Volunteer Resources

In October 2020, Volunteer Florida hosted its first Volunteer Leadership Virtual Convening. The event provided volunteer engagement leaders with tools to navigate the changing societal landscape and grow effective, creative volunteer programs.

View all recordings here, or click a session title below to view the presentation.

Special Sessions

• Convening Opening Session
• Volunteer Engagement Roundtable
• Keynote Presentation – The Power of People: Catalyzing a Civic Culture

Track 1: Rethinking Volunteer Engagement Strategies

• Principles for Great Pro Bono Projects in Organizations
• Fundamentals of Volunteer Risk Management
• Mental Health Awareness and Support in Volunteer Programs
• Volunteer Participation and Emergency Management Roles
• Understanding the Value of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Volunteerism, Part 1
• Understanding the Value of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Volunteerism, Part 2

Track 2: Establishing Volunteer Engagement Foundations

• Using Skills Based Volunteers – The Basics
• High Impact Interventions & The Civic Engagement Continuum
• Recruiting and Keeping the Best Volunteers – Marketing Secrets That We Can All Use
• Attracting and Engaging Volunteer Passion from the Outset
• Preparing Volunteers: Orientation and Training
• How to Inspire, Fire, or Move Challenging Volunteers
• Recognition and Volunteer Development
• Tips and Strategies for Measuring Skills-Based Volunteering

The Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (FLVOAD) recently released guidelines for voluntary organizations and their volunteers available here.

Volunteer Florida hosted a webinar series for public and private nonprofits who mobilize (or intend to mobilize) volunteers to strengthen Florida’s communities. This two-part series covered the full volunteer management cycle, from strategic planning to evaluation.

Part 1 of 2: Strategic Planning, Recruitment, Orientation and Training

• Recording Available Here
• Slides with References Available Here
• References and Resources Available Here

Part 2 of 2: Supervision, Recognition, Retention, Evaluation

• Recording Available Here
• Slides with References Available Here
• Resources Available Here

Volunteer Connect, the State’s official volunteer opportunities platform, provides a way for nonprofit and government agencies to share their needs with people who have an interest in volunteering. Learn how to register and about its key features. Post your opportunities now, as individuals look for ways to support their communities during the pandemic. 

• Recording Available Here

During this time, organizations need significant support and individuals want to help their communities in whatever ways they can. Virtual volunteering can be part of the solution. Virtual volunteering involves volunteers working remotely rather than onsite. From their homes, these volunteers can make phone calls, edit newsletters, search online for information and more. In this webinar, learn about creating and managing virtual opportunities.

• Recording Available Here
• Slides Available Here
• Sources and Resources Available Here
• Posting Virtual Volunteer Opportunities on Volunteer Connect

Learn more about using Volunteer Connect to recruit and manage volunteers in the midst of uncertain grey sky events, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Use Volunteer Connect to create a database of interested volunteers, schedule volunteers for current opportunities, and more.

Recording Available Here

This webinar provides a few key tips for posting engaging opportunities on Volunteer Connect.

• Recording Available Here

SERVING DURING DISASTERS

When disaster strikes, Floridians immediately search for ways to serve affected communities. You can support disaster relief efforts by connecting to available volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Connect.

STEP 1: REGISTER FOR VOLUNTEER CONNECT HERE.
You can then sign up for any opportunities you wish.

STEP 2: ADD YOUR INFORMATION TO OUR VOLUNTEER REGISTRY HERE.
If our partner organizations need potential volunteers, we will provide this resource to them.

STEP 3: BROWSE VOLUNTEER CONNECT FOR OPPORTUNITIES HERE.
Complete the Location and Distance fields for possible opportunities in your area.

STEP 4: PLEASE DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY
For your safety and to support trained emergency response teams, please confirm with a disaster relief organization the need for volunteers and approval for your participation.

STEP 5: REMEMBER TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK*.
Be sure to have a clear understanding of volunteer assignments, safety measures and points of contact.

VOLUNTEERING IN A COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT
Before volunteering onsite, click here to view the Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) suggested guidance.

WHAT YOU ALSO NEED TO KNOW:

• Immediate assistance for affected areas is provided by first responders, government groups, disaster relief organizations and affiliated volunteers who have already trained to serve.
• Each organization that mobilizes volunteers during disasters has its own process for accepting and managing unaffiliated volunteers.
• As our partner organizations assess needs and evaluate resources, they will begin to organize volunteer opportunities for unaffiliated (individuals who are not already connected to an organization) volunteers.
• Remember that recovery work continues for weeks, months and even years after disaster events occur. Organizations may have a significant need for volunteers in the weeks and months ahead.

*Volunteer Florida does not vet volunteer opportunities, but serves as a connector between organizations with volunteer needs and individuals who wish to serve. Please see Volunteer Connect Terms and Conditions here.