November 18, 2024
You must’ve solved or seen a puzzle. Every piece in it has a unique shape and purpose, and only when all the pieces come together can the full picture be formed. Managing a volunteer program can feel similar for nonprofit organisations as it entails each volunteer contributing their unique volunteer skills and time to create a larger impact. However, without a strategy or system to connect these pieces, the outcome can seem incomplete. For instance, knowing the right pieces yet being unaware of how to connect them or make them work together may result in even the best efforts falling short.
This is where technology steps in. By choosing suitable technology, organisers can streamline the volunteer programs to make sure the volunteers can contribute to their full potential. One suitable tech option is automation; it can help organisations manage schedules, track volunteer work, and improve the chances of retention. This article will explore areas of nonprofits where adding a layer of technology can improve the functioning of volunteer programs.
The volunteers in an organisation have varying schedules and skills. This makes assigning shifts and tasks that are accommodating to everyone’s schedule challenging. But what if you had data that provided a clear view of who is available and when? Automation tools help organisations record data related to each volunteer's skills and availability. Further, it uses this data to help managers create schedules and provide roles suited to volunteers’ strengths. While it reduces stress by creating a balanced workload, it also opens up opportunities to recognise dedicated volunteers and easily generate data to support a letter of recommendation for volunteers, rewarding their contributions.
When volunteers fill out their applications for programs, they mention their specific skills. It is proven that assigning them tasks that match their skills and preferences increases satisfaction, in turn increasing their engagement in future projects. Organisations can use automated systems to use volunteer data such as skills, previous experiences, and availability to help managers make informed task assignments. For example, if a volunteer has strong organisational skills, organisations can assign them administrative tasks, and a tech-savvy volunteer can take care of digital responsibilities. These specific skill-based tasks make the volunteers feel seen which can lead to an increase in retention rates.
Wherever large groups of people are involved, like in nonprofits maintaining clear, consistent, quick communication can be a herculean task. But by integrating an automated messaging system, you can send real-time notifications, reminders, and updates about events or tasks to the volunteers. Whether your general communication channel is through email, SMS, or app notifications, automation ensures that volunteers stay informed and engaged. Additionally, it allows volunteers to give quick feedback and communicate their needs or concerns, ensuring that the organisation can respond and resolve them. This eliminates potential miscommunications and ensures everybody is aligned with the program goals.
When a volunteer applies that they want to work with an organisation, the onboarding process is followed by the training. Training being an essential part of the volunteer program requires considerable time and resources. Automation can help you streamline this process and reduce the energy and resources spent by offering online training modules, tutorials, and assessments. By using such online modules, the volunteers can experience consistent and high-quality training at their own pace. Additionally, the progress tracking feature can ensure that each volunteer completes the necessary steps before beginning their work. This makes the volunteers feel involved and respected for their independent skills.
A feedback system benefits the volunteers and the organisation likewise. Automated systems can track volunteer hours and contributions that can be used to measure volunteer performance individually and the organisation’s performance as a whole. While it can be used to recognise individual efforts it can also help in identifying areas where a volunteer may need additional support or training. On the other hand, organisations can set up a system for collecting feedback from volunteers to recognise areas where the nonprofit can improve. Overall, this practice makes the volunteers feel acknowledged and increases their chance of staying committed in the long run.
Much like technology driving the world in every field, adoption of it in volunteer programs is the key to connecting all the pieces effectively and driving impact. It improves coordination and communication, resulting in a seamless experience for volunteers and organisers. When every volunteer is placed where they can make the most impact and their efforts are recognised only then the full potential of the program shines through. By integrating automation, nonprofits can ensure that their programs not only bring change but also positively impact their volunteers.
