How to Start a Community Volunteer Program

You want to make a contribution to your community that extends far beyond your initial action. You want to involve others, creating a group of caring and concerned citizens that give of their time to help. As you form your volunteer program, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Instructions

1. Arrange for the local newspaper to run a story about your new community volunteer program. Provide them with your plans and arrange a date for an initial meeting of interested parties.

2. Determine which projects you want to pursue first. A volunteer program can exist to support a specific venue, like a hospital or a home meal-delivery program, or it can expand to offer services in many areas, even in school classrooms and animal shelters. Make a list of your top 6 choices, then whittle it down to the 3 most important. Start there and diversify as your numbers grow.

3. Elect officers from the parties that show up at the first meeting. You will need a secretary, a treasurer, a president and vice president. You may want to serve in one of those positions, or remain as an active coordinator that oversees the progress at this point. Set tentative dates for regular meetings once or twice a month, and determine where they will be held.

4. Start recruiting volunteers. You will need to provide clear and concise training and guidelines to follow. Screen candidates for your community volunteer program carefully, making notes about the time they have to donate, and their background in volunteer services. You need to determine the level of their commitment to your volunteer program.

5. Thank everyone who offers their time and plan an end-of-the-year awards ceremony to honor the top volunteers. As your membership grows, so will your program's good name in the community.