International Volunteer Managers Day, Wednesday 5th November, now in its 15th year is an apt time to reflect on how Community and Voluntary organisations value and invest in volunteer management. The role of the Volunteer Manager is an essential one as it is she/he that coordinates and drives the volunteer management programme and provides ongoing support to volunteers. In the absence of an appointed, resourced and supported Volunteer Manager an organisation’s involvement, management and retention of Volunteers is adrift.
Appointing a Volunteer Manager recognises the importance of volunteers to the organisation, it demonstrates commitment to involving rather than using volunteers and acknowledges awareness of the importance of planning ongoing volunteer management. It also helps volunteers to feel reassured that they are being respected and valued. Depending on an organisation size, needs and resources, the Volunteer Manager position may be a part time or full time one, filled by a volunteer or by an employee.
The position and role of Volunteer Managers can and does vary considerably as per an organisation particular circumstances, and can be adapted in line with an organisation changing needs. A key role for Volunteer Managers is assessing and matching the skills, experiences and expectations of volunteers to organisation’s need(s) and expectations. She/he could be responsible for the following volunteer based activities:
-Recruitment
-Screening and Selection
-Induction and training
-Day to day management
-Support and recognition
-Supervision and development
-Progression and exiting
-Programme evaluation
The act of appointing a Volunteer Manager whilst essential is not sufficient in itself to guarantee effective volunteer management. It must be accompanied with other key actions. Such as clarification and ongoing evaluation of an organisation’s volunteer management practices, the development of a volunteer policy, the allocation of a volunteer management budget, investment in volunteer retention strategies and enabling volunteers voices to input into decision making. Kerry Volunteer Centre has available a suite of supports and resources to support the work of Volunteer Managers in Kerry and to enhance the effectiveness of organisations volunteer management practices.
Supports vary from the Kerry Volunteer Managers Network, a peer to peer network which meets quarterly to explore best practices in volunteer management, membership is free, to volunteer management training workshops and mentoring. Our website’s, www.volunteerkerry.ie, training section has a wide range of resources, including articles and templates that demystify day to day management of Volunteers. Blogs and social media posts on Twitter, @volunteerkerry, and Facebook, facebook.com/KerryVolunteerCentre, regularly focus on volunteer management. Staff are readily available over the phone, via email or in person to answer queries from Volunteer Managers and to enhance organisations volunteer management capacity.
On the occasion of International Volunteer Managers Day, Kerry Volunteer Centre would like to reaffirm its appreciation of the many roles that Volunteer Managers play in making volunteering in Kerry a positive and meaningful experience. To celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day 2014 and support further the work of Volunteer Managers in Kerry we have developed an online survey to gather the training needs and interests of local Volunteer Managers.
