Volunteer Project Leader Training & pairing Meeting

What is the Volunteer Project Leader Program What is the Volunteer Project Leader Program? The goal of a VPL is to expand the capacity of what nonprofit agencies can do by helping to organize and plan large projects to incorporate groups of volunteers, better use the skill set of volunteers, and meet needs of the nonprofit that might not ordinarily have been met. Description Volunteer Project Leaders are recruited and trained to work directly with nonprofit agencies to plan Day of Service volunteer projects. The volunteers work with the organizations to recruit volunteers, solicit supplies and materials, coordinate the day's events, and more. Managed in this way, the efforts of the volunteers and agencies prove to be highly successful in completing valuable projects and involving large numbers of employee volunteers in teambuilding community work. United Way of Larimer County coordinates VPL projects twice a year, for Make a Difference Day in October and for National Volunteer Month in April. The Need With Days of Service growing larger and more frequent, and with agencies’ daily workloads continuing to increase, it has become harder for nonprofits to organize one-day service events for large volunteer groups. Large projects often take many planning hours and finding the necessary resources to carry out the project can be challenging. Since 2004, the Volunteer Project Leader (VPL) program has connected individual volunteers with agencies to help organize successful large scale projects. With the help of a VPL, large projects can run more smoothly and the agency is more likely to fulfill their need with the volunteers, supplies and talents available. The Goals To build capacity of nonprofits to organize projects, especially for large groups. Effectively match volunteer skills to the need. Foster, promote, encourage and recognize volunteerism in our community. Provide an opportunity for community members to be introduced to agencies and form new relationships.

Days of Service United Way of Larimer County’s Volunteer Center coordinates VPL Projects twice a year, (For Make A Difference Day in October and National Volunteer Month in April) However, the long-term goal is to mobilize highly-skilled volunteers to lead projects year-round.

Key Dates and Checklist – Page 1 1 Key Dates and Checklist – Page 1 1. Roles & Responsibilities Agreement Signed – Due 9/8 2. Meet at Project Site & Begin Discussing Project – Prior to 9/22 2. Project Update & Additional Volunteer Needs – Due 9/29 3. Recruit Volunteers – September & October 4. Volunteer Reminder – One week before project 5. Make a Difference Week – October 23-29 6. Thank Volunteers – Within a few days after project 7. Final Items (Report, photos, binder) – Friday, May 5 8. Celebrate!! VPL Celebration Breakfast – 11/9

VPL & Agency Roles and Responsibilities Assist the nonprofit in brainstorming in-depth projects Assist in planning the details of the project Return all paperwork to United Way of Larimer County’s Volunteer Center on time Assist in recruiting volunteers for the project (coworkers, friends, family, etc) and ensure that volunteers are registered with the Volunteer Center Assist the nonprofit with the communication between the volunteers and the nonprofit contact Organize project-related details in order to ensure that the actual day of the event is successful, including back-up date(s) and projects Be present for the actual project to assist where needed and to manage the volunteers Take pictures of volunteers (if applicable) Provide snacks and water (if you wish) Assist the nonprofit in returning final paperwork to United Way of Larimer County’s Volunteer Center after the project date Possibly solicit donations/grants on behalf of yourself as a volunteer

Agency Pairings and Meeting Time Refer to the Project Description and Meeting Tips in your binder or on the web Brainstorm: Project idea and potential additional projects How best to utilize volunteers VPL-Agency Contact communication style Site visit date Possible project date(s) Other questions in Agency Meeting Tips

Getting Started: How to Organize a Volunteer Project 1. Discuss Volunteer Project 2. Determine the Facts 3. Get Ready 4. Day of Project 5. After the Project Handout: \\Solicit Volunteer Project >>Select an agency based on your interest area and skills you can offer to help >>Connect with an agency you would like to serve to inquire if there is a need >>Work directly with agency to plan a project >>Let agencies know who to contact with questions and keep open communication throughout the entire process >>Set up a schedule with the agency on when you will be meeting with them and for how long you plan to meet >>Make planning goals with agency and secure a timeline  

Top 10 Tips 1. Do your research 2. Plan ahead 3 Top 10 Tips 1. Do your research 2. Plan ahead  3. Set realistic expectations 4. Less is sometimes more 5. Communicate 6. Realize limitations 7. Utilize your skills 8. Expect the unexpected 9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help 10. Be Flexible Any words of wisdom from past VPLs??

eVolunteer VPL is the Project Contact - Updating your project - Recruiting/signing up your volunteers All resources are linked on this page: https://www.uwaylc.org/Post/Volunteer-Project-Leader-Resources

Log in as Agency Unless you have changed it, both User Name and Password should be the first letter of your first name + last name. Ex: jsmith

Click Opportunities

Project Update: Click on your Opportunity Title

Project Update: Update Information

Project Update: Click Calendar Icon to add Date/Time

Project Update: Add Date and Time/Shift

Tip: Hover over icon to see what they do Recruit/ Sign-Up Volunteers Option 1: Share opportunity link for volunteers to sign-up themselves This way, they are covered by liability! Tip: Hover over icon to see what they do

Recruit/Sign-Up Volunteers Option 2: Sign-up your volunteers by Creating a Team – Go to My Teams, Create Team, follow instructions This way, you will need to send the liability link.

Recruit/ Sign-Up Volunteers Option 2: 1. Select your team 2. Click VPL event 3. Find your project 4. Click Sign-up

Recruit/ Sign-Up Volunteers Fill in Team Members: Click on People Icon Click on ADD Will bring you to another screen to enter each individual Click ADD until team is full

All the resources at your fingertips. https://impact. uwaylc

Resources, Tips, and Ideas Planning Resources 1. VPL Time Sheet 2. Discounted Materials 3. Planning Worksheets 4. Key Activity Plan Resources, Tips, and Ideas Agency meeting tips Example email to volunteers Getting the most out of your community outreach Getting Started: How to organize a volunteer project Top 10 tips for organizing a volunteer project Benefits of volunteering Facts, questions, and tips for volunteering

Planning Resources

Questions: Questions?