Leading a Volunteer Workday

1. Leading a Volunteer Workday Cluster name Date

2. The Stewardship Network was established in 1998 to build the capacity of organizations, individuals, and businesses to preserve, restore, and manage natural lands and waters. The Network collaborates with nonprofits large and small, governmental agencies and units, private business, and dedicated individuals to achieve that goal.

3. Partnerships

4. Information about the sponsoring cluster can go here! Get involved! Learn more and join Stewardship Network at www.stewardshipnetwork.org

5. Overview • Why This Matters—volunteers as a resource • Before the Workday—plan and get organized! • Leading the Workday—stewardship on the ground • After the Workday—follow up and thank you’s • Resources

6. Why This Matters: volunteers as a resource • Their time should be used wisely – they expect this • Volunteers are not “free” – some investment needed for good use • A good workday keeps them coming back

7. Why This Matters: volunteers as a resource Volunteer workdays have two kinds of benefits • Extra help on ecosystem stewardship • Community outreach!

8. Why This Matters: volunteers as a resource What do volunteers want out of their time* • Feeling that they make worthwhile contribution to improving environment • Change of pace (from office work, eg) • Chance to get outdoors, be active (see above) • Chance to learn about nature All of these enhanced by well run workday! *based on studies by Robert Grese, UM

9. Discussion: What could go wrong? • Bad experiences as a volunteer? • Problems as a workday leader?

10. Before the Workday: plan the goals • Choose a work site • Visit the work site • Do Your Homework! Read up on invasive plants or restoration techniques • Review the site management plan

11. Before the Workday: plan for volunteers • Recruit Volunteers through the Stewardship Network, student groups, or free media • Establish a contact and meeting protocols for your volunteers—how accessible is your site?

12. Before the Workday—plan for volunteers • Have a cancellation plan • Plan for the size of your group and their abilities • Have a back-up plan in case the group is bigger or smaller!

13. Sign in sheets/waivers Nametags Safety guide Fact sheets/brochures Before/After photos Maps Sunscreen & bug repellant Snacks? Tools First aid kit Water cooler Gloves/safety Equipment Cell phone Camera Before the Workday: get stuff togetherMaterials Equipment

14. The Snacks Controversy Some organizations regard providing snacks as a must-do. Some ask volunteers to bring their own (or not). You decide what works for your situation!

15. Leading the Workday—getting started • Arrive early and prepare your materials • Sign in / release form with emergency contact

16. Leading the Workday—getting started • Introductions (and nametags?) • If new volunteers are mixed with “regulars”, make sure new comers feel welcome!

17. Leading the Workday—getting started Explain goals and logistics • Workday objectives • Workday methods • Tool use and safety • Worksite hazards • Restrooms and water/snacks • Will there be a set break time? When is stop-and-clean-up time?

18. Workday Safety and Potential Hazards • Sunburns, insect bites and stings • Dehydration/over-exertion • Hypothermia • Uneven footing (stumps, etc.) • Sharp tools –working distance • Branches and thorns • Poisonous plants (ivy/sumac) • Massasauga rattlesnakes • Herbicide

19. Mitigating Potential Hazards • Describe hazards and point out known locations • Teach how to work safely • Have fresh water available • Have first aid kit available, and tell all volunteers where it is

20. Mitigating Potential Hazards • Have a plan (where is the nearest emergency room?) • Be ready to communicate • To park staff (radio) • To emergency personnel • To volunteer’s emergency contact

21. Leading the workday—workday in progress • Monitor for safe work behavior • Monitor for correct work, reinstruct if needed • Answer questions; ask questions to get to know volunteers

22. Leading the workday—workday in progress • Take photos • Take breaks (formal or informal) • Use break time to reconnect with volunteers

23. Leading the workday—wrapping things up • Gather people and tools and return to the meeting area • Make sure everyone signed in • Thank you!! • Announce next workday • Acknowledge progress • Take more photos!

24. After the workday—records and thank you’s • Return and clean tools and equipment • Measure herbicide used, bags collected, etc. • Fill out reports and file photos • Record volunteer data • Communicate with necessary staff • Send out thank you notes to volunteers

25. Review • Think creatively about how you can make use of volunteers in your stewardship efforts • Be prepared for your volunteers and their abilities, be willing to change plans if needed • Follow up your workdays with reporting and recognition • Reach out to the Stewardship Network for support in managing your volunteers.

26. Additional Resources Leading workdays: www.usaservice.org/page/content/eventguide event planning and set-up, event details and logistics, volunteer recruitment, day-of-event ideas

27. Additional Resources Recruiting volunteers: • Local school service organizations • Your local Stewardship Network Cluster • Free calendar listings with local media • Consider sending a press release • Contacts from previous workdays • Your website • Flyers in nearby libraries, stores, gov’t offices, etc.. • More ideas at: www.new.org

28. Resources Dealing with Difficult Volunteers: • Your best defense against a difficult volunteer is a good work plan and a good job description! • What We Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers: An Action Guide to Making Your Job Easier, byJarene Frances Lee with Julia M. Catagnus • All kinds of good info about managing volunteers at Casanet.org/program-management/volunteer-manage/

29. Discussion (burning questions?)

30. …and to workshop co-sponsors! Thank you! to our presenters… • Name • Name • Organization • Organization

31. This presentation was made possible by Content and suggestions from the following people • Jason Frenzel, Ann Arbor Nat Areas Prog • Laurel Malvitz-Draper, Mich DNRE And funding by the Sustain Our Great Lakes Initiative Thanks!