Part of the MSS grant effort for the Madison Senior Center Foundation is to update our information on the skills, talents, experiences and knowledge of volunteers on our existing data base.  We can then use volunteer software to search the data base for specific information which will match position descriptions.  This creates a listing for targeted recruitment.  We are in the process of receiving volunteer applications back from a recent mailing, and we are looking forward to this improvement in the sophistication of our volunteer program.

It has dawned on me that most agencies may require volunteers to fill out applications when they start, but many may not update their information.  It is certainly a fallacy to assume that volunteers don't learn anything while they are working with you!  And/or that you can remember the specific attributes for 250+ volunteers. 

Seeking updated information from volunteers can discover newly learned skills like foreign language or computer expertise; new talents like playing a musical instrument; or knowledge acquired from a recent college course.  These are all very typical activities in retirement, and yet I think, we may tend to believe that volunteers are "finished", i.e., having completed their skill/talent sets and their knowledge base.  We are missing out, and our agency will be regularly updating volunteer applications in the future.

Lynne, Skip and I are writing MSS position descriptions that morph into acceptance letters.  We hope to have a template for the position description that includes 1) a description of the MSS grant/project, 2) a general statement of their responsibilities, 3) a task list, 4) a general timeline for the project. 

This information then relates directly to an acceptance letter which also includes 1) an acceptance of their service, 2) an approximate time for us to meet formally to evaluate their role and contribution to the project, and 3) the amount they can expect to receive as an honorarium. 

And YES, the word we are using is honorarium.  We are providing an amount ranging between $250 and $500.  We are thinking that a one time effort of short durations demands the lesser amount and a year long commitment of complex duration demands the greater amount.  Since we have funding, we are expanding the opportunities available.

The radio ads are running and we are implementing the publicity plan 

Hello to All,

This technology is remarkable.  I'm enjoying looking around the site; did you see the job description that I posted in the library?

Christine