ORIENTATION BEST PRACTICES
Volunteer orientation and volunteer training are two different things. While it is imperative that a volunteer understand how to do their volunteer job via role-specific training, they also need to understand why that work is needed, and what specific values your organization upholds via a general volunteer orientation. Every volunteer who works at your organization should receive an orientation, regardless of whether they are there for one shift or making a commitment to volunteer for several years.
Orientations are a chance to express the expectations that the organization has for each of its volunteers. A volunteer orientation is also a chance for volunteers to connect with one another and to establish a relationship with a point person at the organization whom they can turn to if they have questions or experience any issues.
BEST PRACTICES
1. Understand the time your volunteer is willing to commit to their role. Volunteers approaching your organization for different periods of time have different needs. Consider adapting the resources you provide to each volunteer based on the length of their commitment:
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Short-term/One-time volunteer
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In-person or online orientation
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Visual tools
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Long-term volunteer
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All resources given to short-term volunteer
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Peer volunteer
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Reflection tools
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2. Provide each volunteer with a handbook about their responsibilities and expectations as a volunteer.
3. As soon as possible, implement the peer volunteer system and connect volunteers to the existing volunteer network at your organization.
4. Introduce opportunities volunteers can provide feedback about the orientation process itself and the organization as a whole. Make it clear to volunteers that their feedback is welcome, and provide an outlet for that feedback throughout their volunteer experience.
5. Introduce opportunities for further learning. Orientations can be an overwhelming amount of information to a volunteer, and they may be eager to start their work. Offer opportunities for future learning, such as workshops, online videos, and physical materials given to the volunteers to read later.
6. Celebrate the volunteers! Ensure that they feel appreciated, even for simply coming to learn more about the organization.