Volunteer Orientation

The initial step to any volunteer training is a volunteer orientation. An orientation provides general information about the organization, its structure, volunteer opportunities, policies and procedures. It can be formal or informal, face-to-face or online, and can function as a recruitment strategy or as part of volunteer training.

Regardless of its form or function, the volunteer orientation will address:

• Overview of your Community Adult Learning Program
• Adult literacy and foundational learners
• Staff, board, volunteers and funder(s)
• Policies and procedures
• Program calendar and/or course descriptions
• Facility

Volunteer orientation also serves as a networking opportunity for potential volunteers. Invite CALP staff, board members and active volunteers to join a portion of the orientation. They are great advocates of your program and can provide additional informal screening of prospective volunteers when/if appropriate.

• The volunteer orientation is intended to be a general introduction to your Community Adult Learning Program and can be useful in other areas such as promotion and marketing of your CALP to other community partners etc.
  
  
• Anyone who attends your volunteer orientation – whether they choose to pursue the volunteer opportunity or not – is a potential ambassador for your CALP. You want to make a positive first impression.
  
  
• Use the volunteer orientation to provide potential volunteers with a binder to begin customizing their own Volunteer Handbook. Alternatively, some programs provide this information on a branded USB stick.