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
Can We Reject a Volunteer?
What do you do when someone applies to volunteer and you realize they will not work out? How can we justify rejecting anyone who steps forward and… more
Interviewing VolunteersStaff Training Fire, reject, complaints 2018
Diagnosing the Causes of Volunteer Recruitment Problems
Jayne Cravens provides Questions to diagnose your volunteer recruitment problems.
Staff Training Recruitment 2018
You Can't Fire Me, I'm a Volunteer!
This quick read from Blue Avocado focuses on addressing volunteer dissatisfaction points to the right way to handle disgruntled volunteers.
Staff Training Fire, disgruntled 2018
Building Capacity: Strategic Volunteer Engagement
In this Points of Light blog post, the point is made that organizations that build a culture of volunteerism, and purposefully embed volunteerism… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training Strategic 2018
Grow Staff Volunteer Harmony
Tips from Energize Inc. on helping staff to work more productively with volunteers.
Engaging Staff and Unions staff buy-in 2018
VolunteerMatch Re-Posting Tutorial
Reposting is THE MOST IMPORTANT step you can take to get your opportunities noticed on VolunteerMatch. Why? Because VolunteerMatch searches are… more
VolunteerMatch Tools and Resources VolunteerMatch 2018
GenerationOn Projects, Ideas and Resources
Looking for possible library volunteer projects for kids, teens and/or families? Check out GenerationOn's projects and resources to get some… more
Millennials Teens, family volunteering 2018
Why Should We Pay Attention to Volunteer Trends?
If we could see the coming volunteering trends, we could prepare for them, right? Thirty years ago, were there signs that volunteers wanted more… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers trends, corporate 2018
Successfully Managing Library Volunteer Program Changes
What should you do when it’s time to change the policies and procedures that govern or guide the volunteers that work with your organization? How can… more
Capacity BuildingStaff Training change management 2018
Volunteers are the Reputational Assets Your Organization is Overlooking
A great reminder in a brief article by Erin Rebecca Spink.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training 2017
A Different Kind of Volunteer Work: More companies are encouraging employees to donate their professional expertise
This brief September, 2017 Wall Street Journal article speaks to societal factors leading to the increase in corporate pro bono programs.
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact Volunteers 2017
Are You in a Volunteer Management Silo?
A classic piece by Susan Ellis describing why we need to get out of our comfort zone and expand our thinking once in a while.
Staff Training Professional Development 2017
How to Turn Away Volunteers and Still Have an OK Day
In this August, 2017 article, Elisa Kosarin shares her basics for making this difficult experience manageable.
Volunteer Screening / InterviewingInterviewing VolunteersStaff Training 2017
Small Library VolunteerMatch Success -- Johnson City TX
In this 4 & 1/2 minute video, Johnson City Texas Library Director, Maggie Goodman, shares her successful experience in posting a need for IT… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersOn-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and Resources rural, small, maker space, LinkedIn, VolunteerMatch 2017
Small Library VolunteerMatch Success Story - Brownwood Texas
In this 2 minute video, Brownwood Texas Library Director, Becky Isbell, shares her successful experience in posting a need for a skilled graphic… more
Capacity BuildingEngaging High Impact VolunteersOn-line Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteerMatch Tools and Resources rural, Skilled Volunteers, VolunteerMatch 2017
Why Company Sponsored Volunteer Programs are Keeping Millennials Happy at Work
What motivates millennials to stay in a job is having an impact on corporate social responsibility.
Volunteer RecruitmentMillennials Millennials, high-impact volunteers, Recruitment 2016
Checklist to Minimize the Most Common Volunteer Risks
A good basic list of issues to consider and how to approach them.
Capacity BuildingStaff Training Risk Management 2016
If Your Board Looked Like Your Community
While written by an Arts organization, the 4 “Hurdles” described, along with strategies to consider and actions to take are relevant to all… more
Staff Training diversity, inclusion, inclusive 2016
Millenials and Volunteering: Bridging the Generation Gap
Every day my LinkedIn feed and various business magazines are filled with articles about Millennials. Generally, the writer advises the reader on how… more
Millennials Millenials, young volunteers, Recruitment 2015
Target Market Success Story: Volunteers with Full Time Jobs
Ever wonder how and why someone with a full time job would be willing and able to volunteer at the library? Here's a 5 minute video clip of one… more
Engaging High Impact Volunteers 2015