Essential Volunteers

There are many essential volunteers in every organization. But there are a few key roles that you may not have thought about – and they would be a great help to you as you grow your organization! These are important, go-to people that, as a manager, you should have on your team. These are roles you might normally have to pay for but, before you do that, consider finding a volunteer to fill them.

1. Mentor – identify someone who inspires you! An Executive Director is in a unique position between the staff and board, you need someone you can bounce ideas off, get advice and generally relate to on a professional level. You need a mentor or coach.

2. Project Manager – planning any large initiative, project or event requires project management. What you are looking for is someone with the skills to keep the project on track – well organized, tactful, available for meetings (or conference calls). This person does not have to be personally involved with the project, just willing and able to keep it on track. The Project Manager sets up and maintains a spreadsheet listing each task, who is responsible and when it is to be completed. This sheet is reviewed, line by line, for a progress check at each meeting.

3. Photographer – you need photos! You may want more than one photographer – a hobbyist to document lesser events and moments and a professional for major events and portraits. The pictures can be used for your annual report, to decorate your offices, to tuck in thank you notes, to email, to post on your website.

Start looking for volunteers to fill these important roles now!

Essential Volunteers is one of many features of The Nonprofit Champion.