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
Developing a Successful Intern Program
Interns can be a godsend to any nonprofit. Depending on their background, they may be as valuable as paid staff and their main goals are typically… more
Staff TrainingCapacity Building intern, internship 2020
Engagement as a Path to Inclusion and Justice
This brief article from Beth Steinhorn at VQ Strategies outlines 4 questions we can all ask ourselves for developing and implementing a plan that… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training inclusive, racism, diversity 2020
Moving Forward: Taking Action on Race and Equity
On Nov 19, 2020 the Points of Light Foundation hosted the first conversation in their Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism initiative, in partnership… more
Staff Training equity, inclusion 2020
Adopt-A-Shelf Job List - Cedar Rapids Public Library IA
This is the Job List for volunteers who "Adopt-A-Shelf" at the Cedar Rapids Iowa Public Library.  A related document is the Adopt-A-Shelf… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training Shelving 2020
Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits
This article from the National Council of Nonprofits not only describes the issue, but suggests ways to start making changes, and provides a number… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training racism, diversity, inclusion 2020
Power, Privilege, and Volunteerism
Volunteerism can reinforce patterns of power and privilege (whites and people of means as volunteers, and communities of color or those without means… more
Staff Training equity, inclusive, inclusion 2020
Intellectual Freedom Training for Volunteers - Multnomah County OR
Slide deck used by the Multnomah County Library to train volunteers about Intellectual Freedom.
Capacity Building intellectual freedom, volunteer training 2020
Introduction to Virtual Volunteering
This 35 minute recording is a presentation made by Jayne Cravens of Coyote Communications for the 2020 Points of Light Conference.
Staff Training virtual, remote 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training - Boulder CO
This powerpoint training was created for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. In addition to this powerpoint… more
Job Specific Volunteer TrainingCapacity Building COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
NextGen Nexus: Moving Beyond Awareness
This article answers the question: How do we build awareness about our issue among young Americans?
Millennials Gen Z 2020
Book Drop Helper and Sorter Training Video #1 - Boulder CO
This video was created as a portion of the training for Book Drop Helper and Sorter Volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The training… more
Job Specific Volunteer Training COVID-19, Book Drop 2020
COVID-19 Safety Protocols Training Powerpoint - Gail Borden PL, IL
This powerpoint was developed by the Gail Borden Public Library in Illinois to as part of its training for volunteers about safety issues and… more
Capacity Building COVID-19 2020
What Do Volunteers Want?
This article discusses the importance of following up with volunteers -- keeping them in the loop through good communication.
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers communications, followup 2020
Creating One-Time, Short-Term Group Volunteering Activities
Great ideas for two-hour-, half-day or one-day, one-time group volunteering activities that could be used to engage workplace volunteer groups,… more
Staff Training groups, corporate 2020
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
How to Build a Successful Volunteer Program
This brief guidebook was created by the International City/County Management Association.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training toolkit 2019
NextGen Nexus: A Peek Inside the Millennial Mind
What if you could have a young person authentically share their viewpoint about your social issue and cause? What would they say, and how can you… more
Millennials 2019
Do's and Don'ts of Supervising Library Volunteers
This July 2019 article from Public Libraries Online provides an excellent overview of working with volunteers in large and small libraries.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training supervision 2019
Beware of These 6 Trends Lurking in Your Volunteer Program
This brief article from November 2019 delineates troubling trends about volunteer engagement programs gleaned from the most recent Volunteer… more
Capacity Building 2019
Could Volunteers Replace Paid Staff?? Have No Fear!
An organization’s decision to bring in volunteers may spark fears that volunteers could eventually replace staff. After all, volunteers can do many… more
Staff TrainingEngaging Staff and Unions Staff Resistance, staff buy-in 2019