Volunteer Management Workshop Planned

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 14, 2014  from 9 am to 3 pm at the Center’s offices at 64 Passaic Street in Hackensack.  The $100 registration fee includes 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 $22.14 per hour in 2012, 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 64 million people volunteer an average of 52 hours over a 12 month period , the economic benefits of an efficiently run volunteer program are evident.

“The Volunteer Sector has been facing numerous challenges due to the economy and shrinking work force.  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, executive director 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.”

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