Engaging Volunteers

Engaging Volunteers

Jacqulyn Owens, Library Director

Memphis (Texas) Public Library

Tools, techniques and models for successful implementation of volunteer engagement

John F. Kennedy 1961

… Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

You must have a volunteer policy! Well written and well defined. Have job descriptions for volunteer jobs. Check online for samples of volunteer policies.

·         Low Impact Exercise – Led by volunteers in partnership with Texas AgriLife

·         Extension services will provide programs

·         Draw from the community – special skills or talents

·         Volunteer to create a community garden and help maintain the garden

·         Volunteer to move books

·         Volunteers helping get books ready for a book sale

·         Four-H youth help with summer reading program

Ideas:

·         Graphic artist to create brochures

·         Web content

·         Story tellers

·         Lead workshops in their area of interest

·         Help with computer classes or tutorials

·         Homework helpers

·         Trained volunteers with literacy programs

·         Income tax assistance

·         Genealogy volunteers

·         Assist with Medicare Part B

·         Friends bookshop

·         Scan photographs

·         Design Facebook Page!

Different programs, different times of day will result in a full-parking lot. We have turned our library into a true community center

How do you find volunteers?

·         Students need public service hours for graduation

·         Baby boomers are reaching retirement age. They have special skills they want to share. They want to do something and contribute something that is special – not just shelving books.

·         Corporations require employees to give time to a volunteer organization.

www.volunteermatch.org: Post a volunteer job on this site. They also have a blog with great information (21 Ways Volunteers Can Help with Your Web Site)

Post volunteer jobs on your library’s website or on a sign at the library.

Through engaging volunteers, you develop a strong group of library supporters, who will advocate it, promote it in the community, and help recruit both financial and human resources. – Carla Lehn

Why do people volunteer?

·         To give back to community

·         To meet people

·         Want to keep current with skills and learn more skills

·         They were asked.

Post volunteer positions and short job descriptions.

Library clean-up days: volunteer opportunities

Job Description

·         Title

·         Reason for the job

·         Qualifications

·         Supervisor the volunteer is responsible to

·         Responsibilities of the job

·         Training that will be provided

·         Benefits of volunteering

·         Time commitment

·         Length of commitment

·         Contact person about the volunteer opportunity

·         Date Posted

Screen Volunteers

·         Interviews

·         Get to know the volunteer

·         Get to know the volunteers expectation of the job

·         Go over the job description, skills needed ability to work independently or with others, physical requirements (bending, lifting, and climbing)

·         Write a script to keep the interview on track and to make sure you ask the questions you want to ask.

·         Ask questions on: background, skills, time & schedule), etc.

·         Check with governing body policy on volunteers

·         Are background checks required?

·         Check references

·         All information is confidential

·         Give the volunteer time to process the requirements and discuss it with family before they commit. Do not force someone into doing a job that they do not want to do… they feel guilty because they wanted to volunteer, but do not want to take on the job that is described to them.

·         Research what you cannot ask in an interview in your state.

New Volunteers!

·         Introduce Volunteers to staff members

·         Give a tour

·         Emergency exits

·         Staff Room

·         Information packet

·         Volunteer mission statement

·         Confidentiality

·         Organizational chart

·         Key contacts

·         Key telephone numbers

·         Emergency procedures

·         Map of the library

Procedures/Housekeeping

·         Where to park

·         Schedules

·         Assignments

·         Time sheets

·         Where to store personal items

·         Use of the library telephone or copiers for personal use

·         Any other information needed

Training is necessary for success!

Managing volunteers takes discipline.
The Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 grants immunity from personal liabilities that happen in the scope of their job.

Recognition

·         Thank you note

·         Verbal thank you

·         Post pictures on websites or bulletins boards

·         Formal ceremony

·         Certificates

·         Small gifts

·         Stars with volunteers names in entryway

Records

·         Develop a folder

·         Application

·         Emergency contacts

·         Interview notes

·         Record of hours volunteered

Resources

Managing library volunteers

Preston Driggers and Eileen dumas

Transforminglifeafter50.org/tools-ideas/volunteers

WebJunction:  Webinar Innovative use of skilled volunteers
October 19 2011 1:00

Remember three things:

1.    Volunteers expand the reach of your library and build support within the community

2.    Volunteer Match www.volunteermatch.org

3.    We have barely scratch the surface  look for more information

Implement a volunteer program!

What do you do if someone wants to volunteer and you know you don’t want them?

·         Must have a board-approved volunteer policy that states that there is not automatically position for every volunteer

·         Libraries do not have to accept volunteers that have to fulfill community service requirements – talk to your county courts

Screen, screen, screen Volunteers, especially when working with children (registered sex offenders)