There are four items required to become a volunteer coordinator: criminal records check, related training, volunteering experience, and leadership skills. A volunteer coordinator is someone who is responsible for recruiting, training, and organizing a group of volunteers on behalf of a larger organization. This position is often paid, though most people do this type of work out of a desire to improve the community, rather than as a career. The pay is minimal when compared to the number of hours required in this position.
The most important skill necessary to become a volunteer coordinator is communication. The ability to provide instructions and guidance to a wide range of people is essential. In a volunteer organization, people are giving their free time to support a cause they believe in. Through effective communication, the coordinator can rally the team of volunteers to complete a wide range of necessary tasks quickly and efficiently. Keeping the mood upbeat and the activities enjoyable will keep volunteers returning, which is essential to the long-term success of the charity or cause.
All charitable and educational institutions will require a criminal background check for anyone who wants to become a volunteer coordinator. The organization has a legal obligation to ensure that it is not providing an opportunity for criminals to gain access to people in need of help or support. It is important to note that this type of check is designed to identify people who have been convicted of a criminal offense.
Training that will be helpful if you want to become a volunteer coordinator includes making presentations, business plan development, conflict resolution, and project planning. Many people interested in this role have completed a degree or diploma from an accredited school. The ability to take a concept and lead a team of volunteers to successful completion of the project is central to this role.
Volunteering experience is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to become a volunteer coordinator. It is often through these experiences that we learn the traits of successful and unsuccessful coordinators or leaders. Volunteering experience provides the background necessary to relate to the challenges of the individual volunteers, and can be very helpful.
Leadership skills includes conflict resolution, team building, identifying bottlenecks, and creating solutions to problems. Many people use volunteering as a way to build these skills, and often learn about their own strengths and weaknesses through this process. The skills and knowledge gained here can then be applied in other aspects of your life.