Orienting Staff to Volunteers

2. Provide a brief history of the volunteer program.

3. Explain who your volunteers are and what their backgrounds are.

4. Erase any stereotypical images of volunteers.

5. Explain what volunteers contribute to the organization.

6. Explain types of activities normally done and not done by volunteers.

7. Explain in depth the role of the staff in volunteer job design, recruitment, screening, acceptance, training and supervision.

8. Give suggestions on how to evaluate volunteer performance.

9. Tell what to do about problem volunteers.

10. Tell how to recognize and reward good volunteers.

11. Give examples of what not to do with volunteers.

12. Tell what to do if you want more volunteers.

13. Clearly explain differences in volunteer coordinator and staff roles.

14. Clarify who supervises who about what.

15. Explain what's in it for staff if volunteer program works.

16. Give examples of staff/departments who have benefited from use of volunteers.

17. Involve management, volunteers, and other staff in performing the orientation.