Hot Topics Archive | Get Involved! Resource Clearinghouse

Month	Topic	Update
What's New for July 2024	Recently Added Materials	Tips for Creating an Online Opportunity that Connects with Volunteers The Volunteer Manager’s Essentials: Policies, Documents, Data and More Volunteer Value Beyond Numbers, Hours and Dollars Practicing What We Preach: Volunteers Helping Us Too Creating Relationships with Gen Z Managing Volunteer Risks – Where Are You Now?
Hot Topic for June 2024	Surveys in Volunteer Engagement	Annual Volunteer Feedback Survey – San Jose Public Library Active Volunteers Survey – San Mateo County Libraries New Volunteer Onboarding Survey – Cedar Rapids Public Library Volunteer Survey – Mission Viejo Public Library New Volunteer Opportunities Survey – San Mateo County Libraries Volunteer Recognition Survey – City of Corona Recording - Surveys in Volunteer Engagement Help With Survey Design Five Survey Templates to Measure Volunteer and Board Satisfaction Questionnaire Design Tip Sheet – Harvard University Survey Design: The Top 10 Best Practices to Maximize Your Results
What's New for May 2024	Recently Added Materials	Volunteer Orientation Packet – Sherwood OR Volunteer Code of Conduct - Multnomah County Library OR What Tax Free Benefits Can Nonprofits Give Volunteers? Introduction to LGBTQ+ Inclusion Neither//Nor: Stories of Life Beyond Binary Gender Makerspace Volunteer Training Examples Newly revised 2024 Volunteer Handbook from the Multnomah County Library, Oregon Volunteer Appreciation Plan – Indianapolis Public Library
Hot Topic for April 2024	New to Volunteer Engagement? – Links to Get You Started	Volunteer Engagement 101 New Volunteer Manager’s ToolKit Tools for Volunteer Engagement Success Time Management for Volunteer Engagement Coordinators: Putting Volunteers to Work to Help YOU Bibliography on Volunteer Engagement And be sure to watch the short video to your left on how to use this Clearinghouse to find sample policies, job descriptions and training materials!
Hot Topic for March 2024	Inclusive Volunteer Recruitment Strategies	How to Build a Truly Inclusive Volunteer Program Recruiting Local Volunteers to Increase Diversity Among the Ranks Talking Racial Equity? Make Sure You Understand These 17 Words Planning for Including People with Intellectual Disabilities in Volunteer Programs Equity Diversity Inclusion & Antiracism Toolkit – Oregon Library Association White Supremacy in Volunteerism - Perfectionism Changing the Frame: Civic Engagement Through a Racial Equity Lens
What's New for February 2024	Recently Added Materials	An Introduction to Ethics for the Volunteer Engagement Profession Introduction to Virtual Volunteering Recruiting Local Volunteers to Increase Diversity Among the Ranks Planning for Including People with Intellectual Disabilities in Volunteer Programs Disability Etiquette: Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities Memorandum of Understanding Template
What's New for January 2024	Recently Added Materials	5 Myths About Volunteer Engagement Gamifying Volunteer Training Newly Revised Volunteer Handbook – Charlotte Mecklenberg Library, Charlotte NC Newly Revised Volunteer Handbook from the Dayton Ohio Library The Role of the Volunteer Coordinator Up Your Game with Skills-based Volunteering Talking racial equity? Make sure you understand these 17 words
Hot Topic for December 2023	Homebound Delivery Service Volunteer Resources	Visiting Library Service Client Intake Form – Barrie Public Library Library Express FAQ – Indianapolis IN Home Delivery Driver Volunteer Job Description – Indianapolis IN Homebound Delivery Volunteer Safety Requirements Sign-Off Sheet – Boulder CO Homebound Delivery Recruitment Brochure – Orange CA
What's New for November 2023	Recently Added Materials	Volunteer Matching: Finding the Right Role for Every Volunteer Group Volunteer Interviews The Four Appreciation Languages Volunteers and the Law: Legal Considerations Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Antiracism Toolkit – Oregon Library Association
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	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+ Apr 20, 2023 -- California Library Volunteer Leaders Live Open Online Discussion -- It’s Spring! Let’s Renew/Reinvigorate/Revamp Volunteer Engagement
Hot Topic for May 2023	Volunteer Management Software Comparisons	Looking for Volunteer Management Software? Here are links to recent comparisons: RoundUp: Best Volunteer Management Software Best Volunteer Management Software Best Volunteer Management Software Comparison VMS Features Comparison – Volgistics/Volunteer Impact The Best Volunteer Management Software to Meet Every Need
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