Volunteer Wisconsin Organizational Volunteer Engagement Standards of Excellence
Planning
Volunteers have a defined and integral role in meeting the mission and strategic direction of the organization. Planning for volunteers takes place across the organization including the development of well-defined roles, time commitments, and risk management considerations. Volunteers are engaged to meet true and identified community needs balancing the role for volunteers of various skills and interests.
Recruitment
The organization is flexible in how volunteers can get involved including online access, microvolunteering, team-based, in-person, telephone, seasonal, skill-based, one-time or ongoing commitments. Volunteers and your volunteer recruitment strategies reflect the diversity of the community and the community populations served. Volunteers are screened taking into consideration the skills required, background checks if working with vulnerable populations or information, and availability to meet the required time commitment and hours.
Training
A volunteer handbook is available and provides an overview of the organizations policies, code of ethics, and any important information volunteers need to know before committing to volunteering with the organization. A consistent orientation is provided to all volunteers providing them with the context for their service and how it is meaningful in meeting your organizations mission. Training and ongoing supervision is provided to volunteers consistent with the volunteers skills and experience.
Resources
Adequate financial resources are committed to volunteer engagement to ensure volunteers and staff has the resources do their jobs effectively. A committed staff person oversees volunteer coordination and maintains frequent communication with volunteers. Professional development on volunteer management is provided for staff. Staff understands their role in managing volunteers for the organization and it is integrated into staff job descriptions and performance evaluation.
Recognition and Evaluation
Volunteers are valued, their work is acknowledged, and they are recognized. Volunteer involvement is examined and improved on an ongoing basis including providing opportunity for volunteer input. The organization maintains record keeping on volunteer impact and hours served and reports the information in a public format.
*Standards created through the collective experience from members of the Volunteer Center Association of Wisconsin and Volunteer Wisconsin in addition to resources including Points of Light Changing the Paradigm, Service Jam White Paper, Department of Communities, Queensland, Reimagining Service Principles, and Energize 12 Elements.
