--- title: "Daily Buzz: What to Consider When Your Volunteer Program Needs a Boost" id: "50016" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-what-to-consider-when-your-volunteer-program-needs-a-boost" published_at: "2020-04-23T21:33:19+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T03:23:17+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/04/23/daily-buzz-what-to-consider-when-your-volunteer-program-needs-a-boost/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/04/23/daily-buzz-what-to-consider-when-your-volunteer-program-needs-a-boost.md" excerpt: "Ask yourself how you’re using volunteers and whether they have the right resources. Also: Keys to a successful video job interview." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Membership" - "trade programs" - "volunteers" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: What to Consider When Your Volunteer Program Needs a Boost Looking to improve your association’s volunteer program? Whether your program is brand-new or well-established, self-evaluation is the key to success, says [Your Membership’s Tirrah Switzer (opens in a new tab)](https://www.yourmembership.com/blog/evaluate-your-volunteer-program/) . “Of course, gathering feedback through a volunteer survey will give you insights into what your volunteers want. But it’s also important to take time to ask yourself questions and reflect on your volunteer program,” she says. For example, make sure descriptions of volunteer opportunities are clear so that you attract the right people for each position. In addition, see if you can offer them multiple levels of commitment. “Volunteers should be able to choose not only the specific type of opportunity that matches their skill sets, but also the time commitment required. Giving them multiple options to choose from helps ensure they can choose the opportunities that align with their time and expertise,” Switzer says. Take time to evaluate whether volunteers are getting the proper orientation and training. Does your association offer volunteer onboarding? Volunteers may not be able to fulfill their duties without the right information and a rundown of their responsibilities. “The more they understand about how your organization and volunteer program work, the more volunteers will be able to contribute,” Switzer says. It’s also important to make volunteers feel appreciated. “All volunteers should be acknowledged: from members of committees and project teams to task forces and working groups to advisory boards, judges, reviewers, and organizers,” Switzer says. ### Nailing the Video Interview > As with in-person interviews, the key to video interviews is to be confident and show them your true self. [https://t.co/dHEbaVpbeF (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/dHEbaVpbeF) > > — The Muse (@TheMuse) [April 22, 2020 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/TheMuse/status/1252944962133676032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **No matter the medium, job interviews require preparation**. However, a video call has an extra obstacle to overcome: technical difficulties. “You want to make sure that your interviewer can focus on your best qualities and not whether they can hear you,” [says Regina Borsellino on The Muse (opens in a new tab)](https://www.themuse.com/advice/video-interview-tips) . Test your setup using the same programs, internet connection, and hardware you’ll use during the real interview. “Have a friend video chat with you to make sure you can hear and be heard and see and be seen,” Borsellino says. ### Other Links of Note **For nonprofits to succeed**, [they need to use (opens in a new tab)](https://ssir.org/articles/entry/data_driven_connections_for_a_better_world#) technology and data to create and sustain relationships, says Adrienne Day on the *Stanford Social Innovation Review*. **Need to make adjustments to your fall conference?** There are [steps you should be taking (opens in a new tab)](https://velvetchainsaw.com/2020/04/21/steps-you-should-be-taking-now-for-your-fall-conference/) right now, suggests Velvet Chainsaw’s Dave Lutz. **For your online community to grow**, it [needs a clear purpose (opens in a new tab)](https://associationsuccess.org/engage/how-to-grow-your-online-community/) , according to a recent post from *Association Success*. (matdesign24/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Michael Hickey](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Michael Hickey is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#trade programs](https://associationsnow.com/tag/trade-programs/) [#volunteers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/volunteers/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoMix Old and New for More Memorable EventsNovember 6, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/11/06/mix-old-and-new-for-more-memorable-events/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [ArticleEight Steps for Taking Your Certification Program InternationalSeptember 11, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/09/11/eight-steps-for-taking-your-certification-program-international/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2020%2F04%2F23%2Fdaily-buzz-what-to-consider-when-your-volunteer-program-needs-a-boost%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !