1. Volunteer Project Leader Training & pairing Meeting

2. What is the Volunteer Project Leader Program
What is the Volunteer Project Leader Program? The goal of a VPL is to expand the capacity of what nonprofit agencies can do by helping to organize and plan large projects to incorporate groups of volunteers, better use the skill set of volunteers, and meet needs of the nonprofit that might not ordinarily have been met.
Description
Volunteer Project Leaders are recruited and trained to work directly with nonprofit agencies to plan Day of Service volunteer projects. The volunteers work with the organizations to recruit volunteers, solicit supplies and materials, coordinate the day's events, and more. Managed in this way, the efforts of the volunteers and agencies prove to be highly successful in completing valuable projects and involving large numbers of employee volunteers in teambuilding community work. United Way of Larimer County coordinates VPL projects twice a year, for Make a Difference Day in October and for National Volunteer Month in April.
The Need
With Days of Service growing larger and more frequent, and with agencies’ daily workloads continuing to increase, it has become harder for nonprofits to organize one-day service events for large volunteer groups. Large projects often take many planning hours and finding the necessary resources to carry out the project can be challenging. Since 2004, the Volunteer Project Leader (VPL) program has connected individual volunteers with agencies to help organize successful large scale projects. With the help of a VPL, large projects can run more smoothly and the agency is more likely to fulfill their need with the volunteers, supplies and talents available.
The Goals
To build capacity of nonprofits to organize projects, especially for large groups.
Effectively match volunteer skills to the need.
Foster, promote, encourage and recognize volunteerism in our community.
Provide an opportunity for community members to be introduced to agencies and form new relationships.

3. Days of Service
United Way of Larimer County’s Volunteer Center coordinates VPL Projects twice a year, (For Make A Difference Day in October and National Volunteer Month in April)
However, the long-term goal is to mobilize highly-skilled volunteers to lead projects year-round.

4. Key Dates and Checklist 1
Key Dates and Checklist 1. Roles & Responsibilities Agreement Signed – Due 9/8 2. Meet at Project Site & Begin Discussing Project – Prior to 9/22 2. Project Update on eVolunteer & Additional Volunteer Needs – Due 9/29 3. Mini Grant Applications – Due 9/ Recruit Volunteers – September & October 5. Volunteer Reminder – One week before project 6. Make a Difference Week – October Thank Volunteers – Within a few days after project 8. Final Items (Report, photos, binder) – 11/3 9. Celebrate!! VPL Celebration Breakfast – 11/7

5. VPL & Agency Roles and Responsibilities
Assist the nonprofit in brainstorming in-depth projects
Assist in planning the details of the project
Return all paperwork to United Way of Larimer County’s Volunteer Center on time
Assist in recruiting volunteers for the project (coworkers, friends, family, etc) and ensure that volunteers are registered with the Volunteer Center
Assist the nonprofit with the communication between the volunteers and the nonprofit contact
Organize project-related details in order to ensure that the actual day of the event is successful, including back-up date(s) and projects
Be present for the actual project to assist where needed and to manage the volunteers
Take pictures of volunteers (if applicable)
Provide snacks and water (if you wish)
Assist the nonprofit in returning final paperwork to United Way of Larimer County’s Volunteer Center after the project date
Possibly solicit donations/grants on behalf of yourself as a volunteer

6. Getting Started: How to Organize a Volunteer Project
1. Initial Meeting
2. Discuss Project and Determine the Facts
3. Get Ready
4. Day of Project
5. After the Project
Handout:
\\Solicit Volunteer Project
>>Select an agency based on your interest area and skills you can offer to help
>>Connect with an agency you would like to serve to inquire if there is a need
>>Work directly with agency to plan a project
>>Let agencies know who to contact with questions and keep open communication
throughout the entire process
>>Set up a schedule with the agency on when you will be meeting with them and for how long you plan to meet
>>Make planning goals with agency and secure a timeline

7. Top 10 Tips 1. Do your research 2. Plan ahead 3
Top 10 Tips 1. Do your research 2. Plan ahead  3. Set realistic expectations 4. Less is sometimes more 5. Communicate 6. Realize limitations 7. Utilize your skills 8. Expect the unexpected 9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help 10. Be Flexible Any words of wisdom from past VPLs??

8. All the resources at your fingertips. https://uwaylc

9. Planning Resources

10. eVolunteer https://impact. uwaylc. org/Volunteer/VolEventInfo. jsp
eVolunteer United Way of Larimer County wants to be the central Volunteer hub! - Keeping your project updated - Recruiting/signing up your volunteers - Seeing who has signed up - VPL is the Project Contact

11. Log in as Agency
Unless you have changed it, both User Name and Password should be the first letter of your first name + last name. Ex: jsmith

12. Click Opportunities

13. Project Update: Click on your Opportunity Title

14. Project Update: Update Information

15. Project Update: Click Calendar Icon to add Date/Time,
this helps us track the number of hours volunteered!

16. Project Update: Add Date and Time/Shift

17. Tip: Hover over icon to see what they do
Recruit/
Sign-Up Volunteers
Option 1:
Share opportunity link for volunteers to sign-up themselves
This way, they are covered by liability!
Tip: Hover over icon to see what they do

18. How to see who has signed up and contact information. Hover over “Volunteer List.”

19. Recruit/Sign-Up Volunteers
Option 2:
Sign-up your volunteers by Creating a Team –
Go to My Teams, Create Team, follow instructions

20. Recruit/ Sign-Up Volunteers Option 2: 1. Select your team
2. Click VPL event
3. Find your project
4. Click Sign-up

21. Recruit/ Sign-Up Volunteers Fill in Team Members: Click on People Icon
Click on ADD
Will bring you to another screen to enter each individual
Click ADD until team is full

22. eVolunteer questions?
Again, we are always willing to help you! Feel free to reach out to me at or

23. Key Dates and Checklist. 1
Key Dates and Checklist Roles & Responsibilities Agreement Signed – Due 9/8 2. Meet at Project Site & Begin Discussing Project – Prior to 9/ Project Update & Additional Volunteer Needs – Due 9/ Mini Grant Applications – Due 9/ Recruit Volunteers – September & October 6. Volunteer Reminder – One week before project 7. Make a Difference Week – October Thank Volunteers – Within a few days after project 9. Final Items (Report, photos, binder) – 11/ Celebrate!! VPL Celebration Breakfast – 11/7

24. Questions? Thank you & happy planning!!