Designing Volunteer Training Preparing and supporting volunteers for success

Agenda  Why?  What?  When?  How?

“Training” is any way you help your volunteers develop the attitudes, knowledge and skills they need to complete their volunteer tasks.

However you train your volunteers, be thoughtful, deliberate and consistent.

Why Train Volunteers?

Read the comment. Come up with TWO possible reponses.

Helpful Handout: You should train your volunteers because…  it adds credibility to the program for funders, parents, clients, etc.  it gives them the tools to do their job effectively

What needs to be in the training? How long should it be? What kind of snacks should we provide?

What needs to be in the training? First, determine the volunteer ROLE (What is the title on their job description?)

Role: Preschool Classroom Assistant 14

Helpful Handout: What are some possible volunteer roles?  Classroom assistant

What needs to be in the training? First, determine the volunteer role Next, generate a list of tasks for that role Assist in a preschool classroom Enable the children to reach their full potential as human beings

“But what do they DO?” Here lies Rob

 Choose a role, then list all of the possible tasks.

What attitudes, knowledge, and skills do volunteers need in order to complete those tasks?  Task: Help kids wash their hands before snack time  Attitudes – like preschoolers, have patience, realize that kids are at different developmental levels, understand that everything isn’t a learning opportunity  Knowledge – Basic understanding of what a 3, 4, 5 year old can do. For risk management, we must leave the bathroom door open if I am in there with the kids.  Skills –  Guide the kids through the hand-washing procedure.  Be able to occupy 11 kids in line while one is washing hands.  Be able to herd 11 kids out of the bathroom when one suddenly needs to use the toilet.

Pick a task. List the attitudes, knowledge and skills a volunteer would need to complete that task successfully. Pick another task. List the attitudes, knowledge and skills a volunteer would need to complete that task successfully.

When do they need to have the attitudes, knowledge and skills  Before they sign up to volunteer  Before their service  At the beginning of their service  During their service  At the end of their service

Helpful Handout: How can they gain the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they need…  live pre-service training  on-the-job training

Great Activities  Pick an attitude, piece of knowledge, or a skill and come up with an activity for developing it.

Assessment  Level one – volunteer satisfaction  Level two – volunteer learning  Level three – volunteer application of skills learned  Level four – student improvement

Create a training plan

Plan  Why do we need volunteers?  Volunteer roles  Volunteer tasks  Timeline of training needs  Delivery format  Activities  Assessment

Training Resources  In-house  You  Teachers / Other staff  Out-house  Training classes  Online classes  Videos  Print materials

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