Hot Topics Archive

Month Topic Update
What's New for October 2023 Recently Added Materials

5 Nonprofit KPIs Your Volunteer Program Should be Tracking

 

How to Recruit and Retain Gen Z Volunteers

 

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – The role of self-awareness in equity work

 

How to Write a Strong Reference Letter for a Strong Volunteer

 

Diagnosing the Causes of Volunteer Recruitment Problems

Hot Topic for September 2023 Volunteer Coordinator Job Descriptions

A Letter to Nonprofits that Want to Hire a Volunteer Manager

Sample Library Volunteer Coordinator Job Descriptions:

       Indianapolis

       Sacramento

       Pikes Peak

       City of Orange

       Palos Verdes Library District

       Elgin IL

       Generic Sample

For Those Who Also Have Volunteer Coordinators in Your Branches

       Columbus OH

       San Jose CA

       Indianapolis IN

Hot Topic for August 2023 Interviewing Volunteers

Volunteer Interview Questions for Better Matching

 

Volunteer interview questions

 

14 volunteer interview questions

 

Sample Interview Questions for Volunteers

 

Teen Volunteer Interview Questions

 

Volunteer Reference Check questions

 

Group Volunteer Interviews
 

Volunteer Exit Interview Survey

What's New for July 2023 Recently added resources

Staff Volunteer Appreciation survey

 

Dynamic Words & Catchy Titles for Volunteer Position Descriptions

 

Best Practices for Recruiting and Engaging Volunteers from Zoomers to Boomers

 

When and Where to Use Volunteer Replacement Rates (Or Not) for Volunteer Value

 

Six Ways to Restructure Existing Volunteer Opportunities

 

Volunteer Impact Blogs & Resources

 

Literacy Tutor & Learner Responsibilities

Hot Topic for June 2023 Get Involved 2022/23 Webinar Recordings

Sept 29, 2022 – Rethinking Retention: Understanding Strategic Volunteer Relations

 

Oct 20, 2022 - California Library Volunteer Leaders Live Open Online Discussion -- "Best New Volunteer Roles in Libraries"

 

Dec 6, 2022 - Volunteer Engagement 101 -- Learning Objectives included: What Motivates Volunteers, Utilizing Skilled Volunteers, and Designing Volunteer Job Descriptions and Recruitment Plans.  NOTE: Passcode required to view the video: Rr2sqKs+

 

Dec 8, 2022 - Volunteer Engagement Tools for Success which includes a tour of best practices on VolunteerMatch --   NOTE: Passcode required to view the video: 2%czJpc+

 

Jan 18, 2023 – Building Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement

 

Mar 23, 2023Introduction: Purpose-Driven Volunteer Impact Model

 

Apr 19, 2023 – Creating Innovative Volunteer Recognition Strategies for Today’s Volunteers

 

Apr 20, 2023 -- California Library Volunteer Leaders Live Open Online Discussion -- It’s Spring! Let’s Renew/Reinvigorate/Revamp Volunteer Engagement

May 25, 2023 – Panel Discussion: Purpose Driven Vol Impact Model

Hot Topic for May 2023 Volunteer Management Software Comparisons

Looking for Volunteer Management Software?  Here are links to recent comparisons:

What's New for April 2023 Recently added resources

Do you work with library volunteer coordinators/ liaisons in your branches or other departments? If yes, here are a couple examples of guidelines created by other library volunteer engagement coordinators in that position: (Note: If you’ve got one to share, please e-mail to me at clehn@califa.org)

       Deschutes Public Library, Oregon

       Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City

       Columbus Metropolitan Library, Ohio

 

Building Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement -- January 18, 2023 Webinar recording

 

Developing and Managing Volunteer Programs

 

Two one hour December webinars presented for AmeriCorps members attached to California Library Literacy Services are now available for viewing by all:

Volunteer Engagement 101 -- Learning Objectives included: What Motivates Volunteers, Utilizing Skilled Volunteers, and Designing Volunteer Job Descriptions and Recruitment Plans. NOTE: Passcode required to view the video: Rr2sqKs+

Volunteer Engagement Tools for Success which includes a tour of best practices on VolunteerMatch is archived separately here: NOTE: Passcode required to view the video:  2%czJp

 

 

Hot Topic for March 2023 Volunteer Recognition

Rethinking Volunteer Recognition

 

Volunteer Appreciation Guide

 

Volunteer Recognition: Just Say No to Years of Service Awards

 

Volunteer Recognition Ideas

 

Using the Internet to Recognize Online Volunteers

 

Staff Volunteer Appreciation Survey

 

Ways to Appreciate Volunteers Without Centering Them as the Hero

Hot Topic for February 2023 Friends of the Library

Resources for Friends of Libraries

 

Connecting with Today’s Volunteers to Transform the Friends of the Library (1 hour archived webinar)

 

Mesa (AZ) Public Library's amazing online booksale operation (about $100,000/year) is volunteer driven and supervised by the library's volunteer coordinator. We appreciate Mesa sharing a 10- minute video about the project, as well as the volunteer job description and a number of invaluable, well-researched training pieces that can be used to prepare volunteers to take on these roles.

 

Beyond Younger Volunteers: White Paper on What Rural Friends Groups Need to Thrive

 

How to Recruit New Members for Your Association on Social Media

 

Book Store Fundraiser – “Secret Santa” – Indianapolis IN

What's New for January 2023 Recently added resources

Tips for Communications and outreach that honor diversity, equity, and inclusion

 

7 Tips for Managing Volunteers

 

Tips to Attract & Retain Skilled Volunteers that Grow Your Nonprofit

 

How to Align Your Mission with Millennials and Civic Engagement

 

The Virtual Volunteer Life Cycle: A Complete Guide

What's New for December 2022 Recently added resources

Changing the Frame: Civic Engagement Through A Racial Equity Lens

 

First Day Volunteer Orientation Checklist

 

Reading Buddies Volunteer Job Description – Columbus OH

 

Developing a Successful Intern Program

 

Teen Volunteer Summer Reading Program Orientation Agenda

 

QuickStart Guide for New Volunteers

 

Rethinking Retention: Understanding Strategic Volunteer Relationships

Hot Topic for November 2022 Trustees Resources

California Public Library Trustees Toolkit

Resources for Library Trustees by State

Nonprofit Board Member Codes of Conduct and Ethics

Statement of Ethics for Library Trustees - Cedar Rapids IA

Board of Trustees Policy Manual - Cedar Rapids IA

Taking Action on Board Diversity: Five Questions to Get You Started

If Your Board Looked Like Your Community

Working with Legislators: An Advocacy Briefing Guide for Board Members

3 Tips for Finding New Board Members

Five Survey Templates to Measure Volunteer and Board Satisfaction

What's New for October 2022 Recently added resources

Teen Team Volunteer Program Assistant Job Description

 

Volunteer Orientation and Training: The Ultimate Guide

 

Volunteer Appreciation: Not just a week, but a culture

 

Home Delivery Driver Agreement

 

15 Most Popular Strategic Planning Templates

 

Insights & Impact 2020: Measuring the Social Impact of Volunteerism

Hot Topic for September 2022 Video Clips from Breauna Dorelus of Connecting the Cause

White Supremacy in Volunteerism – Perfectionism – (20 minutes)

 

Creating a Community Centered Volunteer Orientation – (14 minutes)

 

Ways to Appreciate Volunteers without Centering them as the Hero - (19 minutes)

 

Memorializing Volunteer Experiences without Harming the Community you Serve -- (15 minutes)

Hot Topic for August 2022 New to Volunteer Engagement? - Links to Get You Started (Archived Webinars)

Volunteer Engagement 101

 

Writing Accurate & Useful Volunteer Position Descriptions

 

Strategies for Attracting Today’s Volunteers

 

Playing by the Rules: Creating an Effective Volunteer Handbook

 

Designing Virtual Opportunities, Managing Remote Volunteers

 

VolunteerMatch “Tour” – Using VolunteerMatch to Recruit Skilled & Virtual Volunteers

 

Best Practices for Recruiting Online

What's New for July 2022 Recently added resources

A Savior No One Needs: Unpacking and Overcoming the White Savior Complex

Volunteer Exit Survey – London Public Library

Annual Report on Volunteer Engagement – Los Angeles Public Library

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Resources - California State Library

Sample Confidentiality Statement

Recruit Volunteers Online: Find Your Next 20 COVID Superheroes with Smarter Strategy

Hot Topic for June 2022 Get Involved Recorded Webinars - January through June 2022

January 19 -- Outreach Services & Volunteer Resources… A Match Made in Library Heaven

January 26 -- Sticky Situations: Applying Ethics to Your Work with Volunteers

February 10 -- Best Practices for Recruiting Online

March 17 --  Building Back Better: Assessing Needs & Identifying New Opportunities

March 31 – I Just Don’t Have Time: Prioritize Your Way to Productivity

April 14 - Social Media and Volunteer Engagement

April 20 - California Library Volunteer Leaders: Live Open Online Discussion on Diversity Equity & Inclusion in Volunteer Engagement

May 12 – Pushing Back on Privilege in Volunteerism

May 26 – Understanding the Multi-Gen Mix

What's New for May 2022 Recently added resources

Virtual Volunteers: Keys to Success and Sustainability

10 Must Have’s for a Well-Crafted Volunteer Job Description

15 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Volunteer Coordinator

Library Express Homebound Delivery Volunteer – Indianapolis Public Library IN

Home Delivery Driver – Indianapolis Public Library IN

Adult Volunteer Application – Arlington Heights IL

Adult Volunteer Application – Lincoln City OR

Hot Topic for April 2022 Gaining Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement

Build Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement

Grow Staff Volunteer Harmony

Confidentiality and Other Objections to Volunteers

Gaining Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement

Preparing Co-Workers to Lead Volunteers Online & On Land

Union Issues and Staff Resistance

What Leaders of Volunteers Can Do to Gain Executive Attention

Could Volunteers Replace Paid Staff?? Have No Fear!

Hot Topic for March 2022 Sample Forms

COVID Liability Release Form – Sherwood OR

Records Retention Practices – Indianapolis Public Library IN

Vaccine Verification Form for Volunteers -- San Jose CA

Volunteer Reference Check Form -- Indianapolis Public Library

Volunteer Reference Check Questions – Kitchener Public Library

Confidentiality of Customer Records Form

Volunteer Time Record – Fresno County Library

Workers Comp Coverage Volunteer Agreement

For Sample Volunteer Applications Click on Management Tools, then from the Drop Down Menu select “Adult Volunteer Applications” or “Teen Volunteer Applications” and click “Apply”

More may be found by typing "forms" into the search box.