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Create your VolunteerMatch Profile –

and Get Matched!

Jennifer Bennett, CVA, Senior Manager, Education & Training

Matt Wallace, Senior Associate, Nonprofit Relations

To hear the presentation by phone call (415) 655-0051

Access Code: 915-042-921

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Agenda

• Getting Started

• Important Things to Think About

• Finding Opportunities on VolunteerMatch

• Working with a Nonprofit

• Your Questions

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I Think I Want to Volunteer – Now What?

• How much time – really – can I share?

– Weekly, Monthly, One Time, Project Based

• What Professional Skills can I Share/Learn

– What is your favorite part of what your do?

– What career did you almost pursue?

• What Hobbies or Other Skills can I Share/Learn?

– Things you might never do for pay, but enjoy

– Gardening, Event Planning, Animal Care

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How do I Find the Right Opportunity for Me?

• VolunteerMatch

– Basic Search

– Keyword Search

– Advanced Search

– Create your Profile

• Other Places to Find Opportunities

– Ask your friends – most successful referrals come from other

volunteers

– Your church, school, professional organization

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Evaluating Opportunities

• Good Opportunities Should Tell You

– What you’ll be doing

– What training or experience you need – if any

– Time commitment

– And most importantly Why

• It may be a Red Flag if Opportunities have

– Spelling and grammar errors

– Lack of details

– Jargon

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I Clicked ‘I Want to Help’ – What Happens Now?

• Ideally – the volunteer manager will contact you in 24

hours

But What if they Don’t….

• Take the Initiative – Call or Email

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Volunteer Screening Practices

• Interview

– May be lengthy or informal depending on the position

• Background Checks, Reference Checks

– Especially if working with at-risk populations: children, elderly

• Health Checks

– Schools, Hospitals

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Orientations and Trainings

• Orientations

– Introduce you to the organization

– Provide insight into culture

– Standards and Norms

• Trainings

– Should match the volunteer position

– May be lengthy

– May only happen on certain days or times

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What Should I Ask my Volunteer Manager?

• Job Specific Questions

– When will the job be done?

– What training will I need?

– Is there an opportunity for more involvement?

– Who will I be working with/Reporting to?

• Cultural Questions

– How flexible is the schedule? What if I have travel plans?

– How is success measured and acknowledged?

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What Should I Ask Myself?

• Logistical Questions

– Can I commit to this schedule?

– Am I able to complete this project?

– What are my ‘deal breakers’?

• Philosophical Questions

– Do I believe in this organization’s mission?

– How will I know I’ve made a difference?

– Are these people I want to work with?

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Keys to Success

• Know what you can realistically commit to – Then Do It!

– Not more, not less

• Communication

– If something is unclear, ask.

– If you feel that the position is not a good fit – say that.

• Keep an open mind

– Use caution when ‘suggesting’ new ideas

– Use tact

– Be Patient

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Thanks for attending!

Questions?

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Thanks for attending!

Join us online:

Like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VolunteerMatch

Follow us on Twitter: @VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch Community

Ask and answer questions after the webinar – use keywords Great Volunteer

http://community.volunteermatch.org/volunteer

For any questions contact:

Jennifer Bennett

(415) 321-3639

@JenBennettCVA

jbennett@volunteermatch.org