Programs that provide opportunities for students and/or school-age children and youth to make a contribution to their local community through volunteer service projects or other forms of assistance. The purpose of the program is to develop leadership skills and good citizenship practices in youngsters who are interested in service to others.
Community organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills and experience who are willing to offer their services and work on a full or part-time basis without remuneration on projects or in positions that benefit the organization itself or the people it serves. Many agencies that provide volunteer opportunities also offer intensive training in the tasks that are required for the job.
Organizations whose members are volunteer centres or individuals working in the field of volunteer resources management who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in professional conferences, subscribing to journals and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. Some volunteer management associations develop standards for the field, offer credentialing programs, develop and disseminate publications, support research, share statistics, provide opportunities for networking, maintain a job bank and offer other resources that advance volunteering in communities, strengthen the profession and help members become more effective in their roles and relationships.
Programs that help nonprofit organizations or other groups plan, implement, manage and/or evaluate the use of volunteer personnel in their programs. Included are assistance in assessing organizational readiness for a volunteer program, marshalling staff support, identifying and/or developing appropriate roles or positions for the effective use of volunteers, devising strategies for the recruitment and selection of volunteer personnel, planning and implementing training and supervision for volunteer staff and putting into place a meaningful volunteer recognition program.
The above terms and definitions are part of the Taxonomy of Human Services, used here by permission of INFO LINE of Los Angeles.