Volunteer Management

Volunteers + Values: A Repair the World Report on Jewish Young Adults [download PDF]
Fern Chertok, Joshua Tobias, Shira Rosin, Matthew Boxer and Jim Gerstein

This June 2011 report examines findings from a ground-breaking study by Repair the World on young adult volunteerism in the Jewish community. It is useful to those developing and managing volunteer projects in the Jewish communal world. The report studies what drives young Jews to volunteer, what motivates them and how Jewish social service organizations can keep them involved in their work.

Sustainability Projects for Volunteers [download PDF]
Jewish Greening Fellowship of Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Presented by Rachel Jacoby-Rosenfield

This presentation provides 1) an overview of the Jewish Greening Fellowship, its history and the goals and objectives of participants in the program; 2) suggestions and ideas for volunteer managers about next steps for green and sustainable volunteer projects that can easily be implemented at their agencies. The presentation was delivered at the UJA-Federation of New York Volunteer Coordinators Meeting held on October 27, 2010.

New York Cares Leadership Ladder [download PDF]
Cynthia M Gibson, PhD, Author and Gregg G Van Ryzin, PhD, Research Director

This 2010 study of volunteer engagement at New York Cares provides insight on how research and program evaluation can be utilized in order to build or rebuild a volunteer services organization into a more robust and nimble volunteer services organization. Key findings include; 1) the importance of marketing and communications efforts, especially a user friendly and dynamic web presence; 2) the need for a fresh, impactful and educational volunteer orientation process; 3) how to leverage and plan on-going and personalized communications with all volunteers; 4) most importantly, how volunteer leadership opportunities can strengthen your volunteer services programs from top to bottom.

Mitzvah Day Manual [download PDF]
UJA-Federation of New York

This guide is intended to serve as an educational tool for schools, youth groups, synagogues, nonprofit agencies, and any other organization or individual who is planning for a day of community service. One-day community service opportunities or mitzvah days involve New York residents in projects that help care for those in need, protect and preserve our environment, and enact Jewish values for the benefit of the local community. It is our hope that this resource guide will help your organization navigate a day of community service.

Volunteers Management Training Manual [download PDF]
UJA-Federation of New York

This manual is intended to support UJA-Federation's training program for volunteer leaders — volunteers who manage other volunteers — and enable those who direct and support other volunteers at human-service agencies throughout the New York metropolitan area. Volunteers come from many different backgrounds and are special individuals who give of themselves to help others.

Volunteer Management Capacity Survey Summary of Key Findings [download PDF]
USA Freedom Corps

This resource includes 15 key findings from a 2003–2004 survey of nearly 3,000 charities. Findings show that four our of five charities actively use volunteers, and nine out of ten say volunteers brought benefits to the organization and that the best and most effective volunteer programs were those with paid staff managing them.

Volunteer Management Practices and Retention of Volunteers [download PDF]
Mark A. Hager and Jeffrey L. Brudney

This 2003 report examines findings from the Volunteer Management Capacity Study, such as the degree to which nonprofits employ best practices in volunteer management. The size, scope, and field of practice all have an effect on the adoption and success of volunteer management. Specific management practices are reviewed for positive or negative impact on volunteer retention.

Volunteer Management in America’s Religious Organizations [download PDF]
Kimberly A. Spring and Robert T. Grimm, Jr.

This 2003 report presents findings from the Volunteer Management Capacity Study, examining how volunteers at religiously affiliated organizations are used — in education, emergency services, etc.; how managed; and whether by paid staff or by other volunteers, for example.

Balancing Act: The Challenges and Benefits of Volunteers [download PDF]
Mark A. Hager and Jeffrey L. Brudney

This 2004 report is the fourth in a series that examines findings from the Volunteer Management Capacity Study. Two topics are the recruitment and management of volunteers and organizational benefits that accompany the use of volunteers. A “Net Benefits” worksheet is also provided so  organizations can calculate the degree to which volunteers "pay off".

Reinventing Aging Baby Boomers and Civic Engagement [download PDF]
Harvard School of Public Health and the MetLife Foundation

This 2003 report examines whether baby boomers can be successfully mobilized in community giving and volunteerism; whether local agencies are prepared for an influx of volunteers of this demographic; and how agencies can reach baby boomers.

Volunteering and Community Service [download PDF]
Steven Rathgeb Smith

This 1999 review of three articles on volunteerism looks into issues around the benefits and challenges of volunteer programs. Specifically, how successful volunteer programs are in engaging high school students, legal issues surrounding mandatory volunteerism in high school settings, and health benefits associated with volunteerism.

Other Materials

For copies of the following materials, contact us at 1.212.836.1883 or .

Can This Marriage Be Saved? Thoughts on Making the Paid Staff/Volunteer Relationship Healthier
by Deborah Schroder

This 1988 article examines the types of nonproductive relationships that exist between professional staff and volunteers at many organizations, and why these relationships are faulty. The article ends with a skit that brings to life a poor relationship.

Strengthening Volunteerism: A Guide for Jewish Federations
United Jewish Communities Human Services & Social Policy Pillar Volunteerism Task Force

This 2005 report examines current trends in volunteerism, who are volunteers, types of volunteer programs and how they are managed, how to make volunteer opportunities Jewish, and how to build strong volunteer programs. Resources and bibliographies are also provided.

Tapping Family Potential
by Leah Kerkman, writing in The Chronicle of Philanthropy

This 2006 article explores the benefits of family volunteer programs that include children as active volunteer participants. DOROT, a beneficiary agency that's New York’s human-service organization for the elderly, is featured as a successful example that actively engages children as volunteers.

When Everyone’s A Volunteer: The Effective Functioning of All-Volunteer Groups
Ivan H. Scheier

This 2003 book discusses how to run a successful program with all volunteer staff. Topics include setting goals, messaging, budget and fundraising issues, and recruitment. The book also provides exercises and scripts to be used in volunteer development.