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Florida Volunteer Management Training Certificate Program

A Statewide Partnership between the Florida Association of Volunteer Centers and Volunteer Florida: The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service

The Florida Volunteer Management Training Certificate Program is a partnership among the Florida Association of Volunteer Centers, Volunteer Florida and the Points of Light Foundation. The program is designed to build the capacity of local volunteer administrators across Florida by providing accessible, affordable, high-quality training in the best practices of volunteer management.

The program currently is being conducted at numerous Volunteer Centers in Florida. Graduates include professionals from the public and private sector who are responsible for the management of volunteers within their agencies.

Volunteer Centers offering the Volunteer Administration Certification Program

Implementation

Florida Partners, Policy, Procedures and Process
Identify state and national partners
  • Florida Association of Volunteer Centers
  • Volunteer Florida
  • Points of Light Foundation
  • Association for Volunteer Administration
Identify local partners
  • Social service agencies
  • Government agencies
  • Associations
  • Community colleges and universities
Identify and document need National Studies: Association of Volunteer Administrators, UPS, Independent SectorExisting certification programs in state or local areaNeeds assessment with local Agencies executive directors, Director of Volunteer Administrators (DOVA) members, Volunteer Center staff

Identify Learning Objectives

(Modified from the POLF Volunteer Management Training Series Curriculum)

 Objectives:  Course One - Understanding Volunteers
  1. Identify five main elements of effective volunteer program management.
  2. List four characteristics of organizations that engage volunteers effectively.
  3. Identify five current trends in volunteering.
  4. Identify three social motivators and how they apply to volunteer placement.

Objectives:  Course Two - Planning Your Volunteer Program

  1. List at least four reasons why it is important to assess the needs for the volunteer program.
  2. Identify at least three different methods of conducting needs assessments.
  3. Identify the differences among vision, mission and purpose statements.
  4. Write a purpose statement for your volunteer program that states how the volunteer program contributes to the achievement of the organization’s mission.
  5. Identify at least three criteria for appropriate volunteer positions.
  6. Write a volunteer position description that includes at least four specific elements.
  7. Identify at least three key elements to include in a volunteer program budget.

Objectives:  Course Three - Recruiting and Placing Volunteers

  1. List three steps to effectively recruit and place volunteers.
  2. Write a volunteer position description that meets the organization's priority needs, goals and mission; ensures the maximized use of underutilized volunteers; identifies features and benefits; and conveys a powerful message.
  3. Write a plan to improve volunteer recruitment and placement with five action items. 

Objectives:  Course Four - Training Volunteers

  1. Identify four steps in training volunteers.
  2. Identify and define three types of learning.
  3. Identify four principles of effective volunteer training design and demonstrate one principle.
  4. List four principles/decisions of training delivery.
  5. List four ways to evaluate the effectiveness of training.

Objectives:  Course Five - Supervising Volunteers

  1. Increase knowledge of three steps in supervising volunteers.
  2. Identify five strategies for volunteer supervision.
  3. Write a plan with at least seven action steps for improving volunteer supervision.

Objectives:  Course Six - Evaluating Your Volunteer Program

  1. Identify four steps to evaluate a volunteer program.
  2. Complete a written plan to evaluate a volunteer program using the POLF Volunteer Program Evaluation Plan Worksheet.
  3. Develop next steps for improving current evaluation of the volunteer program by completing the POLF Next Steps Worksheet.
Curriculum Points of Light Volunteer Management Series (modified)
Testing Post-test conducted at the conclusion of each course
Statewide Certification Requirements
  1. Participant must register with local Volunteer Center for the course using the statewide application.  Local Volunteer Centers can request additional information on the application, if needed.
  2. Participant must pass Florida Volunteer Administrators Certification program post-test.
State Certificate of Accomplishment A Certification of Accomplishment is issued to successful participants.  The certificate includes: the State of Florida seal, Florida Association of Volunteer Centers, Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Florida logos; name of volunteer center providing certification program, number of modules; name of participant; and signed by the president of the Florida Association of Volunteer Centers and the CEO of Volunteer Florida.
This program does not credential participants as a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA). 
Participant Fee

Participant Fee: $240 per participant; may include discounts for agency members of Volunteer Centers, national service programs or other partner organizations.

Optional Test-Out Fee is $50 to $75 for the entire course, or $10 per module. A participant choosing the test-out option takes the 90 minute open-book test, but does not sit in on the lectures. A participant seeking the test-out option is approved by the volunteer center because he/she meets certain requirements, for example has a degree in volunteer administration or has extensive experience in the volunteer management field.

Some centers may have restrictions on collecting fees as resource generation; however, it is important that fees cover all costs of training. Market economics may be considered in reducing the fees.
Schedules Each Volunteer Center sets their own schedule based on availability of trainers, training facilities and community calendars.
Location It is recommended that trainings be conducted in appropriate training rooms that provide adequate space, appropriate technology, comfortable setting and a great learning environment.
Class Size Ideal size is 15-25 people.  It is recommended that no more than 35 people be enrolled in each class.
Scholarships Volunteer Centers are encouraged to seek funding from local organizations and corporations so that scholarships can be available to applicants.  Scholarship applications should be developed, reviewed and awarded by the Volunteer Center or its designee.
Application To apply for this program, each participant must complete a statewide application and submit it to their local Volunteer Center.  Each center will select the local participants.
Program Evaluation Each Volunteer Center is encouraged to develop, administer and track program evaluation forms.  The findings should be reported to primary partners and used to modify the program accordingly for future classes.
Anticipated Benefits Recipients of the Florida Volunteer Administrator Certificate may benefit as follows:
  Higher job satisfaction
High job efficiency and effectiveness
Increased value and respect of the volunteer administrator position and program within your organization
Improved volunteer administration knowledge and skills which can be immediately applied to existing or new volunteer programs
Higher level of satisfaction by volunteers and co-workers
Expanded organizational partnerships and resources
Broadened leadership skills that can be used within, and external to, the participant's organization
Heightened credibility among the participant's peers and leaders
Keener awareness of ways to identify and respond to volunteer trends and the resulting needs
Opportunity to remain engaged in a statewide network of volunteer administrators
Ability to assume local, state or national leadership roles in volunteer administration
Wise Investment for Organizations Often we embrace the myth that volunteers are free.  This is not true.  Volunteers are unpaid staff members who need a competent professional to lead and manage them.  If you invest wisely in the development of the volunteer administration certification training, then you will reap the benefits by:
Increasing the number of appropriately selected, placed and trained volunteers that will assist in achieving the organization's mission
Improving volunteer satisfaction and their willingness to donate time and resources
Enhancing staff and volunteer productivity, performance and enjoyment
Bringing more resources into organizations that serve consumers better.
Cost Training room, materials, trainers, supplies, copies, food and beverage,
Upfront marketing and negotiation
Best Practices
  1. Get Executive Directors Buy-In
  2. Work with a local partner(s) to host the training
  3. Tap into local expertise to deliver training modules
  4. Market the program widely
  5. Work with Participants to Reduce Test Anxiety
  6. Group Test Grading, Exchange tests among participants to grade
  7. Find a Sponsor for the Entire Program
  8. Make Learning Fun
  9. Create a Portfolio
  10. Continue High Quality Trainings
  11. Have a Graduation and Certificate Presentation
  12. Encourage neighboring volunteer centers to assist each other
 

 

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