Wednesday, October 9, 2002, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

CREATING COMMUNITY IN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Carol Kleinmaier, Shanti National Training Institute, California; David Maurice Jones, Shanti National Training Institute, California

Session Description: The quality of a volunteer’s relationship with people in a volunteer program can determine the strength of the volunteer’s motivation.  We can intentionally create positive relationships in our programs, between staff and volunteers, among volunteers, and, if relevant, between volunteers and service recipients.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define and distinguish relationships from other aspects of an organization
2. Identify the connections between relationships, retention and quality of service
3. Identify the benefits of their volunteer program’s current relationship-building aspects in terms of match with organizational mission, and effects on volunteer retention, quality of service and overall program success
4. Complete a self-assessment of current relationship-building aspects of their volunteer programs, considering the impact on volunteer inspiration, retention and quality of service
5. Evaluate the importance of creating boundaries in relationships, ensuring that relationship boundaries don’t unduly burden volunteer managers
6. Action planning – each participant will identify one or more changes they would like to make in the relationship-building aspects of their volunteer program in order to improve volunteer motivation and retention, and enhance the quality of services delivered

Level:  All
Conference Theme(s): Community