Do you have a goal to level up your volunteer program this year? As nonprofits and organizations who depend on volunteers for the mission of your programs, it is essential that you continue to nurture your volunteer program. It can be easy to get stuck doing things the same way they have always been done. Taking time to look at your program with fresh eyes can help you see holes and places to improve, providing a better experience for both you and your volunteers. Today, we are sharing five ways to boost your volunteer program this year.

Reevaluate & Restructure Roles 

When was the last time you looked at your current volunteer needs? Before recruiting new volunteers, ensure you have a clear understanding of each of the tasks and responsibilities required for your volunteer positions. This will not only help you find volunteers who best fit your program but also provide a more engaging and rewarding experience for both the volunteer and your organization.

CERVIS makes it easy to clearly communicate your volunteer needs by posting open volunteer opportunities online. Volunteers can view detailed descriptions & requirements and register for the opportunity that best matches their schedule and skills.

Leverage Technology

You don’t have to do it all on your own! We want to help you leverage technology, so you can focus on what really matters. CERVIS is an online volunteer management software that helps you get organized, improve volunteer tracking & reporting, enable online volunteer sign-ups, automate email & text communication, schedule & engage large groups, and more. Let CERVIS do the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the rest!

Streamline the Onboarding Process

Simplify the onboarding process to make it easier for new volunteers to get started. Your new volunteers are excited to work with you but can become overwhelmed by the process. CERVIS has the tools to ensure you are collecting and retaining necessary information, so your volunteers don’t need to provide the same information multiple times. From signing waivers online, annotating availability, completing background checks, and more, CERVIS helps to streamline your onboarding process.

Along those same lines, create comprehensive and easy-to-follow training materials, guidelines, and standards to ensure volunteers are well-prepared and confident in their roles.

Encourage & Support Your Volunteers

Thoughtfully consider how you can offer support and recognition to your volunteers all year long. Make a plan for regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and acknowledgment of their efforts. This can significantly boost morale and motivation. Volunteers who feel appreciated are more likely to stay committed and actively contribute to the success of your program.

CERVIS allows you to go the extra mile with your volunteers. Our software makes it easy to recognize volunteers with our built-in Awards Management program. Awards are an exciting way to engage with your volunteers and allow you to create customized badges to celebrate their hard work and commitment. As volunteers earn awards, they are displayed to them as a badge on their profile as well as added to their trophy case in their volunteer profile. Additionally, CERVIS is able to track birthdays and send out a customized birthday greeting to every one of your volunteers on their special day!

Listen to Your Volunteers & Your Data

The best way to learn about your volunteer program and its impact is from the volunteers who serve with you. To hear from your volunteers, you can send out a survey and get their honest feedback. Encourage a bigger response by making the survey anonymous and providing incentives for completing the survey!

It is also important to look at the data from your volunteer program and allow it to inform your strategic decision making. By analyzing the areas where volunteers have made the biggest impact, and looking for places of growth, you can tailor your volunteer program and offerings more efficiently. CERVIS allows you to easily track data throughout the year and pull reports at any time for information and reflection. Check out this in-depth article, The Importance of Reporting Volunteer Impact, to read more on the subject. 

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly enhance the effectiveness and impact of your volunteer program. Utilize them to attract and retain dedicated volunteers, ultimately contributing to the overall success of your organization's mission. Here at CERVIS, we want to help boost your volunteer program this year. To learn more about CERVIS and how we can come alongside your volunteer program, click here for a free demo.

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