Best Practices - Volunteers

Volunteering is one of the essential ways the Y engages people and helps them to be healthy, confident, and connected to others. The role of volunteers distinguishes the Y as a place where everyone can take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change in the community. At the Y, volunteer development is everyone’s job. A strong partnership between volunteers and staff is essential to operating effective and cause-driven programs. To achieve that partnership, Ys prepare for and manage environments in which staff and volunteers work together in clearly defined roles to advance the Y’s cause. This requires everyone’s commitment to provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers that match their interests and to ensure the operational and financial support to engage, manage, and recognize program volunteers.

 

1. VOLUNTEER PLANNING - To provide an environment where everyone can thrive, YMCAs maintain an infrastructure and culture to support program volunteers in the delivery of programs focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

· Volunteer development is incorporated into performance expectations, and training opportunities are provided for all staff.

· Federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to volunteers are understood and followed, and insurance company review is conducted to ensure adequate risk management practices.

· Policies and procedures are followed for all program volunteer positions, including background checks, orientation, recognition, and job descriptions, where appropriate.

· Adequate records are kept for each volunteer.

2. VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT - To engage and inspire their communities, YMCAs communicate to their membership and community about volunteer opportunities that connect to their passions and talents.

· Recruitment materials are used to communicate a clear and compelling case for need, and link to the passions and talents of prospective volunteers.

· Information is captured from prospective volunteers.

· A volunteer orientation is in place to educate volunteers.

3. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION - By tracking and celebrating individual volunteers’ excellence, innovation, commitment, and impact on both organization and community, Ys increase the trust, support, and engagement of their communities.

· Volunteers receive routine written and informal assessments as appropriate to their roles and terms of service.

· Opportunities are identified for volunteers to have varied experiences and training that meet their passions and talents.

· A recognition program is in place for those who consistently model Y values and relationship building.

· Opportunities are provided for volunteers to give input and suggestions for improvement. Evaluations or satisfaction surveys and exit interviews are used to understand the needs and experiences of volunteers. Findings are incorporated into the volunteer process.

4. VOLUNTEER TRACKING Cause-driven Ys track volunteers’ service and combine that data with compelling stories to inspire and advocate on behalf of the Y’s cause.

· Volunteer hours are reported on the community benefit assessment to the State Alliance, and this information is used to report the number of hours collectively to the board and community.

· Community benefit information is used to report volunteer information in the annual report to YMCA of the USA.

· The number of volunteers or volunteer hours is included in all grant application proposals.