MANAGING YOUTH VOLUNTEERS

AGENDA 5 Elements of Volunteer Management Planning your youth volunteer program Recruiting youth Orienting and training youth volunteers Supervising and recognizing youth volunteers Evaluating your youth volunteer program Questions

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing Volunteers 5.Evaluating Volunteer Programs

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training YOUTH Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers 5.Evaluating YOUTH Volunteer Programs

PLANNING A YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program

PLANNING RESOURCES 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program

START BY ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program Why is it important to engage youth as volunteers in your community?

WHEN YOUTH VOLUNTEER… 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program 1. Be involved as adults. 2. Benefit from it. 3. Be better citizens. 4. Enhance the perceptions of adults. They will

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program What could young people do for your organization?

BENEFITS OF ENGAGING YOUTH 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program Improve your organizational culture Invest in the future Bring new energy & specialized skills Tackle tough chores Great for PR

PROS & CONS OF YOUNG VOLUNTEERS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program What makes you excited to engage young people in your work? What is your biggest hesitation/fear about engaging young volunteers at your organization?

PREPARE YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR YOUTH INVOLVEMENT 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program Seek broad buy-in Host staff trainings Risk management Have basic systems in place Start small

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing Volunteers 5.Evaluating Volunteer Programs

RECRUITING YOUNG VOLUNTEERS 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers

YOUNG PEOPLE FIND SERVICE TO BE MEANINGFUL WHEN…. It is personally relevant to them. The activity is age-appropriate and interesting/engaging. There is a social element. 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE VOLUNTEER? They want to give back. For club/school hours. Feeling that they are making a difference. College applications. Their friends volunteer. As volunteer managers, how can we use this to our advantage? 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers

BARRIERS TO YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers Erratic, unpredictable schedules Lack of free time Lack of transportation Lack of knowledge or skill

RETAINING YOUTH VOLUNTEERS 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers #1 Reason for not volunteering: Lack of time. #1 Reason for not volunteering: Lack of time. Offer Options. Knowledge Needed Skills Needed Activity Level Frequency Shift Time Shift Length Commitment Level

PROJECT IDEAS FOR YOUTH 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers Drives (food, clothing, children’s items, etc.) Custom crates, blankets and treats for animal shelter Start a community garden- donate the food. Host a healthy cooking class for friends or neighbors Plant treesPen pal programs Send care packages to deployed troops, veterans, or wounded soldiers. Make cards for the senior center Pick up trash and clean your neighborhood.

TIPS FOR RECRUITING YOUNG PEOPLE 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers Use language that makes sense Social Media Partner with schools Meet young people where they are

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing Volunteers 5.Evaluating Volunteer Programs

ORIENTING & TRAINING YOUNG VOLUNTEERS 3.Orienting and Training YOUTH Volunteers

OrientationTraining VS

ORIENTATION ELEMENTS 3.Orienting and Training YOUTH Volunteers Cause: Why should I be volunteering here? System: How will I be volunteering here? Social: Where do I fit in? Explain the ‘why’ Highlight development of skills and work experience. Provide concise information that is relevant to their role. Spend time on this item because it is important to youth.

TRAINING ELEMENTS 3.Orienting and Training YOUTH Volunteers The process of providing youth volunteers with the ability to perform specific types of work Skills Attitudes Knowledge

TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR ORIENTATION & TRAINING 3.Orienting and Training YOUTH Volunteers Pick a good time Adapt your handouts Consider a volunteer mentor Cover relevant processes Introduce yourself to parent/guardian Encourage questions Be thorough Build in physical activity Keep it informal

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing Volunteers 5.Evaluating Volunteer Programs

SUPERVISING & RECOGNIZING YOUTH VOLUNTEERS 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers

ACTIVITY: THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPERVISION 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers Think of a negative volunteer/work experience you had as a youth o To what extent did your supervisor contribute? Think of a really great volunteer/work experience you had as a youth o To what extent did your supervisor help contribute?

STEPS IN SUPERVISING VOLUNTEERS 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers  Step 1: Define and Communicate Clear Expectations  Step 2: Guide and Support Volunteers  Step 3: Ensure that Volunteers Feel Rewarded and Recognized

TIPS FOR SUPERVISING TEEN VOLUNTEERS 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers Step 1: Define & Communicate Clear Expectations Be specific. Focus on policies and procedures Identify who they can approach for questions.

TIPS FOR SUPERVISING TEEN VOLUNTEERS 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers Step 2: Guide & Support Be encouraging Support, don’t control. Assign a mentor Schedule regular check-in’s Take care of the person, not the task. If you take care of the person, they will take care of the task.

TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING YOUTH VOLUNTEERS 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers Step 3: Ensure Volunteers Feel Recognized Use traditional & social media Send a note to their school or parent Nominate them for an award. Offer leadership opportunities Provide a small gift

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing Volunteers 5.Evaluating Volunteer Programs

EVALUATING YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS 5.Evaluating YOUTH Volunteer Programs

TIPS FOR EVALUATING YOUTH AS VOLUNTEERS 5.Evaluating YOUTH Volunteer Programs Reflection vs. Evaluation Consider a self-assessment tool Diversify your feedback Be specific Focus on work skills AND contribution

5 ELEMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 1. Planning a YOUTH Volunteer Program 2.Recruiting and Placing YOUTH Volunteers 3.Orienting and Training YOUTH Volunteers and Staff 4.Supervising and Recognizing YOUTH Volunteers 5.Evaluating YOUTH Volunteer Programs

QUESTIONS?

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