Volunteer Management: Introducing Students to the Art and the Science

Abstract

Textbooks and lectures can convey the science of volunteer management; however, the art of volunteer management is developed through experience and reflection. This teaching activity gives students practice in developing a volunteer program and in identifying mission and position-specific nuances to volunteer management. Over the course of three nonconsecutive class sessions, students focus on one mission area, identifying volunteer positions, types of volunteers, likely motivations for volunteering, training needed, preferred training format, formal and informal recognition activities, and appropriate evaluation/feedback processes. Through this process, they apply volunteer management best practices in creative ways, responding to the needs of the organization and the volunteers it is likely to attract. The activity was designed for in-person undergraduate classes, but it can be adapted for graduate students, online courses, and longer in-class sessions.