Training Materials | Get Involved! Resource Clearinghouse

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
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
A Few Pointers on the Unpleasant Topic of Firing Volunteers Sarah Jane Rehnborg, Ph.D. discusses some of the "whys" and "hows" on this important topic.	Staff Training	Fire, dismiss, problem	2015
A Guide for Creating Inclusive Volunteer Position Descriptions This is one part of the 2024 "Is Everyone Welcome? Tools to Broaden Volunteer Engagement" toolkit found here: https://www.idealist.org/en/orgs/is-… more	Staff Training	inclusive, Position Descriptions, job descriptions	2024