NATIONAL SPONSORS Satellite Partner Training Volunteer Management

Agenda Recruitment: Building a sustainable program for maximum outreach Cooking Matters Gold Standards: Resources for Volunteers Training: Preparation & hosting Retention: Keeping volunteers fulfilled and effective Recognition: Impacting their experience Volunteer Resources

Volunteer Recruiting

Volunteer Recruitment Do I know what qualifications I am looking for? Do I know how to train the volunteer? Do I have a firm description of the goals and objectives of the work to be done? Will the work be meaningful? Will the volunteer be busy for their whole scheduled shift? Will the volunteer feel ownership and responsibility for the task at hand? Is a comfortable workspace available? What is the time commitment required?

Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Building Blocks for a Successful Recruitment Strategy: Volunteer Roles Chef instructors Nutrition instructors Class assistants Shoppers Interpreters

Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Volunteer Descriptions Building Blocks for a Successful Recruitment Strategy: Job Descriptions Sample job descriptions and applications can be provided

Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Volunteer Descriptions Sharing the Cooking Matters model Building Blocks for a Successful Recruitment Strategy: Sharing the Model Explain Cooking Matters’ unique program model, distinctive volunteer needs and program impact.

Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Volunteer Expectations Volunteer Descriptions Building Blocks for a Successful Recruitment Strategy: Volunteer Expectations Sharing the Cooking Matters model Motivational Expectations: Opportunity to make a difference, support Cooking Matters mission, feeling connection with community Other Volunteer Expectations: Organized Cooking Matters staff, provide appropriate tools/equipment/resources, offer a safe workspace, good use of their time/skills

Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Volunteer Expectations Volunteer Descriptions Resources Building Blocks for a Successful Recruitment Strategy: Resources What resources are available for recruitment? What partnerships exist to facilitate with outreach? Are there outreach tools available? Resources Sharing the Cooking Matters model

Volunteer Expectations Partner Capacity Resources Building Blocks for a Successful Recruitment Strategy: Partner Capacity Volunteer Expectations Who leads and is involved in recruitment? How can your parent organization support recruitment? What external partnerships exist to facilitate outreach? What are current competing demands for time/resources affecting volunteer recruitment? Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Volunteer Descriptions Resources Sharing the Cooking Matters model

Volunteer Management Experience Partner Capacity Volunteer Expectations Cooking Matters Volunteer Roles Volunteer Descriptions Resources Sharing the Cooking Matters model

Incentivize the ASK Develop incentives for your current volunteers to help your organization recruit new volunteers Offer things like a VIP parking spot, a highlight in your newsletter, special seating at fundraiser, lunch with the Executive Director Group ASK Present opportunities in the community, like at religious services, alumni events, chamber of commerce, rotary meetings and school functions. Marketing ASK Traditional and social media marketing materials Key Considerations: diverse pictures, accessible and appropriate language for the audience, appropriate placement in media Volunteer Recruitment: Making the Ask

For culinary instructors, think outside the restaurant box! Share our Strength events College Dining Services Deli workers Private Chef’s Caterers Hotel chefs Slow Food Community Gardens Chefs Move to Schools

Finding Nutrition Instructors Fitness Centers Gym staff Weight Watchers Diet/Health Centers Health Food Stores School Nurses Cafeteria Staff Hospitals Faith based Rotary Clubs 4-H Clubs Work study students

Volunteer Recruitment: Broad Outreach Volunteer Match Idealist Volunteer Volunteer Solutions Senior Corps Craig’s List

Initial Screening Sifting for the Right Fit Ask good questions: o How did you hear about CM? o What is your interest in our program? o How would you like to volunteer for our program? o What is your culinary/ nutrition/food background?

Initial Screening Follow Up Encourage potential volunteers to review websites and learn more about the expectations o Share Our Strength o Cooking Matters o Inter-Faith Food Shuttle o Your organization o

Initial Screening Saying No Not every volunteer is the right fit and not every volunteer knows where they fit best o Will they be able to able to engage participants? o Would they be better in a different role? o Do they need extra time to build up experience? o Would they be a benefit to helping the organization rather than being a course volunteer?

Training and Orientation

Initial Volunteer Training Monthly group vs. individual Combined orientation and training Class Zero

Ongoing Volunteer training is correlated to gold standard programming! Ongoing Volunteer Training Creates a shared understanding of our work by familiarizing volunteers with the mission, vision, rules and best practices related to our work; refreshing and enhancing knowledge; and keeping them updated on changes, enhancements and new opportunities. Helps volunteers feel prepared by increasing confidence and morale- higher morale leads to a greater willingness to contribute to the success of the program.

Gold Standards for Volunteers

Implementing Gold Standards with Volunteers Partners are responsible for preparing volunteers to: 1.Interact with Participants 2.Demonstrate Subject Expertise and Classroom Leadership 3.Deliver Course Content 4.Use Appropriate Delivery Methods

Implementing Gold Standards with Volunteers 1.Interacting with Participants Welcoming environment Demonstrate respect and cultural sensitivity Manage inappropriate classroom behaviors.

Implementing Gold Standards with Volunteers 2.Demonstrate Subject Expertise and Classroom Leadership Knowledge of subject Prepared and organized Class on schedule

Implementing Gold Standards with Volunteers 3.Delivering Course Content Present, practice, and encourage use of information and skills regarding: ―Healthy Eating ―Food Resource Management ―Cooking and Meal Preparation ―Food and Kitchen Safety Discuss course materials with participants Distribute appropriate materials to participants

Implementing Gold Standards with Volunteers 4.Using Appropriate Delivery Methods Have participants cook and eat together Ask participants open-ended questions to encourage discussion. “Team-teach”, or work collaboratively with your co-instructor to guide discussion. Build on content from the previous weeks.

Volunteer Retention

WHY do volunteers stay with organizations? Four management practices that have a positive effect on volunteer retention: 1.Recognition activities 2.Training and professional development opportunities 3.Using screening procedures to identify suitable volunteers 4.Matching volunteers with appropriate tasks Source: Volunteer Management Practices and Retention of Volunteers, Mark A. Hager, Jeffrey L. Brudney, Urban Institute, June 2004

WHY do volunteers stay with Cooking Matters? Key retention factors 1.Clear communications/expectations 2.Appropriate and engaging training 3.Chance to cultivate new skills 4.Opportunities to connect with like-minded volunteers 5.Opportunities to connect with clients 6.Recognition & reward

HOW do we know why volunteers stay with Cooking Matters? End-of-Course Survey for Volunteers ―Anonymous ―Gauges volunteer and host site staff satisfaction ―Provides knowledge that can aid recruiting/retention ―Reinforces that we care about their feedback and want to improve their experience Let volunteers know that the end of course survey will be automatically sent via a few weeks after the course ends The survey is designed for the course team which includes: ALL volunteers, no matter their role, and host site staff

Volunteer Recognition

Why does Share Our Strength recognize volunteers? Connect new volunteers to Share Our Strength’s role in ending childhood hunger. Appreciate volunteers who have taught milestone course series. Encourage volunteers to continue teaching Cooking Matters courses in their communities. Establish and maintain a connection with volunteers at the national level.

How does Share Our Strength recognize volunteers? Volunteer Milestone Gifts 1 st course: Re-useable grocery bag (Distributed at local level) 3 rd course: Cooking Matters water bottle 5 th course: Insulated bag 10 th course: Signed copy of ‘The Light of Conscience’ 15 th course: Induction for course instructors into the Cooking Matters Hall of Fame, paid travel to and registration for Conference of Leaders

How can you recognize your volunteers on the local level? Acknowledge each course with a handwritten thank you note Acknowledge volunteers in your organization's newsletter or on social media Share quotes from the participant surveys with volunteers so they know they’ve made an impact Highlight participants positive feedback about the class results to your volunteers so they can see the impact of their contribution. Personal thank you phone call from someone higher up in your organization to the volunteer Provide a letter of recognition to the volunteer’s place of employment or professional organization Create and provide a certificate of appreciation

Next Up… Course Coordination: Before Class Starts Satellite Partner Blog Satellite Partner Timeline Host Site Selection Volunteer Training Course Materials Preparation