Hot Topics Archive | Get Involved! Resource Clearinghouse

Month	Topic	Update
Hot Topic for May 2025	Volunteer Recruitment	Volunteer Recruitment ideas 3 & ½ minute video VolunteerMatch Boot Camp: Recruiting 101 3 Creative Volunteer Recruitment Strategies Diagnosing the causes of volunteer recruitment problems VolunteerMatch/LinkedIn Recruitment Instructions Targeted Recruitment Plan Template Volunteer Recruitment Workshop Series Recordings How to Recruit and Retain Gen Z Volunteers Inspiring Action: How Volunteer Stories Can Drive Recruitment & Engagement
What's New for April 2025	Recently Added Materials	Where Do I Go from Here? Engage Volunteers in New Ways Engaging Youth Volunteers: How Young People are Showing up in Service (recorded webinar) Where Should the Volunteer Services Department Live on Your Org Chart? Volunteer Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator Para Support volunteer job description A Peek inside the Millenial Mind
Hot Topic for March 2025	Reading to Dogs Programs	Therapy Dog Engagement Materials - Columbus OH PAWS to Read – Pleasanton CA Looking for an Organization to Partner with on a “Read to Dogs” program? Book and barks: Library pet programs for everyone – Webjunction Why Your Library Needs a Reading Dog Paws to Read Procedures – Indianapolis IN
What's New for February 2025	Recently Added Materials	How to Write Volunteer Surveys for Big Impact Engaging Position Descriptions for Boomers and Future Generations of Volunteers Successful Volunteer Interview Strategies Top 10 Volunteer Management Solutions for 2024 Inspiring Action: How Volunteer Stories Can Drive Recruitment & Engagement Parent/Guardian form for Teen Volunteers Do you have potential volunteers who approach you to present a program for you? Here are a couple applications that other libraries use to start a process when that happens: Arlington Heights Memorial Library Pikes Peak Library District
Hot Topic for January 2025	Engaging Volunteers with Disabilities	Disability Etiquette: Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities Disability Awareness and Inclusive Behaviors Working Together: Developing Neurodivergent and IDD (Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) Inclusive Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Connections: Creating an Accessible and Inclusive Environment Inclusive Volunteering: Recommendations for Volunteer Coordinators on how to Develop a More Inclusive Volunteer Programme Planning for Including People with Intellectual Disabilities in Volunteer Programs Sensory Story Time Volunteers - Redwood City CA Engaging People with Disabilities Disability Inclusive Volunteering Toolkit Inclusive Volunteering Training Video – (8 minutes) Making Your Volunteer Opportunities Available for All Abilities
Hot Topic for December 2024	Volunteer Position Ideas - Click Title for Job Description	Makerspace Mentor Volunteer Position Description Storyteller Gardening Support Teen Council Member Job Description Teen Advisory Member Branch Administrative Support Volunteer Collection Support Technology/Public Computer Support Summer Reading Teen Volunteer Position Description Want more ideas? Click "Position Descriptions" above and use the drop down menu.
Hot Topic for November 2024	Volunteer Management Systems	Tips for Selecting a Volunteer Management Database Best Volunteer Management Software 17 Top Volunteer Management Software Options for Nonprofits 19 Top Volunteer Management Tools for Nonprofits & Schools Roundup: The Best Volunteer Management Software to Meet Every Need Top 10 Volunteer Management Solutions for 2024 NOTE: There are also two user groups – Volgistics and Better Impact – that meet monthly and welcome folks to drop in and/or join for the long haul. Check the Upcoming Events Box on the Get Involved Clearinghouse for meeting dates and links: https://getinvolvedclearinghouse.org/
What's New for October 2024	Newly Added Materials	How to Create Your Volunteer Program Budget Diagnosing the Causes of Volunteer Recruitment Problems Asking Inclusive Questions About Gender (Things to consider when listing gender questions on your application or survey) Handling Problem Volunteers Ten Tips for Getting a Volunteer Survey Completed 6 Strategies to Involve Young People in Your Nonprofit
Hot Topic for September 2024	Plan Ahead for Recognition	2023 Webinar Recording – Creating Innovative Volunteer Recognition Strategies Volunteer Appreciation: Not just a week, but a culture Volunteer Appreciation Plan Volunteer Recognition Survey Staff Volunteer Appreciation Survey The Four Appreciation Languages Volunteer Appreciation Guide Volunteer Recognition Ideas Ways to Appreciate Volunteers Without Centering Them as the Hero Volunteer Recognition Ideas Across Generations 10+ Volunteer Appreciation Ideas That Actually Work Sample Volunteer Week Thank You Letter from Library Director
Hot Topic for August 2024	2023-24 Get Involved Webinar Recordings	Use these links to view: session description, recording, slides, handouts, and if required, passcode to view the recording. New Volunteer Manager’s ToolKit Tools for Volunteer Engagement Success: VolunteerMatch & the Get Involved Clearinghouse Traveling Storytime and Sensory Storytime Volunteers Volunteer Engagement for Best Results Engaging the Volunteer of the Future Get Involved Live Zoom Conversation: Surveys in Volunteer Engagement Time Management for Volunteer Engagement Coordinators: Putting Volunteers to Work to Help YOU Designing Volunteer Training in Niche Academy Tips & Tricks for Recruiting Online Get Involved Live Zoom Conversation: Creating a Diverse Volunteer Pool Working Together: Developing Neurodivergent and IDD (Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) Inclusive Volunteer Opportunities The Human Side of Recruitment with Beth Steinhorn Tips to Selecting a Volunteer Management Database
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