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V.A.
Dear V.A.:
First I would say continue what you're already doing and don't
be discouraged! Many people may be interested in volunteering
for you, but the timing isn't right for them at the moment. So
you want to keep your volunteer opportunities "in the news"
as often as possible so that people remember you when the time
IS right for them. The research continues to show that the single
reason most people say they volunteer is because they were asked.
And, your volunteers are your very best recruiters. Encourage
them to be community ambassadors for you and get their friends
and family involved whenever possible. There are many, many resources
on recruiting available today. Check out these Web sites:
Dear Connie:
I'm doing an internship at a nonprofit organization, and I was
wondering if you could give me any pointers on how to be a good
volunteer and how to continue to be a good volunteer.
Amy
Dear Amy:
Independent Sector offers the following "Ten Tips on Volunteering
Wisely." For the full text on each tip, visit their Web site
at http://www.independentsector.org.
Dear Connie:
My office works with volunteers in every area of our business,
from our annual arts fund campaign to special events. We want
to put a policy into place to deal with the requests and expectations
of complimentary tickets. Last year we ended up giving out 45
complimentary tickets in just one fundraising event. We have recognized
our problem and need your help. Some of the team believes in NO
complimentary tickets whatsoever. Others believe in complimentary
tickets for the Event Chair. Others believe in complimentary passes
to those who work a certain amount of hours for an event or cause.
Will you please give us some suggestions?
Kate in North Carolina
Dear Kate:
When it comes to fundraising events, the subject of complimentary
tickets (CT) is one that we all face - and it can be a touchy
issue! I have seen all of the options you suggest used in a variety
of organizations, some more successfully than others. Board and
staff need to agree on the circumstances in which CTs will be
given. If you agree that the purpose of a fundraising event is
to raise FUNDS, then the CT policy is somewhat easier to determine.
Most organizations I work with offer them only to "special
guests" at the event - to the "guest speaker" or
"honorary chairs," for example. If you decide to limit
the number of CTs given at your next event, I suggest you announce
it well in advance to everyone involved so that it doesn't come
as a surprise. And, you will want to explain that the policy has
been created so that everyone is treated fairly and the event
nets as much as possible for the organization. After all, that's
what everyone is working toward!
Dear Connie:
Are you aware of any volunteer code of conduct? Would you be able
to provide an example of a volunteer code of ethics?
Pam and Marion
Dear Pam and Marion:
Webster's defines ethics as "the discipline dealing with
what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation; a set
of moral principles or values; a theory or system of moral values;
the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group."
A code of ethics for a volunteer program is a set of broad-based
principles that allow for diversity while also establishing clear
and acceptable guidelines of conduct - conduct that is agreed
upon by the majority of those affected by the standards set forth.
These agreed upon standards then provide a means of measuring
our behavior as it applies to our duty to be accountable. Once
you have defined the values that are core to your volunteer program,
you can put in writing the standards of conduct (code of ethics)
that are based on the core values.
Having said all that, here are a few examples of "generic"
standards of conduct:
Accountability in a volunteer program is often confused with "ethics." It usually starts with stated expectations, which are often part of the volunteer handbook/manual, orientation, and training. In the absence of written program standards of conduct, it's left to the individual volunteer to interpret what are reasonable and acceptable standards of behavior. While this allows lots of latitude and flexibility for volunteers and staff alike, it may also create an environment for behavior that isn't acceptable.
Your question tells me that some or all of your program volunteers may not be "acting" as you want and need for them to act. If this behavior is program-wide, I suggest that you create an ad hoc group of volunteers to help you identify and document the behavior that is acceptable. By involving them in the process they will be your best advocates for the new standards of conduct.
I've listed a few examples below so that you get the idea. Expectations are sometimes more easily accepted than "rules" or "guidelines."
Volunteers can expect:
* to be trained for the tasks they will do
* to understand how their work fits into the organization
* to be thanked for their efforts
* for their staff partners to be courteous, kind, and thoughtful
Staff members can expect:
* for volunteers to show up on time for assignments
* for volunteers to be respectful of the demands on staff time
* to be thanked for their efforts
* for their volunteer partners to be courteous, kind, and thoughtful