Busy nonprofits need volunteers, right?

Well, not always right. Volunteers add value to your organization, just as paid employees do. Whether they are counseling, fundraising or performing any of the many tasks nonprofits do, they need to be able to do it, do it well, and do it when they say they will.

Nonprofits love their good volunteers — but that doesn’t mean they have to take in everyone who wants to volunteer.

Volunteers need to be properly interviewed, just like employees do. You need to assess what they want to do and what they have done successfully in the past. You need to screen out any potential volunteer who isn’t a good fit with your organization. It’s a good idea to have an application process. Set up a system where potential volunteers have to submit an application form or resume that gives an overview of:

  • Experience and skills, in both jobs and volunteering
  • Education
  • Specific reasons for wanting to volunteer with your organization
  • Hours available to volunteer

It goes against the grain of many nonprofits to turn away labor for a good cause that won’t tax your budget. However, think of the potential perils of saying yes to someone who really shouldn’t be in your organization.

If you say yes to someone whose resume and references indicate they simply won’t be good at the job, you will potentially create a situation that’s painful and frustrating for everyone.

Read the full article interviewing volunteers by Kayla Matthews at Engaging Volunteers.