CFRE Exam: Volunteer Involvement

CFRE Exam: Volunteer Involvement What is a volunteer? - ✔✔anyone who works for an organization or cause without compensation Why include volunteers in fundraising? - ✔✔Staff can't do it all Peer to peer cultivation/so ...

CFRE Exam: Volunteer Involvement What is a volunteer? - ✔✔anyone who works for an organization or cause without compensation Why include volunteers in fundraising? - ✔✔Staff can't do it all Peer to peer cultivation/solicitation is more effective Knowledge or connections staff doesn't have Shows support for the organization's mission What structures need to be in place before you recruit volunteers? - ✔✔Structure for recruiting How to train them Job descriptions How to match volunteers with jobs How they will be recognized How to evaluate their job performance How to replace them What's the breakdown in responsibility between staff and volunteers? - ✔✔Staff - implement policies set by board and manage day to day operations Volunteers - leadership and fundraising -ensure organization stays financially sound -set policies and make sure they're carried out represent the organization's stakeholders -aid and support fundraising Why do people volunteer? - ✔✔Their employer encouraged them to do so. They have a desire to develop skills or expertise. They want to build personal relationships. They want to gain status by showing social involvement. They have a desire to make a difference. They were asked. What are the areas of a nonprofit where people can volunteer? - ✔✔Governance, Program Support or Development. Why is it important to have volunteers involved in development planning? - ✔✔Having volunteers involved in development increases the credibility of development efforts, and helps strengthen the organizations link to the community, by bringing outside input into the development process. Why do volunteers desire to be involved in fundraising and why is is essential? - ✔✔They want to be involved They are close to the organization They are in the best position to ask others to give They have the respect of others Comfortable asking others to join the team What is the profile of a good volunteer? - ✔✔A good volunteer typically has leadership skills, is visible among stakeholders, has a dedication to the cause, has time to invest, and a knowledge of stakeholders and prospects What are good places to look for volunteers? - ✔✔Users of organization programs Governance bodies Existing donors Community leaders people interested in professional groups Event attendees Volunteer coordination agencies Media communications word of mouth What are the ways to identify and recruit volunteers? - ✔✔Ask don't assume. Be clear when explaining expectations Choose the right recruiting method Ensure the prospective volunteer is fully briefed recap the expectations on both sides What are some concerns volunteers have before committing? - ✔✔There's a competition for their time and services volunteers tend to what shorter commitments while organizations want greater commitment younger generations want hands on experience they don't feel they have the expertise they have concerns about personal liability What are staff obligations to volunteers? - ✔✔Empower them Lead while appearing to follow Provide opportunities for meaningful work Disclose appropriate info Provide adequate orientation and trainings Provide job descriptions Conduct performance evaluations Give effective feedback Explain impact and support their work Provide appropriate and frequent recognition, show the impact of their work, get community members to thank them personally. Know the nonprofit and philanthropic business as professionals, and provide volunteers the guidance they need to succeed. What are staff expectations of volunteers? - ✔✔Dedication Complete work Access to their network Access to information they may have as professionals in a related field Insight into their thoughts about the organization and it's effectiveness Attendance when requested Enthusiasm for the organization and it's work Loyalty Confidentiality when necessary What are Volunteer expectations of staff? - ✔✔be professional Recognize value of volunteers provide training What are some of the ways adults learn? - ✔✔They need to know the relevancy of what they're learning about They want to bring their life experience to the learning opportunity They have to be actively engaged What elements should be included in basic volunteer orientation - ✔✔Overview of philanthropy organization history mission, vision and purpose financials and financial issues overview of what volunteers can expect from staff overview of what staff can expect from volunteers opportunities for involvement within job how volunteer assignments are made requirements for further training What should be included in the training volunteers for solicitations? - ✔✔-thorough understanding of the case statements and development process -have a deadline for making personal contribution -understanding of individual being approached - their motivations, values and linkage to cause -context in which gift is being requested - how it will be used and what it will accomplish -donor history, rating, etc. -techniques for asking for gifts -reporting mechanisms used by organization -deadline for making class/solicitations -role-playing How do you make a good match between volunteer and job? - ✔✔Find out what they enjoy and what they're good at Where and how they'd like to work goals for volunteering reasons for getting involved time available to contribute level of commitment What are good strategies to keep volunteers engaged? - ✔✔set realistic goals for them specify responsibilities and empower them recognize their efforts provide opportunities to make a difference include them in decision making provide work that matters help them make effective use of their time. Why is volunteer performance feedback important? - ✔✔Volunteers want feedback on their performance and they want to give feedback about the organization both of these things should be facilitated as part of the volunteer program. Allows an organization to continue to match volunteers to their interest area if this hasn't been done previously, or if the volunteer is finding that they're not enjoying the work they've been asked to complete. Helps to clarifies expectations of both volunteers and the organization. Setting up clear expectations makes for better work, and happier volunteers. Identifies areas where assistance or training is needed. Ongoing evaluation allows professional staff the opportunity to intervene to make a volunteers work more effective, and provide further training. Provides encouragement to volunteers. It allows the organization to identify whats working well, and thank the volunteer for their efforts. Provides a forum for two-way communication Why do volunteers loose interest? - ✔✔Their contributions aren't acknowledged. They don't have the training or information necessary to be successful. Organizations treat volunteers as a means to an end, rather than as individuals. They aren't given meaningful work, and don't feel like they're making a difference. What does volunteer performance feedback demonstrate to the volunteers? - ✔✔Performance evaluation for volunteers demonstrates that the organization is interested volunteers which helps retain them, it also helps develop their skills, one of the key goals of many volunteer. How should organization recognize volunteers? - ✔✔Recognition should be proportionate to the amount of level of service It should be appropriate to the person and something that he or she is comfortable receiving, and something that will make them excited to continue their service to the organization. The organization should be creative and find as many ways as possible to recognize volunteers at events, through publicity or through private congratulations. Why is recognition important? - ✔✔Many people choose to volunteer because of a desire for recognition, we need to provide that recognition in order to keep our volunteers. What are the three categories of recognition? - ✔✔Personal attention: cards, notes, calls Public attention: awards, publicity incentives: token gifts What is the support provided by staff in volunteer solicitation? - ✔✔solid training preparing campaign materials teaming volunteers and prospects reporting successes preparing letters applying pressure when needed What are some of the ways volunteers can be involved in fundraising? - ✔✔Special event chair or committee member Development committee member Chair of a campaign or drive Prospect advisory committee Phone-a-thon/Thank-a-thon volunteer Campaign worker Host of a fundraising event Personal solicitor of peers who are also prospects Where are some good places to look for fundraising volunteers? - ✔✔Board of Directors or Trustees Campaign feasibility study participants, or focus group participants Members of your organization, corporate donors, alumni, friends of organization Community leaders Constituents who benefit from organizations programs. Volunteers who are working in other parts of the organization who have a positive experience. Existing donors Development committee members Professional or service group members Event attendee Who can be a good fundraising volunteer? - ✔✔Virtually anyone that has contact with the organization. The main qualifier is a passion for the mission. What are strategic ways to pick fundraising volunteers? - ✔✔People are more likely to give to people in their peer group, so identify development volunteers who match the demographic profile of your prospective donors. What is the highest level of volunteer service? - ✔✔Board Governance What is the Board of governance? - ✔✔The Board of Directors is the legal corporate entity of the nonprofit organization and is morally accountable to the community. What are some of the responsibilities of the board? - ✔✔Guarantee faithfulness to the mission of the organization Set policy, establish direction and set short and long-term goals Appoint, support and evaluate the CEO Ensure fiscal integrity and financial health Oversee operational program Represent the organization in the community and represent the community in the organization. When participating in a fundraising role they should ideally be both askers and givers. What is the board's role in fundraising? - ✔✔Determine, authorize and oversee the need for funds Determine purpose and justification for fund use Determine investment strategies and fund managers Approve fund allocations What are some of the factors to consider when recruiting new board member? - ✔✔areas of expertise, professional skills, geographical location, to connection to the community of clients served, standing and connections within the community as a whole. You want a diverse and representative group of Board Members, who have an ability to listen, analyze, and creatively work with each other. They must have a willingness to actively participate in governance, and get involved in the organization. What are some of the roles of volunteers in cultivating relationships? - ✔✔help identify and cultivate prospects open doors for gift specialists advocate for the organization's programs