Volunteer Management

Volunteer Risk and Program Management Project

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is funding a Volunteer Risk and Program Management (VRPM) project. Now in its third year, the project aims to decrease and manage risks related to volunteer involvement in SMPs and increase the management and coordination of volunteer efforts. Click here for the VRPM page.

Volunteer Program Development and Management

Building a strong volunteer program takes time and requires attention. Those who serve in the role of Coordinator of Volunteers have responsibility for several program development and management tasks including recruitment, screening, placement, training, supervision, performance management, recognition, retention and implementing risk management strategies. Click here for more information about the Coordinator of Volunteers role and informative publications to guide those who coordinate SMP volunteer programs.   

Volunteer Recruitment

The SMP program relies on volunteers to carry out many of its public education and counseling tasks. Effective recruitment strategies, tools and partners are among the keys to finding the right people for SMP volunteer positions. Click here to learn more.

Volunteer Screening

Careful screening for applicants for SMP volunteer positions is essential to managing risk, making appropriate placements, and ensuring volunteer satisfaction. Click here for information and resources relating to the screening process for prospective SMP volunteers.

Performance Management

A key principle in managing volunteers is to support them to ensure their success in their roles. To achieve this, SMPs have a constructive, positive and success-oriented performance management system in place. Click here for resources.

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 SMP program is committed to providing effective training programs to equip volunteers with the information and skills they need to succeed in their roles. Click here for more on SMP training programs. 

For More Information

• Getting Started: Working with Volunteer Host Organizations to Implement Risk and Volunteer Management Policies The Sentinel newsletter
• Wage Equivalent of Volunteer Time
• Leading by Example, A Volunteer Leaders' Blog National Council on Aging