Volunteers are Vital

Volunteers are Vital is a series of best practices training for Friends Groups designed to raise the level of participation, activities and skills of library volunteers and advocates.

Because Friends Groups are so busy donating their time to support their branch, we are offering two seminars per year over two years so that we achieve high participation and; allow Group members time to integrate their newly acquired skills.

Membership: Volunteer Recruitment and Retention - Fall 2006

Volunteers - Love 'em or Lose 'em Workshop #1
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, November 4, 2006
and Saturday, December 2, 2006
Children's Department, Central Library
Imagine it. Organize it. Do it

Recruiting active members is the top priority of Friends Groups. This workshop will demonstrate how to address that priority by exploring and exploiting the collective experience and wisdom of participants. First you will learn how to transform a people problem (need for new members) into a work problem (a plan that attracts and develops members). Then you will learn how to implement, evaluate, and continuously adapt your plan. Ronald Rhodes will be leading the workshop. He is an engaging, talented, experienced trainer who will help you to energize your group, think positively about your challenges and help you craft solutions. Role-up your sleeves and we'll learn together.

Organizational Development - Winter-Spring 2007

  1. Mission statements
  2. Committees; organizational structures that make sense, defining responsibilities, optimizing strengths, filling the gaps
  3. Dues and brochures

Project Management: from Book Clubs to Book Sales - Fall 2007

  1. Determining meaningful programs or projects
  2. Structuring a project and grant
  3. Establish goals and milestones
  4. Putting your talent(s) to work
  5. Project Funding; neighborhood, city, state
  6. PR-advertising your program, project or event; flyers, PSA, ads

Advocacy - Winter/Spring 2008

  1. Ongoing or soft:
    • Relationship building: tools for strengthening awareness and visibility with library patrons, library staff and administration, community groups, lawmakers, media
    • Communication, building political capital
  2. Budgets and other emergencies
    • Utilizing your (political) capital
    • Campaigns: designing and getting your message across, building support
    • Rallies, petitions, media

Workshop Location: Central Library