|
|
|
 |
|
Canadians Award Good Work
Linda Graff, a consultant and trainer
from Ontario, Canada, inspired a unique award program for the 
Kawartha
Lakes Association of Volunteer Adminstration (KLAVA). During a training
session, Linda commented that organizations should be recognized for
using good volunteer management practices. She was specifically talking
about risk management, but Evelyn Chambers, the Volunteer Support
Services Manager for 4-H Ontario broadened the idea, discussed it
with the leadership of KLAVA, and some awards were born.
The series of awards recognizes community agencies for Excellence in Volunteer Management. There are three categories of awards: organizations with fewer than 25 volunteers, 26 to 50 volunteers, and 50 or more volunteers. The organizations are evaluated on such things as volunteer training, risk management, screening, recognition, and crisis management.
The idea was so good that KLAVA was joined in its sponsorship by the Lindsay District Chamber of Commerce and United Way in the greater Kawartha Lakes area. The first awards were presented at City Hall in April 2004.
Interested in more information? Check out our online bookstore for Beyond Police Checks, authored by Linda Graff.
Tips to Good Volunteer Handbooks
Volunteer handbooks are where you lay out the rules, policies, and laws of serving in the organization. The handbook is an essential tool to managing volunteers. If you do not have one, now is the time to write one. If you have one, when was the last time it was revised? Here are some tips to help.
-
Avoid using a formulaic type of handbook. Keep it specific to your program.
-
Topics might include, but are not limited to: confidentiality, handling of money, attire, attendance, reason for immediate dismissal, sexual harassment, performance, etc.
-
Avoid being overly specific. This gives the impression that every possible issue is covered in the manual. That has the potential to lead to law suits.
-
Be sure to be consistent with other organizational documents or policies.
-
Make it look like other "official" organizational documents. Avoid being too cutesy!
-
Check out the laws related to volunteers and be sure the volunteer manual is within compliance.
-
Do not put in policies that the administration will not back, no matter how much you might want them. That is unrealistic.
-
Review the volunteer manual annually.
Return to the Menu
Motivating with Recaps
Volunteers working on a team project over a long period of time can lose momentum. Keeping the energy and commitment up requires constant communication. As interim tasks or goals are achieved it is time for a "recap." This helps members of the volunteer team know the work is being accomplished and can renew enthusiasm. Here is a quick way to up-date people.
An email - or paper report, for those with no email access - should answer these questions:
|
Question
|
Answer
|
|
1. What was the original project goal?
|
To hold an art auction to raise money for the organizations endowment campaign. |
|
2. What made it important?
|
Traditional funding sources are providing less and the need is growing by 15% per year. |
|
3. What made it difficult?
|
The economy in our area is still recovering from an economic down turn. And there was a scandal with a nonprofit misusing its donated funds. |
|
4. Who worked on the project?
|
Four teams: acquisition, finance, event, and publicity, led by Harry, Cheryl, Rosita, and Thomas. |
|
5. What made the people right for this project?
|
Harry knows every artist in the Tri-County area, Cheryl loves to crunch numbers, Rosita never met a party she didn't love, and Thomas is enduringly optimistic. |
|
6. What are the good aspects of the project (get
specific here)?
|
Rosita's team got a donated space that is elegant and Thomas has a team member who is donating all print for publicity and the event - and all this has happened since our last meeting since the last meeting! |
|
7. How were problems solved (get specific here)?
|
Acquisition of art has been sluggish in the past. As of last week, Harry's team was ahead 23% in the acquisition of art for the auction from the same time last year. |
|
8. What aspects seem to make everyone proud?
|
Harry: "My team's dogged pursuit of terrific art objects." Cheryl: "My team's all-out effort to raise money to make this the best auction ever." Rosita: "Paul was the champion persuader to get us Monet Gardens for the event." Thomas: "Two team members have the art worked totally designed and ready to drop in text for brochures, flyers, and the Web. Another person on the team got $3000 in donated advertising from a TV station. These folks just don't stop." |
Recaps take very little time, but can be a powerful mid-course
motivator.
| Interested in assessing volunteer and
staff relations in your program?
Looking for help from an expert? Get help with one of the Volunteer Program Evaluation Series. |
WSU ONLINE CERTIFICATE IN VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
Washington State University offers a Volunteer Management Certification Program through the Internet. Individuals around the world can earn a certificate in managing or coordinating volunteers, without leaving home. For more information, visit Volunteer Today's Portal site, Internet Resources. Look for the Washington State University listing. There is a hot link to their Web site.
A Service of MBA
Publishing-A subsidiary of Macduff/Bunt Associates All materials copyright
protected ©2007
925 "E" Street Walla Walla, WA 99362 (509) 529-0244 FAX: (509) 529-8865
EMAIL: editor@volunteertoday.com
The content of all linked sites are beyond the
control Volunteer Today and the newsletter assumes no responsibility for their
content.