Using Skills-Based Volunteers
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Transcript of Using Skills-Based Volunteers
USING SKILLS-BASED VOLUNTEERS
Nancy Long 501 Commons
Consulting services, cohort programs including the Volunteer Impact Program for UWKC, Information and Referral Services and the Statewide Nonprofit Resource Directory
Visit at www.501commons.org Executive Service Corps of WA
26 ESC in US375 members in WA State All ages and backgrounds Both nonprofit and business expertiseWork with 100+ organizations each year
Purpose Provide tools and resources that help you successfully tap into the professional skills of volunteers
What is different about working with skilled volunteers?
How do I find skills-based volunteers?
How can I match the right person to the role?
How can I successfully direct a volunteer?
Is my organization prepared to use skilled volunteers successfully?
By the end of the session
Skilled Volunteers
All volunteers have skills. What distinguishes skills-based volunteerism is that the volunteer is using specific skills, credentials, and experience that is not available in the general population.
What’s different?
“You don’t need to know where you are going. Just keep walking.”
What’s Different? Individually based (not a program) oProject-based—Driven by scope of work
o Like an unpaid staff or consultantVolunteer participants in designing the
roleoAgency describes the outcome oVolunteer contributes to how the outcome is reached
Enhanced experience if:oPaired with learning oDiverse/Intergenerational
What are some possible benefits of using skilled
volunteers?
What are some possible benefits of using skilled
volunteers?
BenefitsSkills you cannot afford to pay forComplete work that is on the back-burner
Can teach staff new skills May bring a new perspective to the organization
May become a donor May bring in new donors May become a high value board member
Bookkeeping
What professional skills might be useful to your organization?
Database
Research
Training
Photography
Human Resources
Where do you find those skills?
Step #1 Finding skilled volunteers Be clear about the work that needs to be
done Define the skills you need Write a position descriptions that focus
on skills needed and describes the impact of this work on the people you serve
Post it on listings sites with the skill in the position title
Send it to professionals who have the skill for might know someone who does.
Step #2: Matching Volunteers
Square peg in a round hole?
Determining a good “fit”
A good fitSet up a discussion with the potential volunteer
There are 3 positive outcomes The person is a good fit for this role
The person is not a good fit for this role
Agree to do some more work to determine if it would be a good fit.
What makes a good fit?
Matching Volunteer Requirements with Organizational Needs
Volunteer Organization
Volunteer’s values about who they want to help
Focus/mission; staff/board diversity; who is served
Volunteer’s values about workplace culture
Organizational culture
Volunteer’s preferences about using/developing their skills
Organizational needs (what needs to be done; what expertise is needed)
Volunteer’s preferences about the structure and benefits of a volunteer opportunity
Structure and benefits of the volunteer opportunity
Challenge: Cross walking skills
From the corporate to… the nonprofit sector
Competencies Mapwww.taprootfoundation.org/leadprobono /state/competencies_map
Taprootfoundation.org>lead probono>Resources>competencies map
Lists 75+ opportunities and the occupations that can have the needed competencies
Select By project By occupation
Exercise Choose a partner One plays the role of the volunteerOne plays the role of the organization
Read the description of the nonprofit’s project and the profile of the volunteer and attempt to determine if there is a good match
Matching Volunteer Requirements with Organizational Needs
Volunteer Organization
Volunteer’s values about who they want to help
Focus/mission; staff/board diversity; who is served
Volunteer’s values about workplace culture
Organizational culture
Volunteer’s preferences about using/developing their skills
Organizational needs (what needs to be done; what expertise is needed)
Volunteer’s preferences about the structure and benefits of a volunteer opportunity
Structure and benefits of the volunteer opportunity
Step #3: Developing an agreement with your volunteer
Defining the projectScope of Work (what, how, to what end?)
Deliverables (products/outcomes)TimelineResources needed Accountability/Evaluation process
Things to watch for
Time sensitivity risk : Do they have the time to do the project when needed?
Scope creep risk - can you keep the work within a clearly defined scope?
Sector knowledge risk - does the volunteer have the sector knowledge needed for this role?
Developing a written agreement Scope of work: oProblem to be solvedoWhat will be done/ by whenoGenerally how it will be doneoWhere will the resources come from
Deliverables oProducts of the work, incl. interim productsoOutcomes
Accountability/Evaluation
Agreement ExerciseScope of work
Problem to be solved What will be done Generally how it will be doneWhere will the resources come from
Deliverables Products Outcomes
Assessing Readiness
We insure that specialized volunteers are given the staff support and resources needed to accomplish their projects.
We have developed long-term goals for engaging skilled volunteers.
Be aware of generational differences
Volunteers in 20/30sVolunteers 50+
Working with SBV in their 20s/30sGive optionsBe flexible but clear about expectations
Engage in smaller projects to build commitment
Be open to how the work gets done
Appreciate their technology knowledge and experience
Working with skilled volunteers over 5010,000 people turn 60 each day;
Approximately 25% of the population are boomers
Highly educatedPrefer project work Want to know expectations Want to see the impact
Are you more prepared?
What is your biggest barrier?
Using Skilled Volunteers Nancy Long, Executive Director, 501
Commons [email protected] 206.682.6704
Visit www.501commons.org for copies of this presentation and resources on volunteer management
Search for “skills-based volunteering” and “volunteer management resource”