Description
Standards for Excellence Educational Resource Packer #17 3.0
Published 2025
Leadership and Operations: Managing Volunteers
Preamble 2
Leadership and Operational Management Part 4B: Managing Volunteers 7
17.1: The Volunteer: One of a Nonprofit’s Greatest Assets 7
17.1.1 Volunteers: Is your nonprofit ready for them? 8
17.1.2: Types of Volunteers: Episodic/Special Event and Ongoing 8
17.1.3: Preparing for incorporating volunteers into an organization's efforts 8
17.1.4: Volunteer Program Design 9
17.1.5: Where to Find Volunteers 10
17.1.6: The Power of the Volunteer Hour 10
17.1.7: Volunteer Record Keeping 10
17.1.8: Assessing and using the demographics of volunteers for reporting purposes 11
17.1.9 Can Nonprofits Engage Unpaid Interns? 11
17.2 Managing Volunteers 12
17.2.1: Initial Assessment or Screening of Volunteers 12
17.2.2: Motivating and Maintaining Volunteers 14
17.2.3: Assigning and Training Volunteers for Appropriate Work Responsibilities 15
17.2.4: Ongoing Supervision and Evaluation 16
17.2.5: Recognition and Opportunities for Advancement of Volunteers 16
17.2.6: Volunteer Policies 17
17.2.7: Volunteer feedback 19
17.2.8: Reasonable accommodations for volunteers 20
17.3: Thanking and Acknowledging the Contributions of Volunteers 21
17.3.1: Volunteers as "Ambassadors" -- Long After They Leave 21
17.3.2: Appreciation events 22
17.3.3: Gifts 22
17.3.4: Thank You Notes and Letters 23
17.3.5: Thanking Board Members for Volunteer Service 23
Selected Resources for Managing Volunteers 24
Books and Articles 24
Websites 24
Additional Websites for Internship Program Resources 26
Attachments: 26
Attachment 17A: Model Volunteer Program Policies and Procedures 27
Attachment 17B: Position Description for Volunteer Coordinator 34
Attachment 17C: Position Description for Volunteer Coordinator 37
Attachment 17D: Sample Volunteer Agreement 38
Attachment 17E: Sample Volunteer Intern Agreement 41
Attachment 17F: Volunteer Background Check Release Form 44
Attachment 17G: Sample Volunteer Application 45
Attachment 17H: Sample Volunteer Job Description Template 46
Attachment 17I: Volunteer Form Demographic Questions 47
