Volunteers are interested in work that provides them with significant and interesting experiences. Learn to meet this challenge and develop meaningful assignments for volunteers—work that benefits both the organization and satisfies today’s volunteer.

Learning Objectives

After completing the seminar and discussing its content, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance that volunteers attach to the specific aspects of the work they will be asked to do and the challenges facing today's volunteers even when they wish to support a cause
• Understand what elements of work may interest a volunteer and how that interest may differ among volunteers
• Explore different methods of developing tasks through which volunteers may make a positive contribution
• Be creative in designing a wide range of volunteer activities to meet both the needs of the organization/clients and the interests of many types of volunteers

Ideal Audience

Anyone (paid or volunteer) who directly supervises or otherwise works with volunteers within an organization or project.

Content Overview

If you're attempting to expand the contribution that volunteers make to your organization, or to update the ways in which volunteers are involved, this seminar will help you refine your thinking and your approach. This seminar will examine how to developing meaningful assignments for volunteers – work that benefits both the organization and satisfies today's volunteers. Widen your perspective on what volunteers can contribute.

Topics to be covered include:

• Why volunteer work design is so critical to volunteer program success
• What do volunteers want from a volunteer assignment?
• What constraints restrict volunteers from accepting work even when they support the organization and want to help?
• How can an organization develop interesting and meaningful roles for volunteers?
• What kind of tasks best fit with the needs and interests of today’s volunteers?
• How can we best describe and outline work assignments for volunteers?
• Ways to approach volunteer work design with creativity and high expectations