1. Self Directed Volunteer Team Training Series
PowerUP!
Self Directed Volunteer Team Training Series
Carrie Porter
Greater WI Agency on
Aging Resources, Inc.
Welcome to the introductory session on the transformative model of volunteering to address the changing needs of new volunteers. These sessions today are part of the program sustainability is to gain interest from new programs not familiar with this model to be engaged in future training. First training held in May 2014 and another one in spring of this year, 2016
Brought to you by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Greater WI Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. with financial assistance, in whole or in part, through a grant from the federal Administration for Community Living

2. PowerUP! Self-Directed Volunteer Teams
A volunteer development model, system , and process designed to be powerfully transformative and take performance to A new level.
Developed for the National Area Agency on Aging Association (n4a) from the Self Directed Volunteer Network model

3. What is a Self-directed Team?
“Self-directed teams are intended to conduct their own goal setting, decision making, plan strategy and implementation, monitoring of task and group process effectiveness, conflict management, negotiation of resources, and reward/recognition process.” Manz & Sims, (1987); Spreitzer, Cohen & Ledford, (1999)
Definition:
Intentionally formed, outcome focused, and multi-skilled group of volunteers who share responsibilities for addressing a challenge or opportunity (such as outreach).
Way to engage experienced and retired professionals in high level projects and decision making.

4. Debbie Paavola Director, Waushara County Dept. on Aging
Karen Wenninger and Edie Felts-Podoll are part of the self-directed volunteer team to research memory care café concepts and learn what is needed to host memory care cafés as part of the Waushara County Department of Aging Caregiver Support Program.

5. Self Directed Teams: WISCONSIN
Create Memory Care Cafés (Waushara Co. Dept of Aging)
Develop team of Senior Ambassadors (United Way RSVP of Marathon Co.)
Focus on volunteer drivers; recruit, retain and recognize (Lutheran Social Services)
Create an advocacy network for seniors (ADRC of Brown Co., GWAAR)
Transition staff-driven craft shop to volunteer-led activity (ADRC of Portage Co.)
Engage volunteer teams in fund raising efforts (Madison Senior Center)
Improved quality, productivity and service.
GWAAR Experience

6. Rationale for Self-Directed Teams
Demographic trends indicate the largest, healthiest, and best- educated generation of older Americans in history
Adults 60+ are a huge resource of time, energy and talent with the potential to address agency and community issues
Creates new meaningful roles for volunteers that capture their attention and encourage their involvement
Organizations change their way to engaged older adults and solve important community problems
Becomes a strategy for building organizational capacity and leadership
Boomer retention is highest (74.8%) for those who perform more challenging tasks.
33% of Boomers leave service within first 12 months due to disinterest or dissatisfaction.
41% of experienced Americans (representing 45 million people) are likely to increase the amount of time they spend volunteering.
More engaged, more stay
Want to have a social impact and measure their results – but also has impact on organization
Builds capacity and connectedness
Christine will go through the elements of SDVT or PowerUP! which is gone through more in depth at the in-person trainings.

7. Benefits of Self-Directed Teams
Social connection for volunteers
Shared responsibility/leadership facilitates volunteer participation
Increased organizational capacity and outreach
Provides leadership development
Minimizes staff support
Gives great value to agency
Estimated to be 30% to 50% more productive*;
ROI is $9 for every $1** *Ron Williams, Quality Digest** Nat’l Council on Aging, MSS Project
Older adults have worked in teams during their employment.
JOKE: 2 things retired people are stated to miss from their past work experiences:
Working with others in teams AND
Complaining about the BOSS

8. Move Volunteers to Higher Levels of Empowerment
Directive
Consultative
Participative
Shared Leadership
Volunteer does as is told
Volunteer is asked for input then told what to do
Volunteer suggests action, gets approval, proceeds
Volunteer decides action, does it, reports progress and results
Adapted from Facilitating to Lead!, Ingrid Bens, 2006. 8

9. Training Series Expectations
Register by Jan. 24 to secure your spot
Participate in all training events.
Webinar #1 – February 16, 10am
Webinar #2 – March 23, 10am
In-person training – April 27 (tentative – location TBD)
Complete all homework in between events.
Engage agency staff and volunteer leaders in the self-directed volunteer team model.
Recruit 1-2 older adult volunteer leaders to attend the second webinar (if possible) and the in-person event.
This is not your ordinary volunteer training about recruitment or volunteer templates. The ultimate goal is for you to end this training with a volunteer leader, a team and a project that they will take ownership of. You are expected to attend all training events, complete homework so you are on pace for the in-person session and you will need to recruit 1-2 volunteer leaders who will be expected to participate in the second webinar and attend the in-person training with one of your staff members.