Why learn online?

The Online Training Project is based on theories of Web-based training. For-profit and educational institutions have been exploring and developing this area of the Web for many years. At SPES, we believe that the innovative integration of new technologies into our work can have dramatic effects on our ability to achieve our mission of connecting people with nature, especially our volunteers!

These tutorials were created not to replace face-to-face training (that will always be important) but to act as a supplement to existing training. We hope that these tutorials will help you get adjusted to being a SPES Volunteer and assist you in refining your skills and increasing the knowledge base applicable to your volunteer position. Best of all, you can work on these tutorials at your own pace and when it is convenient for you.

Go to it and have fun!

New Volunteer Tutorial: Getting Acquainted

New volunteers often feel overwhelmed by the many programs, staff and initiatives being offered by the organization(s) they have begun to volunteer with. It is very important for you to know some basic things about the organization where you've decided to volunteer. Being informed makes you a better representative of the organization, a better spokesperson for volunteerism and more aware of the many wonderful things your organization does.

Each organization is different; some organizations have a large volunteer program with dedicated staff members, and in other organizations each staff member is responsible for involving volunteers on an individual basis. In addition to learning about the organization, you should also understand how the organization feels about volunteer involvement.

This tutorial can be useful for anyone who is considering volunteering. It can act as a starting point for learning about an organization you are interested in. It can also act as an orientation aid to anyone who has just started volunteering with a non-profit organization.

Hopefully, your orientation will have provided you with some background information on the organization and the volunteer program. This information could be in the form of manuals, workshops, a Website or books. As you proceed through this tutorial, please use all of the resources available to you. Don't forget to use human resources, like your Volunteer Coordinator or Staff Supervisor, or even a fellow volunteer!

SPES Volunteers: Please send the answers to these questions via e-mail to vols@stanleyparkecology.ca.

  1. Organizational History
    1. When was your organization founded?
    2. Why was it founded? To serve what purpose?
    3. What is your organization's mission statement and/or vision statement? Has this changed over the years?
    4. How has the organization grown and changed since it was first founded?
  2. Organizational Structure
    1. How many programs does your organization offer? Are they organized into program areas (e.g. school programs, member and public programs, stewardship programs)?
    2. Name the programs and give a brief description of each including when and how often it occurs, the age range and cost.
    3. Who are the main clients of your organization? For example, elementary students, adults, families, injured wildlife, etc.
    4. How many members are there in your organization? What is the cost of membership? What benefits do members receive?
    5. Who is the staff "head honcho" at your organization? Who does this person report to, if anyone?
    6. Is your volunteer position supervised by a staff member or another volunteer? If yes, who does your supervisor report to?
    7. Does your organization have a Website? If yes, what is the address?
    8. Does your organization have a newsletter? If yes, what is it called, how often is it published and what kind of content can you find in it?
    9. Does your organization have a volunteer newsletter or e-newsletter, or something similar, which enables the staff to communicate with all volunteers on a regular basis?
  3. Volunteer Program
    1. What is your organization's philosophy for volunteer involvement?
    2. Approximately how many volunteers are involved in your organization?
    3. Other than your position, what kinds of other volunteer jobs are available?
    4. What do interested individuals have to do to become a volunteer with your organization?
    5. Does your organization have a volunteer fee or membership fee?
    6. Are volunteers at your organization required to wear a uniform?
    7. What are the benefits of being a volunteer at your organization?
    8. Are you aware of your organization's Volunteer Program policies?
    9. What procedures would you follow if you had a grievance with another volunteer or staff member?
    10. How are volunteers recognized at your organization?
    11. Do volunteers attend regular meetings?

New Volunteer Tutorial: Setting Goals

Starting a new volunteer job can be a very nerve-wracking experience, no matter how much experience or confidence you have. One of the best ways to prepare yourself, and help your staff supervisors prepare you, for the job ahead is to identify your goals and fears.

Goals

Why did you want to do this volunteer job? Your goals should be things that you would like to accomplish or learn from your volunteer job. For example, you might want to improve your public speaking skills, learn about waterfowl, gain experience working with children, or fulfill some mandatory service hours. Your goals can be intensely personal or very broad. Identifying your goals will help you to get the best experience out of your volunteer job. When your staff supervisors are aware of your goals, they can also tailor their efforts to make sure that you are achieving them. You and your supervisor might revisit your goals at evaluation sessions so that you have a chance to discuss whether or not the volunteer position is giving you opportunities to meet your goals.

It is also important to remember that your goals will change as you grow as a volunteer. As you become more experienced and develop your skills, you will want to learn more and keep improving your abilities. Hopefully, you will have accomplished some of the things you listed and will need to add more challenging goals to your list. Remember that no one is perfect - there are always things we can improve!

Fears

It is natural for you to be nervous about starting a new volunteer job. You may find yourself in unfamiliar territory, doing unfamiliar tasks, or working with new groups or individuals. Never forget that everyone else is in the same boat; the may just have different worries. By acknowledging your fears, you will be able to face them, work on them and leave them behind. For example, someone who has worked with children on an individual basis might worry about managing a group of up to 15 children. Another person might worry about not being able to answer questions from the public. Someone else might worry about running over the allotted time for a school program. Your fears can be minor or major. The best thing about identifying them is being able to cross them off your list once you've been volunteering for a while. If your supervisor knows what your fears are, he/she can make sure that you get the proper training and support to address those worrisome areas.

Print and fill out the Goals and Fears Chart. Record your goals and fears as well as the date. Keep a record of this sheet so that you can track your progress and use it as a self-evaluation tool. If you have been instructed to send it to your supervisor, please send it as an attachment with your supervisor's name in the subject line. If you have not been instructed to e-mail it to SPES, you can print it out and keep it in your volunteer binder for follow-up and revision.

Do you have an idea for a tutorial or feedback on any of the above tutorials? If so, contact: