We recognize that finding time to develop, customize and maintain a new volunteer welcome and orientation process can be difficult, especially for small organizations with few or no staff. Although they rely on volunteers, the staff or volunteer leaders are often time and resource-challenged.<\/p>\n
So we\u2019ve developed this New Volunteer Checklist to help you get started. Take a look through our checklist and check off the items you\u2019ve got covered (for a great sense of accomplishment); identify items you need to address; or use this as a jumping off point for your own volunteer orientation \u201cto do\u201d list.<\/p>\n
For more details, you can also check out our article\u00a0\u00a0Volunteer Orientation and Training for Nonprofits: The Ultimate Guide<\/a>, which offers additional ideas and resources.<\/p>\n How will you get to know the new volunteer?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2610 Did you capture information about the volunteers in the screening process?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610 Is the volunteer a member or supporter \u2013 whose profile will be available in your membership database<\/a>?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Who should be involved in the welcome and orientation process?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Does each committee or event chair provide a one-on-one welcome for their new team members?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610\u00a0Do you provide mentors or volunteer buddies to help welcome and orient new volunteers?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Do you have a structure in place for communication and performance management?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do team or committee leaders perform regular check-ins with volunteers?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610\u00a0Does each new volunteer have an assigned coordinator or manager as a key contact?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n What tools and resources will you need?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2610 Does each volunteer role have a job description?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610\u00a0Do you have a volunteer manual?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610\u00a0Do you have a process in place to welcome new recruits?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610\u00a0Is someone assigned to greet the new volunteer in person?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2610\u00a0Did every remote volunteer receive a welcome email with everything they need to know?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Did every remote volunteer receive all the necessary training and onboarding materials via email?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Did you set up a group introductory call to replace an in-person meeting?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Does every remote volunteer have the necessary software tools, access to online communication channels (ex: Teams, Slack) and all the login information?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do remote volunteers have a contact person they can reach out to at any point if they have questions or need help?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do remote volunteers have an online space where they can engage and support each other?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Does your orientation or onboarding process inspire:<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Can you customize your orientation based on…<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Have you considered\u00a0non-traditional ways of providing orientation information? For example:<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do your orientation materials include:<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Does your training style match your volunteers\u2019 needs? For example…<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Are you overwhelming new recruits with too much material?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do you have a process for checking in with volunteers and offering feedback?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do you recognize volunteer efforts and explain how these are making a difference at your organization?<\/p>\n \u2610\u00a0Do you thank volunteers often and sincerely?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We hope this volunteer checklist helps you fine-tune your existing volunteer onboarding process or acts as a roadmap for developing a consistent new process to welcome new volunteers. Best of luck with your new volunteers!<\/p>\n Check out these additional resources:<\/p>\n![\"Volunteer](\"https:\/\/www.wildapricot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/volunteer-recruitment-checklistA7CB5C13965F.jpg?v=2\" "\\"Volunteer")
<\/a><\/p>\nTake a look through the following checklist \u2013 scan it or print it out, then:<\/h4>\n
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Pre-planning:<\/h2>\n
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Making new volunteers feel welcome:<\/h2>\n
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Onboarding remote volunteers:<\/h2>\n
Orientation or onboarding that inspires and empowers:<\/h2>\n
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Training that motivates and engages volunteers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Saying thank you and recognizing volunteers’ efforts:<\/h2>\n
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![\"Volunteer](\"https:\/\/www.wildapricot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/volunteer-recruitment-checklistA7CB5C13965F.jpg?\" "\\"Volunteer")
<\/a><\/p>\nWant more planning tips and ideas?<\/h3>\n
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