Find tips to oversee the work of volunteers and practical suggestions to supervise them. Everything from ideas to help you work more efficiently to the latest in research on keeping volunteers happy and productive.
Sometimes it seems as if managing volunteers
is just a matter of "getting it done." This is a shortsighted
view. The process used to manage volunteers of a project is important.
It provides for continuity, usually involving the type of communication
that yields success. It forces a person to organize, often verbalizing,
what will be done before jumping in with both feet. Here is one system
to manage that could be used with volunteers or a project.
Management Process
(The chart contains samples of how a plan might
be developed. It is not complete.)
| Step | Definition | Volunteer Program | Project or Event |
| Goals | These are open-ended statements that reflect the wishes of the group. |
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| Objectives | Statements of specific measurable items. These statements NEVER say how to do something, but what will be done. |
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| Action Items | Action items get specific with how you will accomplish the objectives. |
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| Resources Development | Five elements must be considered in any
plan.
|
When planning recruiting, these five items
should appear on a chart with details to follow:
|
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| Control Systems | Establish a system to make sure that plans are on target. |
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| Carry out Tasks | This is when the project or activity is underway. This is a time requiring excellent communication and sensitivity to the needs of paid staff and volunteers. |
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| Evaluation | This is the opportunity to assess the goals and objectives and plan for the future. |
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Coping with Difficult People: The Bulldozer
Difficult people are not difficult in the same way. So coping with difficult people can take decidedly different turns depending on what the person is doing. The "Bulldozer" is the individual who knows everything and is not shy about sharing that fact. Often they convey a superiority of attitude that leaves others feeling totally inadequate. Sometimes the Bulldozer is in fact an expert, but in other cases he/she just acts like they are an expert, but is really not knowledgeable. Here are some tips to cope with the Bulldozer.
1. For coping with someone who is an expert:
- Follow the Boy Scout motto—Be Prepared. Be sure you have all the information needed and have checked accuracy before meeting with the person.
- Use active listening when dealing with the person. Listen for main points and paraphrase what the person has said so you know you understand and the individual knows you understand.
- Ask for more details. Ask questions that help to flesh out the plan, idea, or issue. This helps to re-examine the issues and can help tone down the Bulldozer.
- Options are better than edicts. If you need to disagree, be tentative, but do not back down. Use questions to get agreement.
- Watch your own tendency to be a bulldozer. Bulldozers can force people into bulldozing back. Make every effort to restrain from being a know-it-all (another type of difficult person!).
- Be sure to appreciate. Let the person know how much you appreciate their input or knowledge on the topic.
2. For coping with the Bulldozer who really knows nothing:
- Provide facts. Give the person factual details with supporting documentation, if necessary or alternate opinions.
- Deal with the person one-to-one. It is important to allow this person to save face, so meet with them outside the work site area or meeting. Present them with facts in private to preserve embarrassment all around.
- Provide a way out. If the bulldozer is in a group setting the manager of volunteers needs to be prepared with a statement to give the person a way out. "Oh, I am sure we just misunderstood what you meant." Then move on. Do not dwell on previous statements.
| 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.
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