Learn how to create your VolunteerMatch profile to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. This informational session will cover creating your profile and using the brand new Recommendations Engine. We'll teach you how to evaluate a volunteer opportunity to determine if it fits your skills and interests. And we'll also share best practices to help you be a great volunteer!

1. 1
Create your VolunteerMatch Profile –
and Get Matched!
Jennifer Bennett, CVA, Senior Manager, Education & Training
Matt Wallace, Senior Associate, Nonprofit Relations
To hear the presentation by phone call
(415) 655-0051
Access Code: 915-042-921

2. 2
Agenda
• Getting Started
• Important Things to Think About
• Finding Opportunities on VolunteerMatch
• Working with a Nonprofit
• Your Questions

3. 3
I Think I Want to Volunteer – Now What?
• How much time – really – can I share?
– Weekly, Monthly, One Time, Project Based
• What Professional Skills can I Share/Learn
– What is your favorite part of what your do?
– What career did you almost pursue?
• What Hobbies or Other Skills can I Share/Learn?
– Things you might never do for pay, but enjoy
– Gardening, Event Planning, Animal Care

4. 4
How do I Find the Right Opportunity for Me?
• VolunteerMatch
– Basic Search
– Keyword Search
– Advanced Search
– Create your Profile
• Other Places to Find Opportunities
– Ask your friends – most successful referrals come from other
volunteers
– Your church, school, professional organization

5. 5

6. 6

7. 7

8. 8

9. 9
Evaluating Opportunities
• Good Opportunities Should Tell You
– What you’ll be doing
– What training or experience you need – if any
– Time commitment
– And most importantly Why
• It may be a Red Flag if Opportunities have
– Spelling and grammar errors
– Lack of details
– Jargon

10. 10
I Clicked ‘I Want to Help’ – What Happens Now?
• Ideally – the volunteer manager will contact you in 24
hours
But What if they Don’t….
• Take the Initiative – Call or Email

11. 11
Volunteer Screening Practices
• Interview
– May be lengthy or informal depending on the position
• Background Checks, Reference Checks
– Especially if working with at-risk populations: children, elderly
• Health Checks
– Schools, Hospitals

12. 12
Orientations and Trainings
• Orientations
– Introduce you to the organization
– Provide insight into culture
– Standards and Norms
• Trainings
– Should match the volunteer position
– May be lengthy
– May only happen on certain days or times

13. 13
What Should I Ask my Volunteer Manager?
• Job Specific Questions
– When will the job be done?
– What training will I need?
– Is there an opportunity for more involvement?
– Who will I be working with/Reporting to?
• Cultural Questions
– How flexible is the schedule? What if I have travel plans?
– How is success measured and acknowledged?

14. 14
What Should I Ask Myself?
• Logistical Questions
– Can I commit to this schedule?
– Am I able to complete this project?
– What are my ‘deal breakers’?
• Philosophical Questions
– Do I believe in this organization’s mission?
– How will I know I’ve made a difference?
– Are these people I want to work with?

15. 15
Keys to Success
• Know what you can realistically commit to – Then Do It!
– Not more, not less
• Communication
– If something is unclear, ask.
– If you feel that the position is not a good fit – say that.
• Keep an open mind
– Use caution when ‘suggesting’ new ideas
– Use tact
– Be Patient

16. 16
Thanks for attending!
Questions?

17. 17
Thanks for attending!
Join us online:
Like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VolunteerMatch
Follow us on Twitter: @VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch Community
Ask and answer questions after the webinar – use keywords Great Volunteer
http://community.volunteermatch.org/volunteer
For any questions contact:
Jennifer Bennett
(415) 321-3639
@JenBennettCVA
jbennett@volunteermatch.org