Training Materials

Learn more about best practices in volunteer recruitment and engagement, and how to get the results you need.

NOTE: These are examples from public libraries and should be reviewed and modified to ensure fit with local policies and culture.

Title Keyword Tags Year
Volunteer Background Checks: Giving Back without Giving Up on Privacy
How do nonprofit organizations screen volunteers? There are several options. The choices depend largely on the volunteer job involved and the… more
Volunteer Screening / InterviewingCapacity BuildingStaff Training background checks, screening 2018
Volunteer Assessment and Selection- Jennifer Rackow
As part of a day-long training, Jennifer Rackow helps you assess and select the best candidates to become volunteers in your program. Search for… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersInterviewing VolunteersStaff Training Video, volunteer selection 2009
Volunteer Appreciation Guide
is Volunteer Appreciation Guide is a free resource developed by Wild Apricot to offer tips and advice for volunteer programs just getting started… more
Capacity Building recognition 2019
Virtual Volunteers: Keys to Success and Sustainability
More and more organizations rely on a hybrid workforce – with staff and volunteers working on-site and on-line. More recently, engaging volunteers… more
Staff TrainingCapacity Building virtual volunteer 2022
Virtual Volunteer Orientation - San Jose CA
This online training was developed to introduce new volunteers to the San José Public Library and provide a basic overview of the volunteer policies… more
Engaging High Impact VolunteersCapacity Building virtual volunteer, virtual, orientation, Volunteer Orientation 2020
Virtual Volunteer - 4 minute interview
This 4 minute interview is with a volunteer who couldn't come to the library to volunteer, but still wanted to help with her high level social… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training virtual volunteer 2015
Virtual Homework Help Coach Online Training - San Jose CA
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, San Jose Public Library moved it's homework help program online. This is the online training they use to train the… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training Homework Help, COVID-19 2020
Up Your Game with Skills-Based Volunteering
A discussion of skills-based volunteering which can be provided through specialized volunteer-matching organizations.
Staff TrainingCapacity Building Skilled Volunteers 2023
Until Tuesday - Book to Action Project- Lodi, CA
As part of an LSTA grant, Lodi Public Library designed a Book to Action project around the book "Until Tuesday" based on the true story of… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers Book to action, Video, book discussion, community service 2012
Union Issues and Staff Resistance
Early in the Get Involved initiative we determined that the two biggest potential internal barriers to moving toward engagement of skilled volunteers… more
Engaging Staff and Unions Unions, Staff Resistance, staff buy-in 2008
Tools for Volunteer Engagement Success
This one hour archived video was presented by Carla Lehn of the Get Involved: Powered by Your Library initiative for the incoming AmeriCorps members… more
On-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and ResourcesStaff Training VolunteerMatch, online recruitment 2023
Today's Volunteer: The Shift from Management to Engagement
Video clip on this topic from a Get Involved Volunteer Engagement Institute in Oakland California in May 2015. (9.5 minutes)
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersStaff Training 2015
Tips to Attract & Retain Skilled Volunteers that Grow Your Nonprofit
Great tips as you venture into the world of skilled volunteers . . .
Engaging High Impact Volunteers Skilled Volunteers 2022
Tips for Communications and outreach that honor diversity, equity and inclusion
Nine tips for communication that can be used as a checklist.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training communications, diversity, equity, inclusion 2022
Time Management for Volunteer Engagement Coordinators: Putting Volunteers to Work to Help YOU
This one hour webinar was recorded March 7, 2024, and was presented by Jennifer Bennett, CVA, Director of Education and Training for VolunteerMatch.… more
Staff Training time management, Program Assistant 2024
Three Things We Know About Engaging Millennials in Your Cause
A quick read on what Millennials are interested in to help you in your recruitment efforts.
Millennials Millennials 2018
The Virtual Volunteer Life Cycle: A Complete Guide
A good overall guide for recruiting, screening and managing remote volunteers.
Engaging High Impact VolunteersCapacity BuildingStaff Training virtual 2022
The Value – and Potential – of Virtual Volunteers
This April 2023 webinar led by Jennifer Bennett, Director of Education and Training for VolunteerMatch also featured staff leaders from Junior… more
Engaging High Impact VolunteersCapacity Building virtual, remote 2023
The Importance of Using and Understanding Background Check Screening
This archived webinar was produced by "AL!VE" -- the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement.
Volunteer Screening / InterviewingCapacity Building background checks, screening volunteers 2013
The Four Appreciation Languages -
A nice article from Karen Knight Consulting discussing the various forms of volunteer recognition.
Staff Training recognition 2023