About this event

Does your organization utilize volunteers? Would it surprise you to learn that 1/3 of those who volunteer have such an unsatisfactory experience and never return to volunteer? Another 1/3 have such a negative experience they search for another organization for their involvement. This is frustrating not only to volunteers but also to the organizations that wish to retain volunteer help. It doesn’t have to be this way.

This five-session interactive series will help you identify ways to further your mission through a robust volunteer program. We’ll cover recruitment, screening, retention, recognition, and volunteers in a virtual setting and even discuss how to handle those challenging volunteers. Learn how a successful volunteer program positively impacts your organization’s bottom line.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Understand motivations that matter to volunteers, assess needs, and customize opportunities.
• Gain a complete understanding of the components needed for successful volunteer engagement.
• Understand the connection between volunteers and fiscal benefits.
• Begin a personalized action plan outlining priorities and steps to take to achieve greater volunteer engagement.

Additional Guidelines

• This learning cohort is intended to support rural Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. 
• Participants make a commitment to attend all sessions so we can collectively work together and build a network of support. 
• Conversations will be held as confidential to allow for depth and breadth of exploration.
• Limit is 15 individuals per cohort with no more than two representatives from one organization.

Outline

1. March 5, 2024: Welcome, introductions, community agreements, discuss current climate related to volunteerism.
2. March 12, 2024: Discussion of volunteer motivations, determining needs, screening, volunteers in a virtual setting.
3. March 19, 2024: Continue discussion of recruitment to include where and how to recruit. Cover how to make presentations that get results.
4. March 26, 2024: Training tips/methods and recognition, fiscal benefits.
5. April 2, 2024: How to handle challenging volunteers and putting it all together.

NAO is committed to creating inclusive learning environments and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Automatic closed captioning via Zoom is turned on by default for all NAO virtual sessions. For other accommodation requests, please contact us at [email protected]. Advanced notice of at least 10 days is appreciated.

Thank You Funders

Funders: The Ford Family Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

You must be logged in to your NAO account to receive the member discount. 

You will receive a registration confirmation email. A link to access each weekly virtual cohort session will be sent to registered participants by the Cohort Leader prior to each session.

If you have questions or trouble registering, contact [email protected].