this revised series is to provide volunteer managers, administrators, supervisors and coordinators with up to date techniques and best practices for developing and engaging a successful volunteer staff within any agency's service programs. Upon completion of this series participants will take with them a comprehensive manual of the six sessions plus samples of the documents, forms and itemized procedures necessary to have a successful volunteer engagement program.

Understanding Volunteerism

Session 1 Participants will learn current trends and many definitions of a volunteer. You will examine the shifts and emerging patterns in volunteering and the impact of technology in engaging volunteers. As an example of micro-volunteering you will hear the story of Jacob Colker who enables smartphone users to be volunteers by donating spare minutes to nonprofits. To highlight corporate philanthropy you will view a Deloitte video, pioneers of venture philanthropy, how skill based volunteerism is making a difference in communities. This session will define the basis for agency readiness, characteristics of organizations that effectively engage volunteers and professional ethics in engaging volunteers.

Presenter: Beth Eck, Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services, HandsOn Central Ohio
Cost: $40
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Date: October 2, 2012

Create a Plan for Your Volunteer Program

Session 2 This session will build a solid foundation for the successful management of your volunteer engagement program. Rebeccah Verhoff, Director, Community Engagement, HandsOn Central Ohio, will introduce HandsOn's new volunteer involvement framework. She will provide information on volunteer leader's training and how to utilize HandsOn Network Connect, Volunteer Central Ohio, that will increase the volunteer capacity of your organization. You will discover the many elements of a successful volunteer program, benefits and challenges of a volunteer program. Discussion will center on the importance of a volunteer purpose statement and its relationship to your organization’s mission. You will create a purpose statement for your program. Participants will examine methods to assess their agency's volunteer needs and determine appropriate volunteer roles that include the use of an integrated volunteer staff. Through hands on practice you will learn how to create captivating volunteer position descriptions. As “volunteer” does not mean “free” a discussion will center on how to advocate for the resources needed to develop and sustain a program. Participants will draft a budget for their volunteer program. Attendees will leave this session keenly understanding the importance of building a strong agency foundation for a volunteer staff.

Presenter: Beth Eck, Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services, HandsOn Central Ohio Rebeccah Verhoff, Director, Community Engagement, HandsOn Central Ohio
Cost: $40
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Date: October 9, 2012

Policies and Procedures

Session 3 Policies and procedures are the nuts and bolts of a volunteer program. The value of risk management is covered throughout the series but is a particular focus in this session. At the beginning of this session each participant will complete an at-risk survey of their volunteer program. Participants will learn the significance of developing operational guidelines, standards and procedures including guidelines for dismissal. The importance of the need for a volunteer policies and procedures manual will be covered. Volunteer screening is one of the most important components of your volunteer program. Stephanie Sparrow Hughes, Mentoring Center of Central Ohio, will lead a discussion on screening volunteers. Participants will do a risk assessment of their newly created position description. Included in this session you will learn about risk management planning, strategies and liability reduction. The importance of systematic record keeping will be addressed. Presenter: Beth Eck, Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services, HandsOn Central Ohio Stephanie Sparrow Hughes, Manager/Operations & Buckeye Mentoring Hub, Mentoring Center of Central Ohio
Cost: $40
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Date: October 16, 2012

Recruitment Strategies for Building Diversity in Your Volunteer Program

Session 4 The importance of a position description for purposes of recruitment and placement will be reinforced. Cultivating diversity in volunteering means a varied body of volunteers and selection of roles volunteers can carry out. Achieving diversity is an essential element in your recruitment plan. Does your volunteer force represent the community you serve? Does your organization make all volunteers feel welcome? Volunteers from different ages and backgrounds are motivated and retained by different approaches and techniques. Participants will develop strategies for recruiting traditional volunteers, Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, youth and persons with disabilities. Steps for developing and implementing a targeted recruitment strategy will be discussed. You will craft a volunteer recruitment message. A panel of community leaders will provide a discussion on how to recruit and sustain multi-cultural volunteers.
Presenter: Beth Eck, Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services, HandsOn Central Ohio, Eva Atunga, Information Specialist, HandsOn Central Ohio
Cost: $40
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Date: October 23, 2012

Social Networking, Interviewing, Orientation, Placement and Recognition

Session 5 Social networking outreaches to a broader range of volunteers in less time. Staff from HandsOn's volunteer engagement department will lead a discussion on integrating Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn into your program. The use of the social media serves as a means to maximize your efforts in recruiting, utilizing, communicating and acknowledging volunteers. Matching potential volunteers to positions is critically important to volunteer sustainability and the success of your program. You will practice effective interviewing techniques that screen and determine proper placements. Conducting a thorough orientation and training will be review. Acknowledgement of volunteers needs to be tailored to the volunteer’s motivation. Students will develop a strategic recognition plan for their volunteers.

Presenter: Beth Eck, Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services, HandsOn Central Ohio, Rebeccah Verhoff, Director Community Engagement, HandsOn Central Ohio
Cost: $40
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Date: October 30, 2012

Supervision, Evaluate Your Volunteer Program and Best Volunteer Management Practices from the Field

Session 6 Supervising and supporting volunteers for maximum performance will be covered. Also included is managing transitions. difficult volunteers and learning how to redirect and dismiss volunteers. Participants will examine the necessity for thorough and well-planned evaluation tools that assess the volunteer’s progress as well as your volunteer program. The series ends with conversation and best practice tips from several central Ohio “veteran” administrators of volunteers.

Presenter: Beth Eck, Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services, HandsOn Central Ohio Shryiell Owens, Director, Foster Grandparent Program, HandsOn Central Ohio
Cost: $40
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Date: November 13, 2012

 

If you are interested in any or all of these workshops, you can register online.