Submitted on January 15, 2007 by Carl Bromley,
Volunteer & Entrepreneur, Armstrong HFH and Local4All.com,
Kittanning, PA USA
Kudos for this article. Several years ago I put together a website to help
more volunteers and volunteer coordinators self-publish on the Internet
(local4all.com). Without the 'event page' for the Crooked Creek Triathlon
(cc.local4all.com), I wouldn't be able to be their volunteer race director
because there are so many questions that athletes have. The power of the
internet for me is to LEVERAGE my time... answers to questions can be TYPED
once and available to all.
Susan, thanks for all your informative articles.
Submitted on 15 July 2005 by Julie Brunette, Church, Volunteer, St. Louis/MO USA
I was encouraged and inspired to use the Internet more effectively after reading the article. When I read the questions at the end of the article however, it was clear to me that I haven't used the Internet much up to this point because the personal touch is missing. In my experience, the personal touch is a huge part of the package.
Submitted on 31July2003 by Tawanna Ward, Manager, Volunteer
Services, SEM Chapter, American Red Cross, Detroit, MI, USA
At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing
can be done, then they begin to hope that it can be done, then they
see that it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders
why it was not done centuries ago.--Francis Hodgson Burnett
This quote reminds me of the evolutionary use of the Internet to
support our volunteer programs. The Internet transforms how we do
business & links us to opportunities to harness the power availed
to us through this communication medium.
One of the barriers discussed has been how our supervisors value
our time on the Internet. This can definitely be a barrier to exploring
online opportunities. Executive management buy-in is important and
comes through continuous education, powerful praise and progress reports
on the benefits of using the Internet. One way to break down that
barrier is communicate the value of our time online and the link it
has to our mission goals & financial bottom line. Some examples
would be postage, printing and collaborating time saved, the ability
to do more in less time translating into more service for the same
dollar, etc.
I am a big proponent of using the Internet to strengthen our service
to the community and support our volunteer programs. This is a great
topic!
Submitted on
30July2003 by Karen Clark, Volunteer Coordinator, P.O.W.E.R., Pennsylvania,
USA
I have a couple thoughts about why volunteer
coordinators may not be taking full advantage of the Internet. People
in our field obviously like to work with people. They may be tempted
to think of themselves as "people" people who are on the
opposite side of a dichotomy from "technology" people. That
thought can sabotage self-confidence in their computer abilities.
Non-profit budgets may also contribute to the problem. When I took
this position I worked one year before my computer was put online.
Now I share a line with a co-worker, so we both can't be online at
the same time, and we also can't stay online when we're not using
it because that would prevent the other person from getting on. Waiting
to get online for each use can take up a lot of time.
My own personal experience was my daughter was born in 1991. While
I was home raising her, the use of computers was booming and I was
growing more and more intimidated because I was getting no computer
experience. When I went back to work I was pessimistic about my computer
abilities, but once I started using my computer it got easier and
easier. I was at a volunteer conference this month at which Susan
Ellis spoke. Her presentation was so good that I was sorry I'd missed
a workshop she'd done earlier about the Internet. But now I've found
her website and her essay on this topic as well as many more--and
now this once-isolated volunteer coordinator is reading messages from
counterparts around the world--it's VERY exciting.
Submitted on 15July2003 by Joyce Conner, Consultant,
Ohio USA
Although I am now retired, I still like to keep in touch
with my profession that I love and the Internet allows me to do that.
I do a little consulting and serve on volunteer boards and committees
so I think it is imperative for me to keep up-to-date with current
issues and the latest trends in our field. Before the Internet, I
subscribed to newsletters and magazines and read books. I feel these
are still valuable, as well as personal interaction through local
networking groups and attending workshops and conferences--but the
Internet is instant--and that is exciting.
Although I enjoy reading the comments of others, I don't often post
because someone has already stated my thoughts and I hesitate to repeat.
Maybe others feel the same way.
Submitted on 10July2003 anonymously
As soon as I got Internet access at work I was on it.
I downloaded copious amounts of materials, collected website addresses,
and made use of graphics. I have on a limited basis posted some volunteer
opportunities. And I have loved how easily it is to access information
this way. It saves precious training dollars and it is a fun way to
access information. I am in the process of updating our own webpage
to make it more user friendly and interactive. I am looking forward
to using our site this way. And I am always amazed at how many inquiries
I get through Workopolis. While I am still not what I would consider
computer savvy, I find the Internet has boosted my confidence in using
the computer.
Submitted on 8July2003 by Karen Payne, Program Coordinator,
CASA, Utah USA
I manage a volunteer-only program in rural central Utah.
The resources available to me on the Internet have mostly been educational--and
they have been invaluable!
The budget for my program is woefully small, making trips to many
seminars and conferences impossible. In the "old days,"
that would mean that I would be late getting industry news and access
to volunteerism resources. With the Web at my disposal, I am able
to read or research most anything I need/want to as it fits my situation
or available time.
I am a more effective, informed manager because of the Internet, and
encourage anyone who has not tried it to be brave, jump in and "Just
do it!"
Submitted on 7July2003 by Sam Elliston, President, Elliston
Enterprises, Ohio, USA
What an interesting topic. I guess I am one who has
usually voiced an opinion on a hot topic but when I didn't, it was
usually because I worried about the leadership of my organization
wondering why I was "wasting" my time. At the same time,
for the last six months at the Volunteer Center, I managed the development
of our matching data base on Volunteer Connections.org so I was teaching
agencies how to recruit over the internet every day.
As a consultant in Volunteer Program Management, on my own, now,
I budget time to read the different sites and feel the internet is
the best way I can stay up-to-date with the field.
I love the opportunity to visit with colleagues around the world
and I learn from them all.
My hunch is that the organizations still learning to use the internet
have management who is still worrying about the "time it takes
away from the job" the internet will require; not seeing that
the internet connections ARE very much now part of the job.
Submitted on 4July2003 by Dawn Lasby, Manager, Volunteer
Services, Volunteer Calgary, Calgary, AB
Technology, from a Volunteer Centre's perspective is
the most important tool we use to effectively promote over 1,000 volunteer
opportunities for people in the city of Calgary. In a recent summary
report created on our website, www.volunteercalgary.ab.ca,
we were able to track which pages of our web that were viewed more
frequently than others. Although we have over 800 pages on our website
to view, the section on volunteering/ volunteer opportunities accounted
for 75% of all pages viewed!
Last month, Volunteer Calgary was able to collect and share what
others have learned with our member organizations by hosting a Recruitment
Day with the focus on technology. One of the main points that came
across to participants was the need to promote volunteer programs
on our own websites, even on the home page, to make it easy for people
to find out how to volunteer in an organization. Those organizations
that have on-line application forms, job descriptions, links to other
websites, success stories and photos of their own volunteers attract
more volunteers with higher level, technological skills. This is what
we need to continue to attract leadership volunteers that will assist
us in achieving our goals, our mission, and plan for succession.
Submitted on
3July2003 by Caroline Buchanan, Director of Volunteer Services,
Dallas Retirement Village, Dallas, Oregon USA
The use of the Internet for our long term health care
facility's volunteer program is in its infant stages. The facility
has a webpage (dallasretirementvillage.com) and volunteers may contact
me in that way, but we have not utilized it fully with information/opportunities
(yet.) We utilize VolunteerMatch.com and it has opened up the possibilities
for even little things like "Virtual Penpals" to encourage
our seniors. Believe it or not, the supply exceeded the demand on
that opportunity!
I agree that the information is there on the Web and it's exciting!
I still feel I need to somehow justify the time spent on the computer,
so there is somewhat of an evolution of thinking that needs to take
place where we realize that the time is spent well, either for education
or for actual recruiting. The ways I have saved $$$$ is ordering clearance
supplies online, sending e-cards for volunteer birthdays, sending
quarterly newsletters via e-mail attachment and submitting press releases
to the local newspaper online.
E-mail definitely beats the telephone in scheduling, recruiting
and simple thank you's. I also utilize a volunteer in his home to
handle e-mail to residents from family or virtual penpal communications.
He prints the notes, hand delivers and often reads them to the residents.
Submitted on
3July2003 by Therese Caldwell, Volunteer Services Liaison, North Kitsap
School District, Washington State, USA
Our school district is actively working to make our
web site extremely user-friendly. After a lot of discussion, our community
relations coordinator is now responsible for content and our technology
department is in charge of implementation, troubleshooting, training
personnel on how to properly create content, etc.
This summer, we have one of our talented students working to revamp
the district website so that we are making full use of this valuable
resource. An ongoing challenge will be to make sure that all of our
schools have quality sites that are kept up-to-date.
All staff have the opportunity to take a Front Page class (at no charge)
so that they know how to create and maintain their own pages. I'll
be taking it as a refresher as well. The possibilities for volunteer
recruitment are endless and with a more attractive and understandable
layout, we will all feel more comfortable referring the public to
our web site. It's interesting that it has taken us this long to finally
give this tool the priority it warrants!
Submitted on 3July2003 by Nancy Hughes, VON Durham Region
Branch, Ontario, Canada
All I can say is- if you are not using the internet to promote your
program- GET WITH IT!!! There is no better way to reach people that
through plastering your program information on anybody that will take
you! I presently have our volunteer programs listed on over twenty
sites, and I am always looking for more to list on. Some people are
not internet friendly yet - you need to take some courses and start
learning your way around this valuable tool.
Submitted on 3July2003 by Carol Dunn, Volunteer Coordinator/
Boise Rescue Mission Ministries, Idaho/USA
Since we have gained access to the Internet and e-mail,
we are able to list opportunities on various websites and thus have
tremendously increased the volunteer database. It also makes it so
much easier to contact volunteers without the phone tag and more and
more volunteers are being plugged in. We are now exploring some virtual
volunteer opportunities that will be beneficial to us. I love being
able to network with other missions/agencies and able to avail ourselves
of the extensive information out there including this site. To those
who are nervous I'd love to help them not be so nervous about joining
the web.
Submitted on 3July2003 by Nancy Thompson, Volunteer Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
We have experienced most of the range of online participation,
although we have sometimes been timid about going even further in
cyberspace. We are learning constantly (often from our youngest staff
members!), and trying to take advantage of all that the Internet has
to offer. Fortunately, we have a supportive Board that understands
the value of providing us with adequate technology.
One source of frustration for us remains the lack of basic email
capability among some of the nonprofit agencies we work with. We try
constantly to update our records to include email addresses for all
the agencies we serve, yet about 10%-15% of them tell us they have
no email capability. I'm not sure whether this is primarily a budgetary
issue or a case of techno-phobia, but I'm afraid that those who resist
or don't budget for basic technology are falling so far behind the
field that they will find it increasingly difficult to catch up --
and besides, they are missing out on some of the best services we
can provide them! Have others found widespread lack of email capacity?
Have you been able to persuade colleagues of its importance?
Submitted on 3July2003 by Miriam Leslie, Volunteer Coordinator,
Alberta, Canada
What a wonderful response to this month's Hot Topic! :)
Our organization has experienced increased contacts for prospective
volunteers since we availed ourselves of free space on our local University's
"Volunteer!" website and through some other agencies that
also offer the same.
I love working with the Internet and appreciate the available resources
for research and keeping current. Also, the reminder that I am not
alone is a huge motivator!!
The only drawback I see with contacting "virtual" volunteers
is sometimes I feel I send too many calls for help and wonder if they
ignore some messages because they hear from me too often?? Of course,
I work to balance that with cheerful words of thanks and personal
appreciation--just in case!
Submitted on 3July2003 by Nancy Thompson, Volunteer Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
We have experienced most of the range of online participation,
although we have sometimes been timid about going even further in
cyberspace. We are learning constantly (often from our youngest staff
members!), and trying to take advantage of all that the Internet has
to offer. Fortunately, we have a supportive Board that understands
the value of providing us with adequate technology.
One source of frustration for us remains the lack of basic email
capability among some of the nonprofit agencies we work with. We try
constantly to update our records to include email addresses for all
the agencies we serve, yet about 10%-15% of them tell us they have
no email capability. I'm not sure whether this is primarily a budgetary
issue or a case of techno-phobia, but I'm afraid that those who resist
or don't budget for basic technology are falling so far behind the
field that they will find it increasingly difficult to catch up --
and besides, they are missing out on some of the best services we
can provide them! Have others found widespread lack of email capacity?
Have you been able to persuade colleagues of its importance?
Submitted on
3July2003 by Susan Peacock Reehl, WestArk RSVP Program Director, Arkansas,
USA
I direct an RSVP program in Western Arkansas and we
have had wonderful response to our use of the Internet. Our web site
(which cost $1200, two years ago) receives over 200 hits per month
and has the capability to be updated any time we wish by our staff.
Over a quarter of our senior volunteers have e-mail and the number
grows every day. This allows us to recruit for last minute volunteer
requests without making hundreds of phone calls - plus it is a more
complete way to explain a volunteer opportunity. While a printed newsletter
remains our primary communication tool - e-mail gives us expanded
opportunities between our every other month publication dates. Cost
savings have been significant - phone costs and postage expense are
down more than 50%.
Submitted on 3July2003 by Marsha Cooley, Volunteer Services
Coordinator, United Way of Saginaw County Community Volunteer Services,
Michigan
As a "reluctant colleague", this is my first experience
in discussion participation. In reading this hot topic, the line about
the Internet offering us a level playing field and giving us a voice
individually & collectively made an impact on me. I have never
been one to express my opinion easily, in person or otherwise, but
this article made me see that I am truly "missing the boat"
on this one. With limited resources (financially and materially) I
need to make the most of everything that is offered and available
that will assist me in coordinating and managing volunteers and programs.
Thank you and I will join in more often (so far relatively painless!).
Submitted on 3 July2003 by Wanda Llewellyn, O'Bleness
Memorial Hospital, Ohio
I agree wholeheartedly that we need to utilize the Internet as much
as possible. Although we are a rural, community hospital of only 114
beds, our organization's website provides volunteer information and
we receive application via e-mail. The majority of e-mail applications
come from college students. I expect the number to increase as we
baby-boomers become available. I know that when I retire, I'll be
checking the Internet wherever I may be.
Submitted on 3July2003 by Gail Orser, Prayer Department
Manager, Guideposts, New York
The Internet is an important part of our volunteer effort. We now
have over 350 Web volunteers. Our volunteers log into a secure area
of our website and pray for the over 21,000 prayer requests we receive
each month. The growth in our ministry has been phenomenal because
of this technology. In 4 years we have almost doubled the number of
prayer requests we are receiving and praying for by name and need.
We receive prayer requests via the mail, phone and web. In terms of
web requests, we are now receiving 6 times the number we received
via the web in 2000.
Recruitment on the web has also been phenomenal. When we put our
volunteer application on our website we were deluged with responses.
We now receive about 30 applications a month. This has allowed us
to expand our number of volunteers, as our number of prayer requests
has grown.
Submitted on 2July2003 by Hillary Roberts, President/Project
Linus NJ, Inc. NJ/USA
Great topic! From day one, Project Linus NJ embraced the Internet!
We quickly learned about recruiting online, developed our website,
and virtual volunteer power became a reality. E-group and email enhanced
our communication efforts -- press releases, e-news, publicity, recipient
coordination, npo interaction all grew and grew quickly with this
low-cost and user-friendly "gift." As a 100% volunteer organization
the Internet means expansion, lightning fast response to daily questions
and the ability to learn, share and grow from wonderful npo's out
there! We're paying attention to all of you...how each utilizes the
tools & resources...and we're receiving a valuable education!
Nearly five years later, we have recruited a cyberscout volunteer,
an ebay charity site coordinator and a video conferencing partner
as a result.
On a more serious note..the Internet has been a godsend for volunteers
who want to plug in and make a contribution but for a variety of reasons
are homebound. The Internet clearly opens the door to this group of
community minded citizens...a very "good thing."
Human interaction will always run the company and propell our mission.
The Internet is one tool that has provided our organization the means
to reach more than 15,000 children in nearly five years!
Submitted on 2July2003 by Rob Jackson, Volunteering Development
Manager, RNIB, London, England
I feel one of the most powerful ways the Internet is
and will be transforming our field is to level it. There are fewer
barriers online.
Working in a disability organisation I am all to aware of how disabilities
can become less of an issue online. I would very much encourage people
reading this to look at their web presence and take simple steps to
make it more accessible. Use plain text in emails and visit sites
like http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/
publicwebsite/public_webdesign.hcsp for information on accessible
web design.
The other levelling related to online volunteering and the dismantling
of time barriers. Instead of only getting work done between 9am and
5pm (I wish!) we can now get volunteers on the other side of the world
to undertake work when we are asleep. When you come into work in the
morning that work in your inbox waiting for you. I find this exciting
and truly mind-blowing in terms of its potential for volunteerism.
My first tip to making the most of what is available online is to
find a handful of sites that you know are most relevant for you and
to visit them regularly. Make sure one of them is some kind of international
hub (like Energize) where you can hook into the best resources from
overseas as well as from your home country.
My second tip is to make sure you don't join too many listservs.
Swimming in emails is not a pleasant experience and many listservs
cross post between each other so you find messages from OzVPM on UKVPMs
etc.
Submitted on 1July2003 by Andy Fryar, ozvpm.com,
Australia
Living in Australia, I can vouch for the professional development
benefits of the internet 100%, and it still amazes me that I can (and
do)have daily 'e-dialogue' with colleagues from right around the world
--- all from the luxury of my own desk!
Here's an interesting observation that I've made that I'd like to
share.
From an Australian perspective, I can safely say that a decade
ago, volunteer program management in Australia was probably 10 years
'behind' North America (or at least that is the way it 'felt' at
that time).
Five years ago I would have said we believed we were five years
behind the USA and Canada, whereas today, I believe we are no longer
'behind' at all!
I attribute this largely to the advances, information and networking
opportunities we have been able to gain using the technology of
the www
If you consider the infancy of this technology it is just so exciting
...because the best is yet to come!
