Volunteer Management

 

Volunteer Management

At its most basic level, volunteer management is the selection, supervision and engagement of volunteers. But it’s much more than that. Volunteer management opens an organization to the community and allows citizens to get involved.

Managers of volunteers ensure the well-being and happiness of an organization’s volunteers. They keep volunteer programs effective and engaging.

Depending on an organization’s structure, size and resources, volunteer resource management can be undertaken by a full-time paid professional, as one aspect of another staff position or by a volunteer. Some organizations integrate their human resources management systems to include everyone who completes work on behalf of the organization—whether they are paid employees, volunteers, community service participants, interns or students on job placements. No matter how the position fits within the organization, volunteer resource management plays an essential role in driving any volunteer-involving organization’s mission.

Successful organizations offer a range of volunteer roles that allow people to get involved in ways that suit their schedules and meet their needs. The role of managers of volunteers is to work with volunteers to ensure that their needs are being met along with the needs of the organization.

Volunteer resource management practices have evolved to create a two-way relationship with today’s volunteers. Now, managers of volunteers try to work with volunteers in ways that consider the volunteers’ goals and interests, as well as the needs of the organization.

Volunteer engagement is an important function in any organization, as it ensures the health and sustainability of the organization’s volunteer program. Associations and post-secondary schools offer courses in volunteer resource management and volunteer administration. Below is a sample of programs offered in Canada:

Volunteer Management Training

The following is a list of centres, colleges and other organizations offering management training in Canada. While it is up to date, it does not pretend to be complete. Go ahead and explore these resources to find the one that fits your needs and schedule.

Programs at Community Colleges

Other programs

Volunteer Centres offering training

Other training resources:

  • Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada
  • Provincial volunteer management associations
    • Association des gestionnaires de ressources bénévoles du Québec (AGRBQ)
    • Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA)
    • Volunteer Management Professionals of New Brunswick (VMPNB)
    • Professional Association of Volunteer Leaders – Ontario (PAVRO)
    • Volunteer Management Group - Edmonton, Alberta (VMG-Edmonton)
    • Community Council on Volunteerism - Montreal, Québec  (CCV- Montreal
    • Administrators of Volunteer Resources - Saskatchewan  (AVR-SK)
    • Westman Association of Volunteer Administrators (WAVA) – Brandon, Manitoba
    • Volunteer Management Professionals of Nova Scotia (VMPNS) - Nova Scotia
  • Charity Village
    • Apart from the training program listed above, they offer many tools, resources, articles, webinars and job postings 
  • Energize
  • E-volunteerism
    • Journal – articles and more, for subscribers and non-subscribers

Is there a resource or course you think we should add to this list? Contact us at [email protected] !

 

Resources