Surprise! When Volunteers Do Things You Don’t Expect

Surprise! When Volunteers

Do Things You Don’t Expect

Volunteer Issues Committee of

Literacy Action Network

Volunteer Management Conference 2012

How do I handle this?

Discuss your experience with Volunteers

In small groups or pairs:Volunteers who are an excellent fit in your class or programVolunteers who have presented challenges

Prevention is the Key

First ImpressionsInformal Screening

First callBrief overview of programShare volunteer expectationsVolunteer motivations

Formal ScreeningVolunteer ApplicationsInterviewBackground/Reference Checks

OrientationPosition DescriptionsRights and ResponsibilitiesConduct AgreementConfidentiality AgreementSite tourCalendarCurriculum /Resources

Ongoing Feedback

It’s a two way streetVolunteers need feedbackProgram needs feedback

from volunteers

Exit InterviewsWhat can we learn from the experience?

What worked well?How can we improve?Will you come back or refer friends?

Alternatives to Firing

o Meet with the volunteero Documentation of the situationo Going Forward

Coach by Example, CounselingRe-Assign or Re-VitalizeRefer or Retire

Terminating a Volunteer– The Meeting!

PrivateQuick, direct and absoluteAnnounce, don’t argueDon’t counselFollow-up

ScenariosSmall Group discussion

Caught Earlier?Coaching opportunity?Risk Management approachBest Solution?

Discussion with everyone

Questions?

VOLUNTEER ISSUES COMMITTEECo-chairsMaryJo Bayliss (Metro South): MBayliss@bloomington.k12.mn.us Allison Runchey (MLC): arunchey@mnliteracy.org

Committee MembersTammi Bernard (Burnsville): TBERNARD@burnsville.k12.usGlenice Jones (Metro North): Glenice.Jones@anoka.k12.mn.usRuth Rodriguez (St.Paul): Ruth.Rodriguez@spps.orgNancy Thornbury nbthornbury@hclib.org(Franklin Learning Center, Minneapolis)

www.literacyactionnetwork.org

Thank you!

Literacy Action NetworkVolunteer Issues Committee

Excerpts from Handling Problem Volunteers, By Steve McCurley and Sue Vineyard, Heritage Arts Publishing/VMSystems. Found in the Energize website library at: http://www.energizeinc.com/art.html.

Excerpts from: How to Fire a Volunteer and Live to Tell About It - Document Author: Steve McCurley)