What is the size of a Volunteer Center?

The field of volunteer centers is as diverse as the communities they serve – centers can be found in most metropolitan areas as well as rural and medium sized communities. Staff size ranges from one full-time person to several employees in a large center.

What is the structure of Volunteer Centers?

• Independent non-profit organizations governed by a board of directors

• Program internal to another organization (many times a United Way)
• Part of a local government or a college of university

• Determine the structure of the organization:

Independent 501 ©3 nonprofit, or

Internal division of a public or private nonprofit organization

• Research and meet legal and financial requirements appropriate to structure, including drafting by-laws, filing for appropriate tax status, and establishing accounting and financial management procedures.
• Secure start-up funding (See attached guide for potential funding sources)
• Clearly define board and/or advisory committee roles and prepare job descriptions and orientation materials
• Select the first board of directors or advisory board
• Set a clear vision and mission for the center
• Develop written personnel policies and procedures for paid and volunteer staff
• Secure adequate office space and equipment
• Develop a business plan for the volunteer center’s future

• Those who support the vision of a volunteer center and what it can do for the community
• Should reflect diversity of your community (representation from all sectors – for profit, public, etc. and all other types of diversity in your community)
• Share a commitment to volunteer center involvement – groups who can supply potential volunteers – example: corporate volunteer programs, communities of faith, and senior programs such as RSVP
• Those who have capacity or connections, resources, skills to help launch the volunteer center successfully

Between 8 and 15 members

•  Assess the need and potential support for a volunteer center

• Carry out initial planning

• Secure start-up funding

• Select the first Board of Directors or an Advisory Committee

• Businesses

• Civic Organizations

• Corporations

• Faith Communities

• Junior League – Junior Auxiliaries

• Leadership Organizations (such as chamber of commerce leadership classes)

• Local Government

• Local Management Boards

• Non Profit Organizations

• United Way

• Schools/Universities

• Data:   Depth of community interest, sense of community expectation for a center, Board of Directors, 501©3 non profit status

• Computer:      data base program to record, sort and use information

• Space:  An office, a telephone, a mailing address, a place to meet

• Office Equipment: Answering machine, fax, desk, chair, photocopier

• Operating Funds: Postage, phone, insurance, media, etc.

• Insurance:  Board of Directors and Officers and later for staff and volunteers

• Outreach Campaign: Ways to publicize events and need for volunteers

• Staff: Paid (and volunteers) to be available during office hours

Nine to twelve months before opening the doors (generally)