All new online volunteers are started out with a simple online research assignment that can be completed in five hours or less, with a deadline of two weeks after the assignment is made. This gives the new volunteer a sense of what volunteering with our Project is like, as well as what it's like to volunteer virtually. And this gives our staff sense of how well you work virtually.

Once you've completed this initial assignment, you will either be given another short assignment, a somewhat longer assignment, or several short-term assignments at once (or, you can move on to another organization). The next step depends on what you want to do, your skills and your availability. Before you receive an "advanced" assignment (such as putting together a newsletter or creating an online database), you may be asked for references, writing samples, etc.

New assignments are announced via the VVPROJECTVOLS list, which all new online volunteers are required to join; volunteers receive information on how to join in their online orientation. Volunteers can also e-mail the VV Project director and request a new assignment at any time, so long as the volunteer is not currently working on an assignment already.

Deadlines for assignments are often twice as much as what the staff actually thinks is necessary to complete the assignment. This will allow for scheduling conflicts or computer problems you might encounter. However, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you contact the VV Project staff immediately if you do not think you will be able to complete an assignment on time.

As we mention frequently in our online orientation, this handbook, and via the VVPROJECTVOLS list, each Friday or Monday, depending on your preference, you should e-mail vv@serviceleader.org and tell the VV Project manager:

• what assignment you are working on

• how many hours you've worked on this assignment (even if it's none)

• what percentage of the assignment is left to do (are you half done? 75% done?) and how "on track" you feel

• any problems/obstacles you've encountered in completing this assignment, or any comments in general you would like to make about the assignment (loved it, hated it, learned a lot, etc.).

You can cease volunteering with the Project upon the completion of any volunteer assignment. I ask that you notify me by e-mail if you are going to stop or take a break in volunteering with the Project, and that you tell me why you are stopping (so I can make adjustments in our program, as needed).

Feel free to e-mail anytime with ideas of your own for online projects, or to suggest an area of your skills that you would like to develop further. We want your volunteer stint with us to be beneficial for you too!

 
OTHER CHAPTERS IN THIS HANDBOOK

• Your Commitments in volunteering with the VV Project
  What you are getting into. This is also part of an e-mail orientation you received from us upon completing the online application. It is included here for reference, and for other agencies interested in creating their own online orientations/handbooks.

• Volunteer Agreements/Code of Conduct
  BY REPLYING TO THE ORIENTATION, you agreed to the policies outlined in this chapter! These are our detailed policies regarding volunteers at our agency; MOST of these are NOT included in your online orientation. These policies cover the definition of a volunteer, confidentiality, copyright issues, when additional screening is necessary, inappropriate communications, when volunteers can represent the VV Project, online safety, ending your role as a volunteer with the Project and dismissal of a volunteer.

• Reporting
  Providing a weekly update on what you are doing with regard to your online volunteering assignment is critical to the VV Project. This material is also part of the e-mail orientation you have received.

• General tips for volunteers working on virtual assignments
  A must read whether you volunteer with us or another organization via the Internet.

• Dos and don'ts for technical assistance volunteers
  If you are advising staff or other volunteers with a particular expertise as part of your volunteer experience, this is a must read.

• Recognition of your efforts
  There are various ways we say thanks and keep you up-to-date on our efforts.

• Resources and Tools for Online Volunteers
  Suggestions for using web search engines, shareware, freeware, learning .html, finding news articles on a particular subject, creating databases, and other resources and tools to help you undertake an online assignment successfully. Most of these materials were authored or suggested by online volunteers themselves, based on their own experiences.

Back to the Homepage of this Handbook

The Virtual Volunteering Project http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/