Training Tips
If volunteers are ready to work, you will need to make sure they are versed in what they need to do. Not unlike a paying position, job descriptions should be prepared, and volunteers should be trained in how they can best complete tasks. Keep it simple so you don't intimidate new volunteers. Remember, you will also find some people who will go beyond the call of their duties.
It is also important to try to assess the skill level and ability of your volunteers in advance so as not to insult anyone or appear condescending. Find out what they have experience in and, more importantly, what they enjoy doing. For more specific or specialized tasks, such as maintaining the budget or handling the accounting procedures, be selective from the start and find someone with both the necessary experience and the ongoing dedication to the organization or the cause. Switching treasurers midway through a fundraising effort is not easy and lends itself to errors in accounting.
If you are working with a nonprofit organization, board members should be encouraged to help find someone with an accounting background. If you are running a school fundraiser, you need to network through teachers and school administrators to see if they have someone in mind. Volunteers with experience in a particular area may need training in some aspects of your organization and its goals, but don't try to dictate the job to her. Rely on her expertise in the area — that's why you're bringing her on board.
Present the big picture; don't just train volunteers to do a specific task. Get them acquainted with the overall work being done by your organization or group so they have a better understanding of the group's goals and feel a part of the overall group.
Online Training
Online tools bring fundraising to new heights, including training. Training modules or handbooks for volunteers can be posted online. By posting a manual online, an organization can save money on printing costs and ensure volunteers have access to the latest updates. What's more, an organization can provide critical information to virtual volunteers who contribute to your cause from around the world and stay connected through their Internet connection. Some organizations also train volunteers via e-mail. However, online documentation or training by e-mail can sometimes get lost in translation. Phone conversations can serve to clarify instructions and help ensure volunteers fully understand their roles.
