PLEASE REBUTTAL, RESPOND AND ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS OR POST STATEMENTS. MUST BE 150 WORDS (PLEASE), WRITE IN 3RD PERSON. ONLY ONE REFERENCE CAN BE USED FOR EACH ANSWER.
DQ 1. Volunteers are definitely an essential piece of a smoothly operated organization. Many people have found their passion or future careers through service and helping others. Volunteers are also stakeholders in the organization, and there should be a stakeholder analysis done to evaluate why they are interested in volunteering in the organization. For example, some may be interested in making new connections, to support a cause, or to gain work related skills etc., but what ever the reason might be, it should be addressed. Roles should be based on interests, previous experience, and personality in order for the volunteer to be effective and the company is able to benefit from their assistance.
Orienting and training volunteers is all dependent on the type and size of the organization (GCU Lecture, 2012). Another factor that comes to mind is whether the volunteers will be working directly or indirectly with staff members, and if volunteers are performing routinized task.
Grand Canyon (2012). Lecture on Volunteers as Stakeholders
DQ 2, Volunteers could play a very important role in any organization. Volunteers in the non-profit sector are the ones that seem to be the most committed to their role in volunteering. Role-based training for volunteers is very important in order to clarify the function of a volunteer within the organization. By explaining the role to volunteers the organization is acknowledging the value of its volunteers. In addition by role training volunteers the organization is preparing the volunteer in case any questions or situations might arise. Organizations must also be prepared and understand the cost of training volunteers. Many organizations will invest on training volunteers depending on the role each volunteer will be taking on. For example for volunteers that will be helping out on various occasions or special events, training would not be as extensive. However, for volunteers that will take big responsibilities such as being a board member, training will need to be much more extensive and comprehensive. Board members might have to attend weekend trainings or paid seminars to be able to acquire the knowledge to be an effective board member. Kipp, (2009) explains that most board member volunteers join because they believe deeply in the cause of the organization.
Kipp, M. F. (2009). Rethinking the Nonprofit Board. Nonprofit World, 27(6), 20-21.
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DQ 3. Volunteers are an integral part of many organizations and it is to the benefit of the organization to support and respect them as you would a paid employee. Volunteers provide a liaison with communities, valuable resources, exciting skills and knowledge. The best method when introducing volunteers to the organization is to provide an orientation where they are introduced the employees, to the mission, vision, and goals which the organization is striving towards to be successful. A reputable business wants the support and respect of the community it serves and the volunteers can be an important link to being able to achieve that. Once they have been oriented to the workforce then they should also receive training so that they have clarity on the day to day operations and the expectation of the leadership.
Basically, the volunteers should receive the same type of reception and welcoming as you would a paid employee. Many have expertise and a variety of areas and things that they have gleaned from previous associations can be an asset to the organization. Once they know that they are valued and know that their needs can also be met by affiliation with the organization that will assure the effectiveness of what they can contribute to the organization.
The volunteers should receive the same respect and acknowledgement as paid employees are entitled to. When an organization knows their demographics of the importance of volunteers and their influence this helps this organization determine the driving factors behind the volunteers and also generalizes the needs and influence. (Morton,2006).
Lastly, when I was teaching my 11th grade AVID students, they were encouraged to volunteer for as many organizations as possible to enhance their resumees and applications for college and future career endeavors. Volunteers provide a totally different nuance to organizations that are reciprocal to their affiliation.
Reference
Morton, L. (Spring 2006). Volunteers, Public Relations Quarterly 51(1), 42-22