Managing Volunteers
Volunteers are a mainstay of a large percentage of non profit organizations in Canada. Volunteers become involved with your organization for reasons other than financial reward. If they do not feel appreciated, at least in a small way, there's a reasonable chance they will leave your organization. Organizing and managing their work also requires special effort.
In this area of VSKN we highlight sites that deal specifically with volunteer program management.
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Managing volunteers requires as much thought and attention as managing staff. Here is an introduction to the basic policies and practices that go into getting the most out of volunteers while providing them with the rewarding experiences they desire.
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For many it is not easy to locate sources of good volunteers then pick the best among them.
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Many volunteers don't stay with it because they are not sure what they are supposed to do or how to do it. Also they rarely get feedback on how they doing.
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Since volunteers aren't paid for their contribution and don't sign employment contracts, they will only stay as long as they feel the psychological rewards are greater than the psychological costs.
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Problems can arise when volunteers work with and beside paid staff. Special effort must be taken to ensure smooth, mutually satisfying relationships.