To successfully establish a volunteer program, the organization must commit both financial and human resources to the program. The challenge is to create opportunities for interesting and meaningful work that furthers the goals of the organization and meets the needs of the volunteer. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the US published this guide in 2008.
Investing In Volunteers: A Guide to Volunteer Management
Volunteerism is very much alive in today’s busy world with nearly 44 percent of Americans volunteering. The biggest population groups finding satisfaction in donating their time and talents are baby boomers and young adults. Americans over 75 and retired persons, too, are spending more time in volunteer activities. This is welcome news for nonprofit organizations whose worlds were essentially turned upside down in the 1970s when the traditional pool of available volunteers, women, entered the work force. The loss of these daytime workers forced many organizations to rework their volunteer programs, resulting in a more professional approach to volunteer management. Stiff competition among nonprofit organizations for available workers has produced higher program standards for both volunteers and volunteer administrators.