FAQs Resources for AGENCIES Resources for VOLUNTEERS About the Virtual Volunteering Project Subscribe to VIRTUAL VERVE What's new Site Index Home Page		using the Internet to support volunteers This information was last updated on November 6, 2000 The Internet offers a great way to support volunteers, particularly those that work away from an agency's direct supervision: E-mail offers a way to update volunteers quickly about a resource they may find valuable in their service. Consider creating a regular e-mail update to send to volunteers each week, every other week, or each month. This update can include policy reminders, event announcements, or suggestions for resources to help volunteers in their service and reinforce particular issues or guidelines they should keep in mind at all times. An online discussion group offers volunteers an easy avenue to share learnings and ideas and to ask questions of each other. How to create such an online discussion group is discussed elsewhere on the VV Project web site. The Web offers a way to provide manuals, guidelines, statistics and other information volunteers may find helpful to their service. Start by making any materials you hand out to volunteers also available on the Web: policy manuals, guide books, etc. In fact, converting this information to .HTML is a great task for an online volunteer!

These web-based resources by various organizations provide volunteers working offsite with tools and resources they can use to be successful in their service. These online manuels provide great examples of how to successfully train and support volunteers online, even those volunteers an agency may occassionally see face-to-face. Some are computer/Internet/networking-related resources, but many are not -- there's information for volunteers tutoring young people, online volunteers mentoring students, volunteers serving in developing countries, and more:

Handbook for Online Volunteers
Created by the Virtual Volunteering Project to support its own online volunteers in their work. In addition to housing policies and code of conduct for online volunteers, this handbook also includes a section on "Resources and Tools for Online Volunteers," developed in large part by online volunteers themselves. The handbook offers suggestions for using web search engines, shareware, freeware, preventing computer viruses, learning .html, finding news articles on a particular subject, creating databases, moderating online discussion groups, and other resources and tools to help a volunteer undertake an online assignment successfully.

 

Community Workers' Handbooks
Community empowerment, management and development resources to support volunteers of Seattle Community Network (SCN). Includes:

• Handbook for Mobilizers (principles and methods for strengthening a community)
• Handbook for Generating Wealth (principles and a method for fighting causes of poverty, including tips for starting and sustaining a micro-enterprise)
• Handbook of Monitoring (sample forms, tips for writing reports, measuring success, etc.)
• Training modules in community empowerment, community mobilization, project management and design, obtaining group decisions, awareness raising and gender balance, identifying community resources, and more
• The entire Community Management and Development (CMP) Training Curriculum

 
CompuMentor Volunteer's Resource Center
This section of the CompuMentor web site is to support its tech volunteers working with nonprofits and schools, primarily in the greater San Francisco, California Bay Area. Their resources for volunteers are divided up into these sections; much of the information is regional-specific, but much of it would be helpful to any tech volunteer:

• How to Help Someone Use a Computer
• Structuring Volunteer Projects
• Volunteering in Nonprofits
• Volunteers in Schools
• Intro to Databases
• Database Development Plan
• Networking Concepts
• Planning Networks
• Installing Networks
• Administering Networks
• Using Donated Computers
• Computer Hardware Recycling
• Planning a Web site
• Web Development Resources

 
(Computer) Lab Assistant's Handbook
For volunteers working in the academic computing labs of the Academic Technology and Networks. A very human approach to training and supporting onsite volunteers via the Web, applicable to any organization that has volunteers staffing any kind of facility, computer or not. An excerpt from the introduction: "Our goal is to provide an excellent service that is people oriented. People don't leave their feelings outside the door when they enter a lab. They get sensitive, frustrated, and confused the same as anyone else. They'll remember a smile or a kind word even if they don't remember how to get footnotes in WordPerfect. We hope that the following guidelines will provide you with the information and tools that you need to provide that quality service." Details expectations (appearance, attitude, dependability, time management, etc.), responsibilities and policies.

Master Internet VolunteerSM Program
An online educational program designed to train volunteers to help other people in their communities with the Internet and related technical issues. The program was created by the University of Minnesota Extension Service as a way to educate community volunteers in the concepts and applications of the Internet, and the web site helps train these volunteers to provide this assistance. These community volunteers are then able to more effectively assist others with applications of the Internet. Master Internet VolunteersSM work with University of Minnesota Extension Service county offices and directly with community organizations to help others learn and make effective use of the Internet. The University of Minnesota Extension Service provides this training in exchange for volunteer time, including:

• Staffing public access Internet computers at University of Minnesota Extension Service offices, libraries and other locations.
• Developing web pages for community organizations.
• Giving demonstrations for the public.
• Writing articles for local newspapers.
• Teaching community education classes.
• Working with youth, seniors, or special interest groups to help them use the Internet.

 
National Service Resource Center (NSRC)
NSRC is a training and technical assistance provider to programs funded by the Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps, VISTA, SeniorCorps, etc.). Its web site supports these volunteers in their work, and includes a database for effective practices (Epicenter), and an extensive online resource library that includes volunteer support materials for its volunteers, such as
• Growing and Sustaining a School-Wide Tutoring Program
• Making an Impact on Out-of-School Time
• Seniors for Schools: Effective Practices Guidebook
• Students Teaching Students: A Handbook for Cross-Age Tutoring

 
NetDay How-To Guide Index
NetDay sponsors one-day, all-volunteer efforts to build appropriate wiring infrastructure in schools so they can access the Internet. The NetDay How-To Guide provides everything volunteers need to undertake these one-day events successfully
• Tips for Local Organizing
• State and Local Support: Getting Partners on Board
• Planning for NetDay
• Marketing NetDay to Businesses and Other Sponsors
• What NetDay Sponsors Can Do
• Sample NetDay Advertisements
• NetDay Public Relations Essentials
• Technical Issues
• The NetDay Kit
• Site Survey and Wiring Plan
• Cable Installation and Sample Wiring Plan
• Checklist for Technicians
• Non-Technical Volunteers
• Suggested Tools and Supplies
• Numerous Checklists

 
Sanchez Elementary School Online Mentoring Program
Mentoring Guidelines and Activities
This handbook for online volunteer mentors serving in this program has information and resources to support them in their interactions with students at Sanchez. The handbook, developed by the Virtual Volunteering Project, includes information about the fourth graders at Sanchez and their neighborhood; tips for getting started in an online relationship and suggestions for activities to maintain the relationship; policies and procedures; safety guidelines; an overview of online culture; links to resources on web sites by other organizations; and much more.

 
UNV Security Handbook
For volunteers and staff of the United Nations Volunteers program. Everything from "Security Guidelines Specific for Women" and what to do "If Stopped By Armed Aggressors" to "Map Reading" tips and information on health and medical kits. Of interest to any volunteers anywhere (as well as volunteer managers themselves) may be the entire section on "Stress Management."

 
Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) Understanding Technology Series
VITA places volunteers in developing countries to provide access to information and knowledge, strengthen local institutions and introduce improved technologies. Its areas of assistance include (but is not limited to) agriculture, business and industry, energy, environment, food processing and management, health and medicine, housing, information and communication, transportation, water supply and sanitation. VITA technical papers are used by volunteers as guidelines in selecting technologies suitable to specific situations. Charts, diagrams, graphs, and the like are not included in these online, text-only versions.

 
World Links for Development (WorLD) Resource Materials
The World Links for Development (WorLD) program provides Internet connectivity and training for teachers, teacher trainers and students in developing countries in the use of technology in education. WorLD then links students and teachers in secondary schools in developing countries with schools in industrialized countries for collaborative learning via the Internet. The WorLD training materials help familiarize volunteers and other participants with how the Internet to enhance education programs, and includes

• building a collaborative web project
• reference library
• a guide to conducting research on the Internet
• technology resources (Internet basics, using e-mail and browsers,
• school technology planning, wiring/cabling a school, evaluating
• donations, Internet tools, connectivity, networking, Year 2000
• issues, a list of free stuff and other technical advice and support.

Also see our resource Working with Web Volunteers.

 
If you use this material to help your organization, please e-mail us and let us know!

• Virtual Volunteering Resources
  How to find and involve volunteers working from home or work computers, online resources for volunteer managers, advice for individuals who want to volunteer virtually, etc. These pages are updated and added to each month.

• How Your Agency Can Utilize the Virtual Volunteering Project
  Tips on how to use this Web site, information about our offline services, and how we can help you introduce or expand virtual volunteering in your agency.

• Virtual Volunteering Project home page

 
If you find this or any other Virtual Volunteering Project information helpful, or would like to add information based on your own experience, please contact us.

If you do use Virtual Volunteering Project materials in your own workshop or trainings, or republish materials in your own publications, please let us know, so that we can track how this information is disseminated.

If you are interested in more up-to-date information about virtual volunteering, view the Virtual Volunteering Wiki.