13 Volunteer Management
Volunteers are people who are involved - outside of work and without getting paid - for the community or other people. We should not take volunteers for granted, which is why a few points need to be considered when working with them.
Volunteers need to get something out of their commitment; a lot can be offered. Here are some incentives that might boost motivation - the list is far from complete!
- Appreciation: Volunteers have a right to personal and public appreciation of their work. This could mean e.g. awarding social time certificates, covering expenses, good working conditions, co-decision, having a responsible person for volunteers, presenting the work done in the annual report, etc.
- Learning: You can learn a lot while volunteering (e.g. chairing meetings, looking after other people, working with the media, raising funds, acquiring topical knowledge, conflict management, intercultural skills, ...) and this should be promoted.
- Having fun: encourage a nice atmosphere: common activities, spending some down-time together, celebrate successes, ... are all important.
- Networking: You will meet people through volunteering who may be important for your private or professional career.
Volunteers can be found through various channels: advertisements, e-mails, agencies, etc. Most effective is still asking someone personally. Before you ask, you need to be aware what kind of person you are looking for: what skills are required, what can you offer, how much time will they need...
A tip: it is usually easier to find volunteers for a limited amount of time - and they even might stay!
Instruments and links
Youth leave: Employers must give their young employees (under 30) a week of unpaid leave for voluntary commitment in children or youth work.
www.jugendurlaub.ch (in German)
Social time certificate: The Social time certificate visualises volunteer work. Volunteer work is thus enhanced. Every volunteer should have a Social time booklet where their voluneer commitment is registered.
www.sozialzeitausweis.ch (in German)
These practical tips will be helpful for planning a volunteer's stay abroad.
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/volunteers/Volunteers_Volunteering.htm
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