Volunteer Management Workshop Planned

How to Create and Run a Successful Program

 

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County is offering a comprehensive, six-hour course entitled “Essentials of Volunteer Management: From Development to Achievement” on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 8:30 am to 3 pm at the Center at 64 Passaic Street in Hackensack. The $100 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and curriculum binder. Participants from Volunteer Center Member Agencies pay only $75; contact the Volunteer Center for more information on becoming a Member Agency.

 

Participants will “learn the ropes” of volunteer management in this course, which will cover important points needed to create and run a successful volunteer program, to include:

• Planning the Volunteer Program
• Recruitment and Placement
• Orientation and Training
• Supervision and Recognition
• Evaluation of the Program

 

Best practices and new trends in volunteer management will be discussed, including how to use social media and traditional media to market to volunteers and other supporters, how to engage leadership-level volunteers, and how to target recruitment efforts to specific demographics.

 

The most recent data shows the average monetary value of time donated by volunteers was $25.33 per hour in 2014, according to a study by Independent Sector, a Washington coalition of major charities and foundations. Coupled with the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that over 63 million people volunteer an average of 50 hours over a 12 month period , the economic benefits of an efficiently run volunteer program are evident.

 

“By implementing the practical solutions offered in this workshop, volunteer coordinators can improve their professional skills and learn to manage people who are eager to give their time and talent to help our community,” says Janet Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the Volunteer Center. “We know that volunteers must be engaged to be effective,” continues Sharma. “Ensuring that those who manage volunteers have the necessary skills is critical to the success of non-profit organizations.”

 

Class size is limited; registration deadline is March 6, 2015. Participants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

The Volunteer Center also offers “Volunteer Managers’ Roundtable” lunchtime discussions on volunteer management. Sessions are informal and interactive, and participants are invited to bring their own lunch and be prepared to learn from and share with other industry professionals. Sessions are from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Volunteer Center on March 19, May 21, July 23, September 24 and November 19. Volunteer Managers’ Roundtables are free for Member Agencies; $10 for non-agency members.

 

For more information or to register for “Essentials of Volunteer Management” or “Volunteer Managers’ Roundtables”, send an e-mail to: demery@bergenvolunteers.org or call Debbie Emery at (201) 489-9454 Ext. 118.