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Book Blog | Visit the Energize Book Blog to get the latest info on volunteer management resources.
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Delegation
is one of the volunteer manager's most important skills. While designating
staff and volunteers to assist us with our own work, we must also help our
co-workers learn how to delegate tasks to volunteers effectively. The resources
below will help you and your colleagues become delegation experts!
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Featured Resources
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Delegating to Volunteers: Training Module 7 in The 55-Minute Training Series The
"Delegating to Volunteers" Training Module addresses common myths
about delegation and teaches staff who supervise volunteers how to delegate
responsibly and proactively. Included in the module are learning objectives, suggested script and expandable
activities, key concepts and notes to trainer, Microsoft� PowerPoint� slides,
handout masters, a bibliography, a workshop evaluation form and more.
The (Help!) I-Don't-Have-Enough-Time Guide to Volunteer Management
This
book shows you, step-by-step, how to form a volunteer management team to which
you can delegate some of the many duties of running a volunteer program. Learn
how to get everyone in the agency to do their share in supporting volunteer
efforts and enable volunteers to take ownership of the program and help run it.
Volunteer Management: Mobilizing All the Resources of the Community, 2nd Edition
A
thorough examination of every facet of a successful volunteer program, this
book includes a chapter entitled "Supervising for Maximum Performance," which
discusses how to achieve planned results with the help of volunteers and
others. The specific term delegating is addressed briefly, but the entire
chapter offers advice on managing and leading others to accomplish assigned responsibilities
successfully.
Other Resources For
more articles and ideas about delegating, especially related to volunteer management,
visit our free Resource Library. Free,
general information about developing delegation skills: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_98.htm
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Book Excerpt
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Nine Cardinal Rules of
Delegation
"Key Concept 3" excerpted from Training Busy Staff to Succeed with Volunteers: The 55-Minute Training Series, Module 7: Delegating to Volunteers by
Betty Stallings.
Understanding and
practicing the cardinal rules of effective delegation enhance your chance of
success.
1. You must assess
work requirements with the corresponding abilities and time availability of a
volunteer. In other words, do you
have the right person for the assignment, not simply someone who has agreed to
do it? Does he/she have the time and is
he/she willing to give the time needed to get the job done?
2. Give the assignment in terms of results. Don't just list
activities for volunteers to do; share with them what will be accomplished as a
result of their work.
3. Define the level
of control. Indicate
how much authority the volunteer has to make decisions without "checking
in."
4. Communicate any
guidelines and assess the volunteer's understanding of them. Volunteers should be
forewarned about any constraints that must shape their decisions or activities
(e.g., confidentiality).
5. Make resources and training available. It is important that
volunteers have the assistance and resources needed to successfully accomplish
their tasks. Ask volunteers what you can
do to help assure their success.
6. Determine criteria
for success. It
is important that the supervisor and the volunteer reach an agreement on how
results will be measured (e.g., results of a recruitment outreach: recruit and
train six new counselors for our program by June 1).
7. Set up checkpoints. To
be certain that the work is progressing, times should be established to check
in on progress or on any need for change or additional support.
8. Provide feedback
and recognition along the way and at the completion of a project. People appreciate
knowing they are on track and are being noticed for good progress or, if
needed, given additional resources to be successful.
9. Watch out for
REVERSE DELEGATION...
...when
you delegate a task to a volunteer and the volunteer brings problems back to
you to solve! If this occurs, you need to help the volunteer solve the problem,
but be sure to let him or her keep the responsibility and do the task.
________
Permission is
granted for organizations to reprint this excerpt. Reprints must provide full
acknowledgment of the source, as cited here:
Excerpted
from Training Busy Staff to Succeed with Volunteers: The 55-Minute Training Series, Module 7: Delegating to Volunteers by Betty Stallings. � 2007. Found in the Energize, Inc.
Online Bookstore at http://www.energizeinc.com/store/4-227-E-1
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Energize, Inc. 5450 Wissahickon Ave., C-13 Philadelphia, PA 19144 [email protected] www.energizeinc.com
Energize empowers and inspires leaders of volunteers worldwide. Our specialty is creating and selecting the most relevant, innovative resources in volunteer management. We're advocates for the power of volunteers and for the recognition of the leaders who unleash it. About Us |
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