How to plan the involvement of online volunteers

Clearly define tasks

An important step is to gain clarity on how online volunteers can support your organization. Make sure to break down your needs into well-defined tasks. An assignment focusing on one distinct task will increase your chances of finding qualified online volunteers.

Start small

Start with just one or two short-term, simple assignments to get used to working with online volunteers. When you feel comfortable with the process of managing online volunteers, you can expand to more, longer-term and complex assignments.

Prepare to start immediately

Online volunteers apply at a time when their personal and work schedule allows for their volunteering activities. They are usually ready to start their collaboration with your organization immediately.

Set up a schedule

A rough schedule outlined in the opportunity description will help interested online volunteers decide whether they can commit to the task.

Ensure sustainability

To enable your organization to continue benefiting from your online volunteers’ knowledge well into future, consider each assignment as a learning opportunity. Ask volunteers to document the methods they use and the actions they undertake to complete an assignment and ask them to teach you how to do it yourself.