Volunteers are a crucial resource for nonprofits, but more than 33% of volunteers do not return to serve anywhere the following year, representing over $38 billion in lost labor. A consultant presented on how nonprofits can maximize volunteer impact through best practices in volunteer management. He introduced an assessment tool that tests volunteer programs and provides a roadmap for improvement. The tool evaluates the full volunteer management life cycle from recruitment to evaluation. Nonprofits that have used the assessment process have seen outcomes like expanded services, permanent volunteer manager positions, improved resources, and integration of volunteers in strategic planning.

1. Maximizing
Volunteer
Impact
Activating Volunteers
From Supporters to Advocates
AMA Chicago, Nonprofit SIG
July 18, 2013
Bob Dwyer
Consultant, ESC

6. Retention Crisis
More than 33%
don’t return to serve
ANYWHERE
the next year

7. More than $38 Billion
in lost labor
to nonprofits
nationally
Retention Crisis

8. ESC Assessment Tool
• Easy to use
• Tests for best practices
• Models top-performing
programs
• Creates roadmap for
improvement
• Provides a baseline measure

9. Volunteer Management Life Cycle
CAPACITY
PLANNING
ORIENTATION
RECRUITMENT
SUPERVISION
EVALUATION
LIFE CYCLE OF
VOLUNTEER
ENGAGEMENT

10. Outcomes
of Assessment Process
• Expansion of services
• Establishment of permanent volunteer
manager position
• Development of volunteer manual, and other
critical management resources
• Integration of volunteer impact in the
strategic plan and mission