Managed Projects and LeadersMichigan Volunteer Center Retreat

Mount Pleasant, MIMarch 9 – 10, 2011

Managed Projects & Volunteer Leaders

•What is this Project Based model?

•Why should I use it?

•How do I do it?

•What are Volunteer Leaders?

•Why should I use them?

•How do I recruit, train, and use Volunteer Leaders?

Project Based Volunteering• What are volunteer projects?

• Clear start and end time• One-time event (can be recurring)• No ongoing commitment for volunteer• Immediate impact• Limited or no training required• Activities designed to engage groups or teams of

volunteers• Led by a Volunteer Leader

What makes it our project?Why should it be our project?

•Project is developed and/or led by Volunteer Center staff•Project is led by a Volunteer Leader trained and placed by

the Volunteer Center•Who has recruited and led the volunteers?•Who has ownership over the Volunteer Experience?•Will the volunteers understand the role that your Volunteer

Center has in this project?

Components of a Project Calendar Program?

•A collection of projects developed in partnership with your agency and local non profits

•Volunteers can register for a specific date and time to volunteer

•Volunteers know exactly what they’re signing up for (date, time, location, activities)

•Can be a compliment to existing model or programs•Is an easy, accessible way for the community to plug into

volunteering

Why a Project Calendar?

• Because this is what volunteers are saying: • I don’t have a lot of time to volunteer • I’m only available on evenings and weekends• I don’t know enough about this issue/agency, so I’m

not ready to make a long term commitment• I’m only volunteering because I have to…

• School requirement• Work encouraged• Community Service requirement from court

Why Project Based Volunteering?

• According to Corporation for National & Community Service: • 65% of volunteers are episodic (less than 100 hours per

year)• Organizations should offer diverse levels of

commitment and responsibility• Non volunteers fear the time commitment required for

volunteering• This is the way many companies and groups are

engaging in volunteerism

How do I do this at my agency?

•You can start small!!!

• Begin with 1-2 projects

• Start with small projects (engage 5-10 volunteers)

•Use your resources

• Database of community partners

• Partner agencies that access some or all of your services (training, posting volunteer opportunities, SeniorCorps programs, etc.)

Developing Your Project Calendar• How do I get started?

• You can start with one project per month!• Target an agency you have a strong relationship with• Develop a project the agency has success in leading

• Don’t try to build a playground for your first project• Suggested projects: food service, litter pickup,

sorting or boxing donations at a food bank, walking dogs at an animal shelter

• The agency should have past success in implementing the project as a group project! Don’t reinvent the wheel.

Increasing Your Project Calendar

•Develop an outreach strategy for community partners

•Forms & Processes:

• Cover letter and program overview

• FAQ for partner agencies

• Project application

•Market Your Program to potential agency partners

• Email blasts

• Newsletters

• Training sessions

Volunteer Leaders Focus

What are Volunteer Leaders?

• Volunteers leading other volunteers• Gives community volunteers the opportunity for

deeper engagement, skill building, and networking• Serve as the liaison between partner agency site and

potential volunteers• Facilitate sign up, registration, and onsite leadership• Absolutely vital component of the increasing the

capacity of your Project Calendar

Recruiting Project Leaders

• Potential Volunteer Leaders are everywhere!• Board members• Local universities• Current volunteers• Partner agencies• Service clubs• Corporate partners• Other avenues for recruitment?

Volunteer Leader Training•Before Training Volunteer Leaders, we must understand

what their role is. Ask ourselves:

• Where do they fit into this program

• Will they manage sign up and registration

• What technology will Volunteer Leaders use

• Who at my agency will support and work with Volunteer Leaders?

• What is their responsibility in reporting

• How and when will they be matched to projects

• And….

Volunteer Leader Training

•Develop a training program for your volunteer leaders

•Important components• Volunteer Leader Roles and Responsibilities

• Agency background

• On site management

• Agency rules and procedures

• Facilitating project sign up and registration

Ongoing Support of Volunteer Leaders

• Create social and networking opportunities for Volunteer Leaders• Be strategic about the time commitment involved• Complete a skills assessment in order to best leverage skills of

volunteer leaders• Involve volunteer leaders in identifying and developing

additional projects• Give volunteer leaders a special t-shirt, kit, passport, clipboard

that distinguishes them• Give volunteer leaders special recognition at events,

newsletters, annual reports, etc. • Provide avenues for feedback for Volunteer Leaders

Recap

•Volunteer Projects are a great way to engage new volunteers and groups

•Many volunteers seek one-time short term commitments•Adding Managed Projects to your portfolio of programs is a

good business strategy•By starting small, and being strategic, we can our Project

Calendar •Recruiting, training, and supporting Volunteer Leaders will

lead to increased projects, volunteers, and impact