The Rochester Grand Mound Volunteer Center will connect individuals, non-profits and businesses with opportunities and resources needed to ssupport local community activities. (Horizons, Rochester Library, ROOF, Boys & Girls Club, Grand Mound Rochester Citizens Group, STUFF Food Bank, Grand Mound Rochester Park Association, Rochester School District, Rochester high School Boosters, Rochester Middle School Boosters, FAST, etc.)
The key to this appears on the surface to be the volunteers, but in reality, it is the
work
of skilled volunteer coordinators that makes a volunteer center successful. These volunteer coordinators, as their title implies, help volunteers work together so that projects are finished. Their job
description reflects this task focus.
A sample job description for a volunteer coordinator shows that volunteer coordinators primarily are responsible for developing volunteer opportunities. They research local agencies, organizations, clubs, etc. to establish the types of volunteer opportunities available. They put together job descriptions for all of the volunteer positions available, as well as any training material that may be necessary for those positions.
The coordinator will maintain lists of both the volunteer opportunities and the volunteers who are available. They may record volunteer hours so that the volunteers can use their activities on resumes, fulfilling community service requirements or applying at institutions like universities and for the purpose of providing data when applying for grants to support “in kind donations.”
Volunteer coordinators should have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. They also should be computer literate and detail oriented. The ability to organize large amounts of data, materials and volunteer skills is essential.
Volunteer coordinators need to work in multiple environments. At times, they may work in an office. At other times, they may have to travel to make sure that their plans are carried out and to support their volunteers. They may work outside in some cases, such as fundraising events or recruiting.
The Rochester Grand Mound Volunteer Center will be governed by a voluntary board of directors representing a group of professionals in the fields of business, education and civic service.
Bill Liddle
bill@rochester-wa.com
July 20, 2012
New 07/20/2012