Unlimited Source of Volunteers For Nonprofits

Technology, specifically the internet, is a direct path to unlimited volunteers for nonprofit organizations. It is filled with people from all over the country, dare I say all over the world, willing to use their skill sets, computers and internet connections to help organizations with missions that appeal to them. This online hookup provides a much needed resource, manpower, for organizations experiencing reduced revenue in an environment of economic decline and less charitable giving.  More importantly this manpower is willing to work free.

Here are six steps to start accessing this wellspring of volunteer support.

1.  Be sure your organization is ready to work with volunteers whether online or face-to-face. Nonprofit organizations should have basic computer knowledge and an understanding of good volunteer management standards to provide meaningful involvement for volunteers through input, feedback, guidance and appreciation.

2.  Determine what your organization, specifically, need online volunteers to do before contacting a volunteer group or individual. Select tasks from strategic plan already in place for your organization. If you do not have strategies, a things to accomplish list already in place, create one. It can be that simple, a list of things that the organization need help to accomplish. Once your list of goals are identified and recorded, begin searching for volunteer organizations to work with and/or gain information to find volunteer(s) suited to help your organization accomplish its goals.

3.  Do due diligence to learn more about using online volunteers. Research to determine which volunteer(s) you are comfortable working with. Look to people you trust and reputable organizations like SCORE.  “A resource partner that provides mentoring and training for entrepreneurs and free and confidential advice to small businesses: face-to-face counseling, online counseling, online workshops and more.”  Check out volunteer myths to learn more about what holds nonprofits back from success.

4.  Create measures to protect and keep your organization and volunteers safe. Don’t forget what children are told or why President Barrack Obama announced, May 28, 2009, the creation of a Cyber Czar in his administration. Not everyone using the internet want to do good. Some users are looking to scam and victimize unsuspecting and sophisticated users alike, even the United States of America. But don’t let that stop you, anymore than you would stop children from using this resource.

5. Use websites like VolunteerMatch.  Learn how other organizations are achieving success with their volunteer programs and how to design a compelling volunteer opportunity to list with VolunteerMatch and/or other online sites.

6. Design a compelling listing to recruit volunteers with short crisp sentences that convey your organization’s positive impact and community appreciation. Include your commitment to volunteer support through training and direction.

Go get started, volunteer help is only a click away.