Volunteers! Volunteer Issues Committee of Literacy Action Network Summer Institute August 15, 2013 What‘s the big deal?

Our Partners in Adult Education Volunteers:

During the program year, more than 3,400 volunteers contributed their time at over 65 adult literacy programs in Minnesota.

Volunteers helped more than 26,000 learners work toward their educational goals from 2012 to 2013.

Focus group research conducted in Minnesota by the Volunteer Issues Committee showed that: Academic Impact of Volunteers

Volunteers’ extra help and skills result in an increase in learner level gains and retention of learners.

Volunteers provide support for staff, including clerical help and feedback to teachers about student progress.

Community Impact of Volunteers Focus group research conducted in Minnesota by the Volunteer Issues Committee showed that:

Through their contact with volunteers, learners gain  real-world connections  access to community resources  networking,  a “feeling of community connectedness,”  exposure to diverse backgrounds, ages and perspectives.

Volunteers help programs financially by saving ABE program dollars and providing greater visibility in the community, which leads to increased credibility of ABE programs.

Personal Impact of Volunteers Focus group research conducted in Minnesota by the Volunteer Issues Committee showed that:

Friendships and trusts are built among learners, volunteers and staff.

Volunteers have a positive effect on learners’ self-esteem and bring enthusiasm to ABE programs.

Volunteers gain teaching experience and expand their skills.

Programmatic Impact of Volunteers

In a comparison with other states, Minnesota rates higher in learning outcomes and the number of learners served.

Minnesota MassachusettsOregon Total Participants Served 46,009 20,31420,851 State and Federal Funds $48.6 M $36.4 M$35.1 M Per participant spending $1,056 $1,792$1,683 Learners who improved a level or are still enrolled 27,000 16,0009,500 Comparison data provided by Todd Wagner at the Department of Education as part of his presentation at the 2012 Volunteer Management Conference.

What accounts for the difference?

In addition to the skills, professionalism and creativity of ABE staff…

…one of the contributing factors to the success of ABE in Minnesota may be our ability to effectively partner with volunteers to meet the needs of adult learners.

Engaging Volunteers

The time we put into managing and involving volunteers is an investment in our learners – any time we invest will pay back big returns.

New to using volunteers?

Learn about best practices in volunteer management at mnliteracy.org/volunteermanage menttools

Talk with the volunteer coordinator at your program about involving a volunteer in your class.

Don’t have a volunteer coordinator? Contact the Volunteer Issues Committee chairs: Allison Tammi