Mark Gannon, of the Institute for Volunteering Research in Britain, published his findings from an unpublished survey of voluntary organizations around the issue of computer technology and its implications for managing volunteers.
The research on voluntary groups showed that:

• More than half did not have e-mail
• 75% did not have a Web-site
• Two-thirds had fewer than 10 computers in their organization
• Fewer than 50% had computer systems that were networked.
• Only one-third had an information technology specialist on staff

Given this information, he outlined the ways in which computer technology can streamline the work of managing volunteers. Gannon's recommendation makes a good checklist for anyone wishing to integrate computer technology into his or her program. It also has excellent reasons to share with administrators to provide why technology is critical to the continuation of a viable volunteer program.

Gannon concludes his article by saying that these wonderful technologies are not replacements for the previous ways of doing things, but tools to help do those things faster and more efficiently.

Futurists are offering suggestions and ideas for the world of employment into the middle of the 21st century. Here is a short checklist to see if you are preparing yourself and your organization for the volunteer of 2025:

• Are you offering volunteering choices? Just as schools are beginning to realize that "one size" does not fit all students, so too the wise volunteer manager is finding ways to develop a diverse array of volunteer opportunities. Bringing volunteers and staff into a planning process can help identify different ways in which people can volunteer.

• Are you seeking volunteers from previously untapped sources? This isn't a diversity issue, although that is important, but one of really seeking people who have never volunteered and seem like unlikely candidates. One volunteer program manager is working with a professional colleague, who runs a prison volunteer program, to have prisoners assist with things such as folding newsletters, stuffing envelopes, preparing volunteer information packets. There is even recognition for the inmate volunteers by the organization during national volunteer week.

• Are you teaching "old dogs" new tricks? The veteran volunteer is in a position to move into a middle management in the organization. This can happen only if the volunteer manager and administration want it to happen. These experienced volunteers need training and administrative support to become the team leaders for younger volunteers who are giving shorter and shorter hours of service. If our programs are to survive, this requires innovative thinking, new training, and new relationships between staff and volunteers.

• Are you matching your technology to future needs? You may not be thrilled with e-mail, Internet, and Web sites, but in 25 years the young volunteers entering the program won't know what to do without them. This means beginning now to build a long-range plan to meet future technological needs. This means learning about the changes in schools and the workplace. Those changes have a direct impact on what the people expect from a volunteer program.

• Are you engaged in regular professional development? Professional development (Join the Association for Volunteer Administration, pay dues to the Points of Light Foundation, belong to your local volunteer managers association, take an online course in volunteer administration, attend the Independent Sector Spring Research Forum, and so much more) in all its many forms can help you be ahead of the "ball" game when it comes time to plan for the future. Professional organizations and conferences help us grow and see the new trends.

Volunteer programs can aim appeals for service to different markets; employee groups, parents, youth, and so forth. Before taking the time to design a recruitment campaign for a target audience, you must know whether it is worth it in your community. Here are numbers to help determine if your community is awash in either singles or seniors.

Much is written about the different generations, their behaviors, demographics, employment, and educational achievements to name a few. To understand the information you encounter each day, it is important to know the difference between Generation X and Generation Y. Here is your cheat sheet!

DAILY POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD FORMS AVAILABLE

The Points of Light Foundation has forms available to nominate volunteers and volunteer organizations for the Daily Points of Light Award. It is designed recognize individuals and groups that demonstrate unique and innovative approaches to community volunteering and citizen action, with a strong emphasis on service focused on the goals for children and young people set by the Presidents Summit for American's Future.

The award is given five days a week, excluding holidays. If you would like nomination forms, contact Crystal
Hill at 202-729-8000.

1-800-VOLUNTEER

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Copyright by Nancy Macduff.

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