Hot Topics Archive | Get Involved! Resource Clearinghouse

Month	Topic	Update
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
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)
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
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.
Hot Topic for February 2022	Skills-Based Volunteers	Assistant Volunteer Coordinator Virtual Job Coach Volunteer Job Coach Tech Tutor Tech Coach Public Relations Strategist Social Media Specialist Social Media Specialist 2 Coordinator, Photo and Video Services Computer Coach Program Coordinator Volunteer Screeners Small Library Skilled Volunteer Success Story Creation Station Coordinator 45 Unique Useful Projects for Skilled Volunteers Capacity Commons Guidebook on Skills-Based Volunteerism Skills-Based Volunteerism 201: Project Scoping and Planning Skills-Based Volunteering Toolkit
What's New for January 2022	Recently added	Volunteer Application – Fresno County Library Volunteer Handbook – Fresno County Library Civic Life Today: A Millennial Perspective – 2021 Points of Light report Tech Tutor Volunteer Position Description The Best Volunteer Management Software to Meet Every Need Volunteer Job Description – Job Center Coach – Butte County CA Teen Conduct Agreement Columbus Metropolitan Library, Ohio Co-Creating Racial Equity in Volunteer Engagement
Hot Topic for December 2021	Virtual Volunteer Position Ideas	Virtual Job Coach Closed Captioning Volunteer Podcast Transcription Volunteer Spanish Language Virtual Document Translator Tutor an Adult Learner Virtually Social Media Specialist Social Media Coordinator Virtual Volunteer Ideas for Teens Examples of Virtual Volunteering Activities Virtual Volunteering: A Guide for Nonprofits 22 Simple Tips for Managing Virtual Volunteers
Hot Topic for November 2021	MORE VolunteerMatch Tips and Tricks	Post Virtual Volunteer Opportunities -- NOTE: Virtual opportunities don’t show up in a local search, and in person opportunities don’t show up in a virtual search – if you’re offering an opportunity both ways (i.e., volunteers can come to the library to do it OR they can do it online) you should post it twice – once as virtual and once as local. Using the Copy feature will keep you from having to type it all twice: Get Involved/VolunteerMatch widget - This 3 minute video shows how our Get Involved/ VolunteerMatch widget on your library's website will help recruit more volunteers – California libraries can request the widget code from me at clehn@califa.org so your IT folks can post it. If posting the widget is not an option, you can simply post a link to libraries.volunteermatch.org Looking for another way to make your volunteer opportunities more visible to the best potential volunteer matches for your position? Need to Copy an opportunity to post it on multiple branch accounts or tweak it just a bit? No need to re-type! Did you know that you can add “shift” options to your VolunteerMatch posts? If you only have a limited number of openings for one of your VolunteerMatch posts, you can change “Sign Up” to “Express Interest”