Role and Benefits of a Volunteer Coordinator
What is a Volunteer Coordinator?
A Volunteer Coordinator helps manage the volunteers in a club. In small clubs, the position could be filled by one person or, in larger clubs, by a team of people, each with defined tasks. For example, a team of three might divide the role into the following tasks:
- finding and inducting new volunteers
- record keeping and formal processes
- recognising volunteers and succession planning.
OR
- coaches
- officials
- other volunteers
- Volunteer Coordinators (or teams) benefit clubs by:
- breaking down volunteer roles into smaller roles or tasks
- acting as a designated person to support volunteers
- helping increase the number of volunteers
- assisting in the retention of volunteers
- protecting the club by ensuring that club policies and procedures are followed
- assigning tasks and spreading the workload among volunteers to prevent 'burnout'
- maintaining clear communication channels with the committee or board
- ensuring volunteers feel valued and supported.
- The role of a Volunteer Coordinator (or team) may include:
- ensuring clubs have the appropriate policies and procedures to support volunteers
- promoting volunteer opportunities and attracting volunteers to the club
- identifying a complete list of volunteers required for the club
- identifying roles and responsibilities of volunteer positions
- recruiting volunteers and matching them to specific roles
- selecting and screening volunteers
- inducting new volunteers
- identifying training opportunities
- recognising and rewarding volunteers
- keeping records and documenting relevant information on volunteers
- ensuring a future for the club by developing volunteers to take on future roles within the club (succession planning)
- maintaining good communication channels between volunteers and the rest of the club.
- Volunteer Coordinators (or teams) may also be involved in:
- season planning
- resolving conflict
- working with the secretary to organise volunteer rosters and maintain records
- submitting regular reports to the club / group committee
- developing a policy on volunteering in conjunction with the rest of the club
- ensuring that volunteering is addressed in the club's strategic plan.