Overview

Being a new volunteer coordinator or starting up a volunteer program can be overwhelming.

Developed in partnership with the Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), this eLearning program, complete with videos and downloadable resources, will help put your mind at ease and give you real attainable strategies and ideas.

Module 1: Implementing the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

The eight National Standards for Volunteer Involvement (National Standards) are a best practice framework to guide all organisations and groups that engage volunteers in a safe, effective, and inclusive way.

The National Standards contain benchmarks specifically designed to help organisations attract, manage, recognise, and retain volunteers, and support volunteer risk and safety practices.

Module 2: Starting a Volunteer Program

Developing your Volunteer Program for success goes beyond task creation and recruiting volunteers. Understanding the legacy of an organisation and the organisations structure, the need within the organisation for volunteers and the roles they would participate in, the reporting lines for volunteers, and the resources available to support your program will enable you to set yourself for success.

Module 3: Onboarding Volunteers

Recruiting the right volunteers to your volunteer program is not only critical for the success of the program, but for ensuring a positve experience for your volunteers.  Once you have recruited your volunteers you then need to onboard them to set them up for success.

Module 4: Inclusive Volunteering

Inclusive volunteering refers to a volunteering approach that actively promotes and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. It involves creating opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds, abilities, and experiences to participate in volunteer activities.

The goal of inclusive volunteering is to ensure that volunteering programs and opportunities are accessible and welcoming to everyone, regardless of factors such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, physical abilities, or any other characteristic.

Module 5: Volunteer Communications

Good communication is the key to success.  To create a culture of trust and respect you need to demonstrate that you are authentic, open and honest.

Module 6: Volunteer Supervision

As a volunteer leader, you are the voice for your volunteers.  It is your role to ensure anyone who is supervising or leading volunteers understands that it is more than just handing out tasks and signing voulteer in and out.

Module 7: Volunteer Program Improvement

Volunteer programs can’t be ‘set and forget’ – they require constant improvement to ensure evolving needs can be met. Continuous improvement also fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, strengthening the program to attract and retain your volunteers and make the most impact.

Module 8: Authentic Volunteer Recognition

Recognising volunteers is crucial to creating a sense of appreciation and belonging within your team. This recognition can happen formally, like awards ceremonies or certificates, or informally, through expressions of gratitude and personalised gestures.

More information is available on the full article: Do More with Less: Implementing Effective Volunteer Management on a Shoestring Budget