Evaluation

Evaluating volunteer involvement and satisfaction

Some example questions for a volunteer survey form
Volunteer appraisals
What to do with the information from volunteer surveys and appraisals?

Most volunteers gain satisfaction from completing the physical tasks. The success of an environmental program that involves volunteers can be measured by their level of involvement, satisfaction and the messages they take with them from the program and organisation.

Evaluation can be:

Quantitative (statistical measurement - this requires collecting statistics on how many volunteers are involved, how often, where they work etc) and
Qualitative (gaining insight into attitudes and experiences - this requires getting feedback from volunteers about the quality of their volunteering experience and their performance).

Keep track of volunteer participation on the attendance record - who is participating regularly?
Count the hours worked by volunteers. See Administration (Attendance Records)
Count volunteer numbers on the database. NOTE: the numbers show volunteer participation, but are not necessarily an indication of a great volunteer program.
Once a year, ask the volunteers to complete a survey about the organisation, the program, their work tasks, and ask for their comments and ideas for changing things - it is a good sign if volunteers give feedback that they are having an enjoyable time and feel they are making a worthwhile contribution.
Survey staff and other people involved with the program via team meetings, questionnaires and general comments.
Distribute evaluation forms at the end of training events for feedback.
Speak to volunteer supervisors before and after volunteer work days to get feedback about support needed.
Stay in contact with the Volunteer Co-ordinators Network (via the email list server or go to the meetings) for new ideas, information sharing and feedback. See Email Networks in More information.

Volunteering measurement toolkit www.independentsector.org/media/iyv_pr.html
A toolkit prepared for the International Year of the Volunteer on measuring the impact of voluntary action. It can be applied on a national, regional or local level by funding bodies, policy-makers or community organisations. The toolkit has helpful advice on all aspects of measurement and includes sample questions that can be included in volunteer surveys. This toolkit was developed by the Independent Sector (a U.S. non-profit organisation) and United Nations Volunteers (the UN organisation that promotes volunteering).

The Volunteer Coordinators Network (Natural Areas) Manual © 2004