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
Playing by the Rules: Creating an Effective Volunteer Handbook.
This one hour archived webinar was presented by Jennifer Bennett of VolunteerMatch in conjunction with the 4 state Get Involved: Powered by Your… more
Volunteer Handbooks policies, handbook 2019
"Applying for a Job Online" Powerpoint Training - Huntington Beach
This powerpoint presentation was created for a high skilled volunteer to deliver training to library patrons on "Applying for Job Online."
Job / Employment Coach, Engaging High Impact Volunteers, Job Specific Volunteer Training job coach, Training 2012
"E-mail Basics" Powerpoint Training - Huntington Beach
This powerpoint presentation was created for a high skilled volunteer to deliver training to library patrons on "E-Mail Basics."
Engaging High Impact Volunteers, Job Specific Volunteer Training tech coach, Training 2012
"Holds Hunter" Volunteer COVID-19 Procedure Changes - Cedar Rapids IA
Procedural changes developed for volunteer "Hold Hunters" by the Cedar Rapids Iowa Public Library during 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.
Capacity Building, Job Specific Volunteer Training COVID-19 2020
10 Must Have's for a Well-Crafted Volunteer Job Description
Great reminders about what every volunteer job description should contain.
Capacity Building, Staff Training job descriptions, Position Descriptions 2022
10 Volunteer Management Strategies for Nonprofits (+ Best Practices for Retention)
A great summary of the basics of successful volunteer engagement. Good review for experienced folks, and a great introduction for new volunteer… more
Capacity Building, Staff Training Volunteer management 101 2026
12+ Best Volunteer Appreciation Ideas
Reasons to recognize, when to do it, and some great ideas for volunteer recognition.
Staff Training recognition 2025
20+ Volunteer Survey Questions to Improve Your Program
This guide covers the ins and outs of volunteer surveys, from the best questions to ask to top tips for making the survey process a success.
Staff Training, Capacity Building surveys 2025
22 Simple Tips for Managing Virtual Volunteers
Help with planning for, implementing and managing volunteers who work remotely.
Engaging High Impact Volunteers, Staff Training virtual, virtual volunteer, remote 2021
3 Tips for Finding New Board Members
Great advice for how to think about and plan for board member recruitment.
Capacity Building, Engaging High Impact Volunteers boards, Trustees, Recruitment 2021
5 Myths About Volunteer Engagement
Beth Steinhorn, President of VQ Volunteer Strategies prepared a 4 - 5 minute YouTube video on each of her top 5 Volunteer Engagement Myths. They can… more
Staff Training myths 2023
5 Tips for Recruiting Volunteers
Five recruitment tips for volunteer management consultant, Rob Jackson.
Capacity Building Recruitment 2022
6 HR Strategies for Nonprofits to Enhance Volunteer-Staff Collaboration
A quick read with ideas on maximizing volunteer-staff interactions.
Staff Training, Engaging Staff and Unions Staff Resistance, staff buy-in, volunteer staff relations 2025
6 Strategies to Involve Young People in Your Nonprofit
Great suggestions from Nonprofit Tech for Good.
Millennials young volunteers 2024
6 Ways to Make Your Volunteer Opportunities Appeal to Short-Term Volunteers
Short-term volunteers bring invaluable fresh energy and a diverse skill set, contributing significantly to the success of initiatives. However, to… more
Engaging High Impact Volunteers, Staff Training short term, job descriptions 2025
6 Ways to Make Your Volunteer Opportunities Appeal to Short-Term Volunteers
The shift towards shorter volunteer commitments is no longer a passing trend; it's a lasting change. 
Short-term volunteers bring invaluable… more
Capacity Building, Staff Training Recruitment, job descriptions 2025
8 Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program
A good summary from Idealist of the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Administration (MAVA)'s research study which resulted in a set of… more
Staff Training Recruitment, diversity, equity, inclusion 2025
8 Volunteer Recognition Ideas to Show Your Gratitude
A few new ideas mixed in with some old ones . . . worth a look.
Staff Training recognition, appreciation 2025
9 Proven Volunteer Retention Strategies
Strategies for improving your volunteer retention rate.
Staff Training, Capacity Building retention 2025
9 Proven Ways to Boost Volunteer Morale
Here’s a sobering reality: 76% of volunteers who leave say feeling underappreciated was a major reason for their decision. In other words, three out… more
Staff Training morale, volunteer engagement, retention 2026