Home Resources for SMPs Volunteers

Volunteer Program Management

Program Development

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is funding a 3-year SMP Risk Management and Volunteer Program Management project. The overall purposes of the project are to decrease and manage risks related to volunteer involvement in SMPs and increase the management and coordination of volunteer efforts, thereby enhancing the reach and effectiveness of SMPs across America. SMPs will be safer for both volunteers and beneficiaries and liability exposure will decrease among SMP agencies. Click here for more information.

Resources

• August 2010  SMP Volunteer Risk and Program Management Questions and Answers with the Experts
• Model job descriptions for managers of volunteers
• National occupational standards for volunteer program management created in the UK.
• Structural Integrity: Retrofitting Volunteer Program Infrastructure: A Briefing Paper on Making The Case For Professional Management of Volunteer Programs
• Volunteer risk management and program management papers by Linda Graff
• Volunteer risk management and program management books by Linda Graff
• Volunteer program management publications by Steve McCurley
• The Health Assistance Partnership (HAP) provides a wealth of information for managing and developing a volunteer program, including tips and tools for recruitment, orientation, program development and training. Click here to access HAP's online volunteer program development resources.

Volunteer Recruitment

Recruitment is a challenge that all volunteer-based organizations face, but there are organizations out there that can help. Consider exploring paid and unpaid partnerships with the following organizations. These groups have a large retiree membership base, members with skill sets that are a great fit for the SMP program or general expertise in volunteer recruitment.

• AARP: Your local AARP may be able to get the message out to retirees in your community that the SMP program provides great opportunities to make a difference by helping peers protect themselves.
• SHIP: Your SHIP might be open to sharing volunteers who are already trained in the Medicare program. 
• Federal Retired Employees:  Programs related to federal retirees may connect you to population that is available and particularly apt to learn about about the Medicare program and how to prevent fraud.
• State Teachers Retirement Association: Local retired teacher associations could provide you access to a group that is highly skilled at making presentations.
• Universities: There may be potential SMP volunteers who work at local universities. There might be university retiree groups or you may be able contact potential retirees.
• Retired Executives Group (SCORE): This is an organization of retired executives who are available to advise businesses. There may be some members who are interested in working with their local SMP.
• RSVP:  With a paid partnership, you can access a thorough retiree volunteer database that is managed by local RSVPs.
• Volunteer Match: This organization will work with you for a fee to match volunteers.

Volunteer Training

It is essential that the heart and soul of the SMP program – volunteers – be provided the skills, tools and resources to meet the needs of the people they serve.

The Administration on Aging, in conjunction with the SMP Resource Center, is developing a comprehensive, standardized, national SMP Volunteer Training Program that will roll out to all SMP projects over the next few years. 

Currently available is the SMP Foundations: Volunteer Training, which provides volunteers with knowledge in these content areas:

• SMP Program
• Medicare Basics
• Medicare Fraud and Abuse

For More Information

• Independent Sector: Value of Volunteer Time
• Leading by Example, A Volunteer Leaders' Blog, National Council on Aging