Safe Food For the Hungry -- II
Group Activity 3: Evaluating Volunteer Programs
Objectives:
During this activity participants will compare and contrast their volunteer program
to the programs of other group members and develop strategies for a more effective
volunteer program. Specifically, participants will:
- Use the Bull's Eyes from Learning Center Activity 6: Developing an Effective Volunteer
Management Program to see how their program compares to others.
- Compare and contrast volunteer management programs, problems, and solutions.
- List all jobs volunteers might do in their organization.
- Write a sample job description.
Materials:
- flip charts or newsprint
- markers
- Bull's Eyes from Learning Center Activity 6
Instructions for Teaching:
- Break a large group (>8) into smaller groups.
- Ask each group to examine and discuss one of the Bull's Eyes from Learning Center
Activity 6. Where do most programs fall? How does their individual program compare
to others?
- Encourage each group to make a list of jobs that volunteers can do in their organization.
- Ask each group to pick one job and use the Job Description Worksheet in their Participant's
Workbook to write a job description.
- Ask participants to list their strategies for obtaining and keeping volunteers.
Discuss similarities and differences.
Job Description Worksheet:
Think of a volunteer role that is vital to your program's success. Use this sheet
to develop a job description for that position.
Title: _____________________________________________________
Purpose: ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Responsibilities: __________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Contact Person: ____________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________
Resources Available:________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Qualifications: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Time Required: _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
How Much is Your Program "Gambling" with Volunteer-Related Risks?*
First, consider each of the following statements carefully. Then decide, for your
volunteer program, if the statement is
ALWAYS TRUE, SOMETIMES TRUE, or
NEVER
TRUE, or if you
DON'T KNOW. Finally, circle the most appropriate
answer.
1. A written job description exists for each type of
volunteer position.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
2. All volunteers receive equal recognition opportunities.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
3. Written job descriptions should only include a broad
description of a volunteer's responsibilities.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
4. The program helps volunteers understand that they assume
some personal risks as a volunteer.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
5. The program uses separate volunteer applications for
different volunteer positions.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
6. Volunteer training opportunities are provided on a regular
basis.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
7. An immediate supervisor should document not only a
volunteer's strengths but weaknesses/problems as well.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
8. Individualized volunteer training is available.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
9. Questions asked in a volunteer interview should vary from
applicant to applicant.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
10. Each volunteer is evaluated on a periodic basis.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
11. A volunteer should be encouraged to do more than
identified in the job description.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
12. Volunteers should never have the opportunity to evaluate
paid program staff.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
13. Although required of all volunteer applicants, references
may sometimes be waved.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
14. Paid program staff review written job descriptions with
volunteers.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
15. It is not necessary to interview every volunteer
applicant.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
16. Evaluations should only be used to praise a volunteer's
work.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
17. When volunteers are given expanded responsibilities,
additional training is not necessary.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
18. All written job descriptions identify the paid staff to
whom the volunteer is responsible.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
19. The program provides all volunteers with supplemental
personal liability insurance.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
20. Specific limitations/qualifications required for a
volunteer position should never be included in the job
description.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
*Developed by R. Dale Safrit, Mary Merrill, and Niki Nestor
McNeely for A High Stakes Affair, March 1995.
Calculating Your Score
Score your response to each separate question using the key below. Add the twenty
individual scores to calculate your total score.
Always True Sometimes True Never True Don't Know
1. 1 2 3 3
2. 1 2 3 3
3. 3 2 1 3
4. 1 2 3 3
5. 3 2 1 3
6. 1 2 3 3
7. 1 2 3 3
8. 1 2 3 3
9. 3 2 1 3
10. 1 2 3 3
11. 3 2 1 3
12. 3 2 1 3
13. 3 2 1 3
14. 1 2 3 3
15. 3 2 1 3
16. 3 2 1 3
17. 3 2 1 3
18. 1 2 3 3
19. 1 2 3 3
20. 3 2 1 3
Interpreting Your Score
20-29 Jackpot Winner!!
Yours is an ideal program! You are well aware of the risks involved with working
with your volunteers and you have designed effective strategies to address the risks.
30-50 A Good Bluffer Luck has been on your side!
Although some cards are in your favor, it may only be a matter of time before you
are dealt a bad hand. And, it only takes one bad hand to loose the game. Are you
always certain which cards are wild?
51-60 High Stakes Gambler
Presently your program has little to win but much to lose! You hold a lot of wild
cards in your hand, and losses could be enormous. Better learn to stack the deck
a little better.