Volunteer Leaders in Action!: Streamlining & Personalizing the Volunteer Onboarding Process
In this interview with Ben Quintel, Community Engagement Coordinator at Our Neighbors' Table (ONT), we discuss Ben's connection to the organization's mission as his volunteer leader superpower, and dig in to why volunteer onboarding is such a critical step of volunteer engagement, steps he's taken to make onboarding a more streamlined and welcoming process for volunteers, and how the management software he uses saves him time as a volunteer manager. He also shares how his organization approaches volunteer appreciation.
Feeling a strong connection to mission is a volunteer leader superpower, and sharing that with people who are equally passionate makes the work so easy.
Volunteer Onboarding is Everything
Providing a positive experience and how we make people feel during this time is the currency we use to incentivize them to keep coming back!
Welcome people and introduce them to others
Help them feel comfortable and oriented in the space
Help them have a good time
Connect them with their impact
Streamlining & Personalizing Volunteer Onboarding
Ben shares how we approaches volunteer onboarding the way his organization approaches food access for their customers – by removing as many barriers as possible. To streamline the onboarding process he and his team have taken steps to make things quick, simple and personal:
Provide clear and concise information about roles and onboarding steps
Eliminate unnecessary back & forth inefficiencies to help get people in the door as soon as possible
Empower people to sign up for their own orientation sessions
Provide regular orientation sessions geared toward getting started and specific roles - ONT provides about 2 orientations every month
Gather feedback after orientation – Ben uses a 3 question survey to get feedback on orientation
Track metrics that show where people tend to drop out - then follow up by email - Ben tracks how many volunteer applicants attend orientation, how many do a first shift after orientation, and how many come back after their first shift. When he spots issues, he follows up to ask what might be getting in the way and how he can provide support.
Keep people informed about increased times of need, and when you can really use their help.
Follow up email after the orientation
Check-in after a first shift – Ben prioritizes following up personally to ask how the first shift went, and to thank them for their time.
Leveraging Technology for Time Management
We also talked about how volunteer management software is a real game changer for making the most of your time as a volunteer leader, capturing information and feedback that can help track successes and opportunities to improve your program, quickly find volunteers with a specific skill set you might be looking for, and ultimately free up more time to spend with your volunteers!
Ready to talk about your onboarding process and opportunities to streamline, leverage volunteer management platforms, and optimize your volunteers' experience? Email me to learn more.