The Role of a Volunteer Tutor Coordinator
The top three reasons why Canadians volunteer are:
- to make a contribution to their community
- the desire to make use of personal skills and experience
- having a personal connection to the cause
(Retrieved from Statistics Canada, Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 2010.)
It is entirely understandable that you will be eager to begin placing volunteer tutors with learners as soon as possible. However, much of the success of a volunteer tutor program lays in building a strong foundation for your program. The role of volunteer coordinator includes several components of volunteer management, including:
- Recruitment
- Screening
- Training
- Support
For those of you who have already been coordinating your CALP’s volunteer program, you will recognize many if not all of the skills listed above. For those who are just beginning, you are embarking on an exciting journey of your own.
This module will provide you with information and resources to help learners in your community – a very rewarding opportunity!
The job description of a literacy or volunteer coordinator often includes the following key responsibilities:
- Recruit, screen and train volunteer tutors
- Provide ongoing professional development, networking and recognition opportunities for volunteer tutors
- Recruit, interview and assess potential learners
- Refer learners to an appropriate learning opportunity, including a one on one match with volunteer tutor
- Maintain regular contact with ongoing learner and volunteer tutor matches
- Provide support, ongoing assessment, appropriate resources and lesson planning for matches
Sample Volunteer Coordinator position description
Excerpt from "Developing Job Descriptions in Ontario's Community Literacy Agencies", 2010. Retrieved from: https://www.communityliteracyofontario.ca/all-resources/developing-job-descriptions-in-ontarios-community-literacy-agencies-2010)
Once your Community Adult Learning Program has filled the position of Literacy or Volunteer Coordinator, your CALP will want to carefully consider and develop strategies around volunteer management before embarking on the matching process. Strong processes around volunteer recruitment, screening, training and support will yield your CALP greater success when it comes time to match volunteer tutors with literacy and foundational learners.