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 |
|---|---|---|---|
A Savior No One Needs: Unpacking and Overcoming the White Savior Complex
White savior complex is a term that’s used to describe white people who consider themselves wonderful helpers to Black, Indigenous and People of… more |
Staff Training | diversity, equity, inclusion | 2021 |
Outdoor Programming and Outreach Best Practices - Oklahoma City OK
Developed by the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City during the COVID-19 pandemic as a guide for staff. |
Capacity Building | outdoor, outreach, programming, COVID-19 | 2021 |
Engaging Volunteers: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Literature Review completed for AmeriCorps by ICF International in 2021. |
Capacity Building, Staff Training | literature | 2021 |
Volunteers and the Law: Legal Considerations
A good summary of legal issues from Tobi Johnson & Associates, 2021. |
Staff Training | law, legal | 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 |
How to Write Volunteer Recruitment Messaging that Converts
Strategies to enhance your volunteer recruitment. |
Capacity Building | Recruitment, Volunteer Recruitment | 2021 |
Co-Creating Racial Equity in Volunteer Engagement - MAVA
The Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement has been conducting research and education on race equity in volunteerism for 5 years. This is the… more |
Staff Training | diversity, equity, inclusion | 2021 |
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 |
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 Building, Staff Training | inclusive, racism, diversity | 2020 |
What Do Volunteers Want?
This article discusses the importance of following up with volunteers -- keeping them in the loop through good communication. |
Capacity Building, Engaging High Impact Volunteers | communications, followup | 2020 |
Volunteer Ethics & Risk Management: Should You Bring Volunteers In?
This blogpost on ethics and volunteer liability and risk management was prepared by Toby Johnson during the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020. It serves as… more |
Staff Training | Risk Management, liability, Liability Waiver | 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 Building, Staff Training | racism, diversity, inclusion | 2020 |
Social Media & Blog Content Guidelines for Staff & Volunteers - CMBCL, OR
This document is used by Cedar Mill & Bethany Community Libraries to provide guidelines for staff and volunteers who are assisting with community… more |
Engaging High Impact Volunteers, Job Specific Volunteer Training, Staff Training | social media, blog | 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 |
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 |
Are Young People Replacing Older People as the Key Volunteering Group?
A brief look at volunteering trends and key takeaways during COVID-19. |
Baby Boomers, Capacity Building, Millennials, Staff Training | COVID-19, generations, Millennials | 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 |
Skills Based Volunteerism 201: Project Scoping and Planning
This 1 hour archived webinar on preparing for skills-based volunteerism was presented by Serve Ohio in January 2020. |
Engaging High Impact Volunteers, Capacity Building, Staff Training | Skilled Volunteers, Skills Based Volunteers, high-impact volunteers | 2020 |
Homebound Delivery Volunteer Safety Requirements Sign-Off Sheet - Boulder CO
This list of safety requirements was created for Boulder Colorado Homebound Delivery volunteers returning to service during COVID-19. The volunteer… more |
Job Specific Volunteer Training, Capacity Building | Homebound, COVID-19 | 2020 |
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 Volunteers, Capacity Building | virtual volunteer, virtual, orientation, Volunteer Orientation | 2020 |