Online Induction >> Volunteer Training
Published 18/04/2023
Guide to Volunteer Online Training: Best Design, Setup and Tips
A volunteer online training platform allows both experienced volunteers as well as individuals interested in starting out in their career journey with access to web-based studying materials covering topics such as community leadership, health & safety protocols and general guidance applicable when working with diverse populations. Many volunteer organizations have adopted these platforms due to its cost effective nature during times of budget constraints; this has led volunteers from different parts of the globe gain skills which regular educational institutions may not offer.
Volunteer online training is quickly becoming the norm, due to its convenience and cost effectiveness. In this guide, we'll cover the steps you need to take in order to get your volunteer online training up and running. From picking the right platform for hosting your sessions to creating an engaging syllabus for volunteers, there's a lot that goes into establishing successful virtual-training experiences for your volunteers. Let's dive in so you can start recruiting passionate individuals who are eager to learn from your organization or cause!
Starting off with the foundation of any effective volunteer online training platform: curriculum creation. Choosing lessons that are relevant and informative will ensure all participants feel engaged during their sessions, meaning it's important to craft detailed course outlines beforehand. To do so, think about what key topics should be discussed each session based on both general knowledge levels as well as pre-existing skillsets possessed by those taking part in the program - this way everyone moves through at their own pace while still benefiting from new information. Additionally don't forget exams if applicable; these help gauge how much material has been retained by students but also instills an atmosphere of accountability within each topic area covered!
This will commonly be part of your
volunteer onboarding process.
Volunteer Training Examples and Course Templates
Check out our library of ready to go volunteer training courses, programs and onboarding you can use as is or customise:
Designing Effective Volunteer Training
With revolutionary technology coming into play by creating convenient yet comprehensive experiences for users - especially those who are located far away or with limited time availability - more organizations can provide support via remote platforms where they don't physically need be present at each step throughout entire ongoing projects. Having access to technical resources from multiple networks makes even bigger impacts by eliminating unforeseen obstacles while participating individually or together in global initiatives which require collaboration between distant teams.
A volunteer training package should contain all the necessary information that your volunteers need to know in order to be successful and safe. It is important to create an effective program that outlines precisely what they will be doing while they are volunteering with your organisation. Here we look at some of the main items that should feature in a complete and thorough volunteer training package.
The first item is knowledge-building material such as safety guidelines, relevant policies, how-to guides etc. This type of information provides volunteers with valuable tips and advice which helps them make well informed decisions when carrying out their duties as volunteers. Additionally, it can also provide additional guidance related to job roles so that everyone participating knows exactly what is expected from them before taking part in any activities or projects associated with volunteering for your organisation.
Next comes foundation level instruction outlining core values and expectations from both sides; this includes important details such as organization operating procedures, effectively dealing customer inquiries/complaints etc., It also acts as an essential resource providing ongoing support during times of difficulty/crisis or simply helping new recruits come up quickly up-to speed with day-day philanthropic initiatives run by your charity group or NGO team .
Thirdly there needs to be formal assessment criteria which sets benchmarks for evaluation purposes; this could involve skills testing combined practising among project teams - particularly vital if more complex tasks are required later down the line! Together these modules form a framework allowing management review individual performance periodically throughout their tenure whilst gaining feedbacks towards building better success rate moving forward (both internally & externally)
Check out our library of different ready to go volunteer training templates and samples right here:
Why is it important to run a volunteer training program?
We all know that volunteers are the backbone of many great organizations, charities and causes. But what many people don't consider is how important it is to have a proper training program in place for those who take on volunteer roles. Training programs provide invaluable support and guidance so that the organization can reap the benefits of their hard work, but also ensure that each volunteer feels
capable and confident in their role.
For starters, having a training program allows an organization to clearly communicate expectations for its volunteers; both in terms of deliverables as well as attitude and behaviour at events or within teams. Not only does this encourage collaboration between existing team members but also ensures any conflicts or misunderstandings can be quickly nipped in the bud without wreaking havoc across the entire team dynamic. Having structured guidelines avoids confusion among newbies which ultimately leads to higher productivity levels - allowing more time for actual volunteering activities!
Finally, going through training helps to itemize responsibilities amongst different positions; whether its setting up tables during event days or creating materials like posters informing potential donors about appeals - these things need specific assignments handed out before they can be successfully executed by a group of volunteers working together. Doing away with individual micromanaging increases efficiency throughout significantly since there are no guesswork involved when carrying out tasks after some initial orientation seminars/workshops coupled with post-activity de-briefs (if necessary).
Setup your Online Volunteer Training
Try using our online volunteer training platform to build your first volunteer online training for volunteers right here: