Don't stop me now day2 a

Time to ‘think differently’ about volunteering

Setting the scene

• National Trust management from 2006 • Volunteer KPI at 67% • Communications generally good• Start of season & mid season meetings (x 6)• Social events and outings • Suggestions box• Some involvement in decision-making • Research groups

“A great team to be part ofOur exceptional, well-resourced and skilled team of staff and volunteers will make things happen in line with our aspirations, bringing a ‘can do’, entrepreneurial spirit and professionalism to all we do”

Our business plan

On volunteering

“Our volunteers’ views and opinions will be sought and valued, and we will develop a volunteering strategy that will ensure that no matter which property you volunteer at, there will be equally high standards of communication, recruitment and management, opportunities to use different skills, to develop knowledge of the property and to be involved in the decision-making”

Volunteer Exemplar Project

• Central volunteering project – 5 properties

• Think differently

• Three ‘big ideas’

• Include volunteers on project management

• Clearly defined role definitions or briefs

• Improve support and development

• In line with business plan

Top 5 things we did…

1. Volunteer Support & Development Team

2. Volunteer Research Groups

3. New volunteers, new roles – better systems and processes

4. CommunicationCourt ClarionBusiness Plan ‘lite’ Visitor Charter

5. Breaking down barriers

Top 5 things we learned…

1. Reaction to change – and managing expectation

2. Desk space

3. Being aware of what else is going on and impact this may have on volunteers

48%

4. Blurring the boundaries between staff and volunteers

5. Why it was a good thing to do

…things can’t stay the same forever…

Final reflections

A rosy future?

Don’t Stop Me Now!

Mark Agnew General Manager

Kellie Scott Volunteering & Community Engagement

Manager

Traditional

RGT

1st recruitment campaign

Engagement

2nd recruitment campaign

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

175 238 235 372 395 430 581

? 24,320 24,579 34,350 43,242 44,999 61,242

Induction

Projects

12 volunteer roles 31 volunteer roles

Working With Vols

Role Hours in 2011

Number of volunteers

Artists & Calligraphers 447.3 7

Buggy Drivers 1718.4 22

Catering 1045.1 13

Conservation, Admin, Research

1207.8 28

Events 655 10

Learning 3264.5 33

Room Guides 26,031.5 273

Shop & Bookshop 3074.7 32

Tuesday Garden Team 1469.5 12

Visitor Welcome 1370.8 7

Walled Garden 5747.1 65

Wardens 13,713.4 79

Understandyour audience

Understandyour needs

DesignOffer

MarketOffer

Select

Induct Manage BroadenSupport

Exit

Broadening the Roles

Interns:• Youth Volunteering• E-Marketing• Conservation &

Engagement• Visitor Research

Volunteer Roles:• Engagement Warden• Costumed Interpreter• Calligrapher• Artist

August

March

• Consult team on what to do on 7th day!• Write up brief (draft)• Consult volunteers• Write brief (final)• Research costume supplies • Recruit Day Organiser• Write supporting materials for volunteers• Write training schedule and rope in presenters• Recruit from within team• Recruit externally during recruitment campaign• Find out final names of those interested• Training Week ONE (intro, measurements, house tour)• Start making/hiring costumes• Training Week TWO (Regency costume, manners etc)• Training Week THREE (house training)• Training Week FOUR (mock opening)• Mansion opens on a Wednesday

I would recommend the Trust as a place to

volunteer (KPI)

0 1

29

68

59

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Stronglydisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree Stronglyagree

Trust

%

2009

2010

2011

I enjoy the volunteering I do

0 0

18

8173

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Stronglydisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree Stronglyagree

Trust

%

2009

2010

2011

Drill down…

Recommendation 68Enjoyment 81

Organisation & management 59Empowerment 34

Engagement 34Culture and values 45

Communication 44Voice 29

The way your volunteering is organised and managed

2 4

33

59

45

010

2030

4050

6070

Stronglydisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree Stronglyagree

Trust

%

2009

2010

2011

It’s not all plain sailing…

What next for volunteering at Attingham?

• Bulk up numbers in some teams• Development opportunities• Training• Consistency in departments• What do future roles look like and who will want

to do them? MASSIVE shift in volunteering• Volunteer management training• Communication in the team

Room Guide

Advocate A role with a different view

Introductorytalk

Deputy DayOrganiser

Tour Guide

Day Organiser

Challenges…1. Change management

2. Maintaining consistency

3. Keeping volunteer management high on the agenda

4. Empowering volunteer managers

5. Communication…600 people

Don't Stop Me Now

Case Study about RSVPRetired and Senior Volunteer Programme

Rachael Bayley

May 2012

• 15,047 Volunteers • 450 are Volunteer Organisers & Coordinators• 27 FTE staff (17 full time and 17

part time)

• Ratio of over 500:1• Projects in Wales, Scotland

& England• Running for 24 years

Data at January 2011

Facts about RSVP

Top Tips (1)

1. Do create projects for people to own 2. Do say No at the recruitment stage 3. Have special volunteers to bring new people in

Top Tips (2)

4. Have volunteers showing the way 5. Have roles that can change to fit 6. Do manage volunteers like volunteers, not like staff

Top Tips (3)

7. Do have peer discussions and lots of coffee

8. Have a Pick and Mix approach to volunteer roles

9. Do attract volunteers whose interest is in management

Workshop

How could you develop these ideas?

What ideas do you have to share?

Rachael Bayley rachaelbayley@yahoo.co.uk

Questions and views?

Which of these would work for you?

Don't Stop Me Now

Case Study about RSVPRetired and Senior Volunteer Programme

Rachael Bayley

May 2012