Essay on Successful Practices in Volunteer Development

This essay describes successful practices in volunteer development to help organizations make the best use of their volunteers. In the United States, 44 percent of adults (83.9 million people) volunteer, representing the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239 billion (Independent Sector 2002). In many organizations, the work of volunteers plays an essential role in effective organizational performance, and thus their training and development are as important as that of paid staff. People volunteer and quit volunteering for a variety of reasons, but studies show that volunteer management and development play an important role. In a UPS Foundation (1999) survey, 40% of volunteers cited poor management†¦show more content†¦1998). As volunteers continue working with an organization, a development plan will give them opportunities to acquire new skills and move to new assignments, which can prevent burnout, improve retention, and fulfill their need to make a difference (Bengels 1999; Older People 2001). National standards for volunteer development were recommended at the V2K 2000 Conference (http://www.reeusda.gov/f4hn/v2k/Where_Do_We_Go.htm), but general standards have yet to be developed in the United States. National standards have been published by the Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation (VSNTO 2002) in the United Kingdom and by Volunteering Australia (2001). A number of models for volunteer management and development are used in the United States, particularly GEMS (Culp et al. 1999). The following discussion is organized around the 4 steps and 18 phases (noted in italics) of the spiral GEMS (Generate, Educate, Mobilize, Sustain) model, supplemented by the UK standards and other sources. Generate The first category includes identification of an organizations needs for volunteers, which are then defined in written job descriptions. Potential volunteers are identified, recruited, screened, and selected (Culp et al. 1999).Show MoreRelatedThe Assistance Provided By The Inter-Range Community, Financial Support And A List Of The Panhellenik-Letter Community1685 Words   |  7 Pageschapter Binghamton! Like you, we want to grow the Panhellenic sisterhood at Binghamton and ensure continued success for the Greek-letter community. Our procedures for establishing a new Kappa chapter along with our knowledgeable support team ensure a successful start for a new chapter at Binghamton. A key component of our strategy is hiring two resident Chapter Consultants who will work with the new chapter for at least the first two years of existence. Kappa has operating funds specifically allocatedRead MorePopulation And Sample Selection854 Words   |  4 PagesPOPULATION AND SAMPLE SELECTION This chapter will present the data gathered about an elementary school’s teacher current perspectives, practices and strategies regarding technology usage within their pedagogy. Pseudonyms will be used for all locations and participants. To distinguish the position of each participant, the will be given a specific number (i.e. – Teacher 1, Teacher 2, etc.). First, the school as it exists at the study site will be described. Then, demographics of the site will be presentedRead MoreNon Profits And Their Mission Essay790 Words   |  4 Pagesmanagement leaders and doing what a majority of businesses preach about doing. Did you know that the nonprofit sector was America’s largest employer? With the amount of volunteers and hours work duplicated to 10 million full time jobs. This is only something that will continue to blossom through the future. â€Å"The best management practice and most innovative methods now come from The Girl Scouts and The Salvation Army.† The Salvation Army is making extreme impacts that are benefits to several partiesRead MoreThe Service Learning Project, At St. Bernards Health And Wellness Center1318 Words   |  6 Pagesevent. The activities were coordinated to encourage a healthy environment and provide citizens of this community an opportunity to participate or volunteer in a meaningful event. Approximately one-hundred people attended the event hosted by St. Bernard faculty members, Families Inc., and other volunteers throughout the local community ensuring a successful event. Target Population According to Mihaela Grasu, â€Å"autism is a complex developmental disorder with a neurobiological character, characterizedRead MoreWhat Makes Up The Organization Greenpeace?1372 Words   |  6 PagesSome of these people are what makes up the organization Greenpeace. It has a background of being a leading organization in the country. Like OD, Greenpeace is focused on education, having a long range prospective, looking for creativity in their volunteers, and working together as a group. Background Greenpeace is one of the leading non-profit organizations in the country and the world. This organization has managed to become incredibly popular since the 1970’s when the organization first startedRead MoreChapter Development Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pages†¢ A Coordinator of Chapter Development is assigned to new chapters for the first five years. She supports the Chapter Consultants and works with the local Advisory Board to build a strong infrastructure for chapter support. This highly trained volunteer works with the Extension Coordinator and has previous experience working with chapters. †¢ Along with the Chapter Services Department at Kappa Headquarters, the Extension Coordinator oversees the logistics associated with establishment through InstallationRead MoreLiterature Review On Parental Involvement1042 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature Review Empire State College Christina Mallett Introduction It has been stated that students whose parents, guardians, and other significant adults who are actively involved in their learning are more likely to be successful in school. Student success here can be defined as intellectual potential, as well as social and cognitive growth. This literature review will examine critically what has been previously researched and written on parental involvement, with a focusRead MoreThe Career Of A College Degree Essay1061 Words   |  5 Pages1. Brief autobiographical sketch, including what led to your interest in the practice of clinical psychology. Elizabeth Gilbert, famed author of Eat, Pray, Love, once wrote, â€Å"you spend a lot of your life having people tell you to follow your passion†¦ passion is hot, it burns. Every day, you can’t access that†¦ Instead, follow your curiosity.† After graduating from Terra Nova high school in 2002 I felt pressure to follow my passion and apply for a college degree to pursue it. I was accepted to SanRead MoreSample Parental Involvement Essay1595 Words   |  7 PagesInvolvement: How Parents Contribute to School Success Kechia Howell Capella University ED 5320 August 4, 2017 As parents and teachers prepare for the new school year, there are many ways that parents and teachers can ensure that a student is successful throughout the school year. It is very imperative that teachers and parents form a relationship so that they may be on one accord when it comes to student success and making sure that the student is where he or she is supposed to be. MaintainingRead MoreA Interview On The Volunteer Program1166 Words   |  5 PagesThe volunteer program that the RCOC has constructed requires all the people that are interesting to go through a vetting process that all employees, board members, and other persons that working closely with the organization must go through. The potential volunteer must go through a background check, submit a drug screening, have or be able to obtain a fingerprint clearance card, and have a shot record that verifies that they have taken a TB test. The outreach center wanted prospective volunteers