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Gain a better understanding of volunteers

Chapter 5:
Supporting and recognising volunteers

Supporting and recognising volunteers

To support and recognise you need to first understand your volunteers.

How to have a two-way conversation with your volunteers?

​Informal

  • Arranging informal sessions (eg monthly coffee sessions) for volunteers to allow them to build a sense of community and interact with staff

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Formal

  • Keep notes of observations and discussions about skill development and contribution of volunteers on their personnel file

  • Open door policy for volunteers to raise concerns

  • Speak to volunteers at regular junctures

Guiding questions to better understand your volunteers

  1. Note who is the volunteer, role and time committed. 

  2. Did you have a positive experience volunteering with us so far?

  3. Do you feel appreciated for your contributions?

  4. That would help you sustain your interests in the long term?

    • Training and development opportunities

    • More guidance and interaction with staff

    • Opportunities to try out different volunteering opportunities apart from your current role 

    • Appreciation and social/bonding events with other volunteers

    • More updates on the programme and services involved in 

  5. Would you like to continue volunteering with us after this programme?

  6. Please provide any other feedback you may have to improve your time here.

What to do after receiving the feedback?

  1. Consolidate and document the sharings.

  2. Review and identify common areas that were brought up for improvement.

  3. Brainstorm with the staff of the different departments to address the issue.

  4. VMs can also share action plans with volunteers to assure them feedback has been heard.

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