For nearly 15 years, NCOE has administered one of the largest volunteer capacity building AmeriCorps programs in the country, the Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP), a State & National program funded through the CA state commission, California Volunteers (external website, new window). Operating in over 19 counties in CA, NCOE has provided volunteer management training and support for over 100 AmeriCorps VIP members annually to strengthen capacity and build sustainable volunteer programs at over 600 agencies throughout CA. The NCOE National Service staff have become “go to volunteer experts” providing training and technical assistance on volunteer engagement, capacity building and recruitment for new California AmeriCorps members, partnering agencies, and program staff.
Building on the success and impact of the AmeriCorps VIP program, VITA will focus on addressing the needs of small and less-resourced nonprofits and schools, particularly those serving diverse communities. Participants will engage in Professional Learning, Communities of Practice and 1:1 Coaching to establish the infrastructure needed for successful and thriving volunteer programs of all sizes. Ultimately these activities will engage more than 2000 volunteers in service and help create an organizational culture ready to welcome and sustainably support skills-based, multi-generational volunteers, and national service members at all levels.
When joining VITA, you will join a community of learners that are passionate about increasing community engagement and volunteerism in their agencies and schools. Through a series of virtual live webinars, asynchronous trainings, peer support groups and one on one coaching and consulting with experts in the field, over the course of 2 years, staff of each participating agency will gain the skills, confidence and the resources they need to build the foundation of a sustainable volunteer program.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
VITA seeks to empower and inspire leaders in the public sector to build the foundation of a strong and thriving volunteer culture and volunteer program at their nonprofit or school. Participants will gain a solid understanding of volunteer management best practices, how to gain leadership and staff buy-in, where to start, and how to create long term sustainability for their volunteer programs that benefit their agencies, the volunteers, and the communities they serve.
- Building Inclusive Volunteer Cultures
- Volunteer Engagement
- Strategic Planning for volunteers
- Fundraising & Budgeting
- Volunteer Policies & Procedures
- Volunteer Tracking & Data Collection
- Recruitment & Retention
- Building Sustainability
- Evaluation & Reporting
- Incorporating National Service
KEY RESOURCES AND TAKEAWAYS:
- Volunteer Management Fundamentals Certification
- Volunteer Program Fundraising Toolkit
- Volunteer Capacity Assessment & Workplan Guides
- Supportive and engaging Community of Practice w/peer leaders
- One-on-one coaching and consulting with volunteer and fund development experts
- Templates galore
- Countless more resources and tips from experts in the field!
Course Flyer (new window) – PDF
- Agencies can designate between 1-3 staff or committed long-term volunteer (Board member, PTA member, unpaid CEO or Director).
- VITA is a 2 year, 20-month commitment spanning January 2024- November 2025. (No classes are held in July or December of each year).
- Average monthly time commitment= 6 hours/month.
- Virtual webinars (2 hours each) will be the 1st Thursday of every month, exact time TBD at notification of acceptance.
- Additional individual completion of asynchronous training, follow-up assignments as needed throughout the course (up to 4 hours).
- Participants will be expected to attend at minimum 85% of all live monthly webinar and Community of Practice sessions. On occasions when attendance is not possible, course recordings and knowledge checks will be available for make-up completion each month.
PARTICIPATION STIPENDS:
We are thrilled to offer added incentive for joining VITA to encourage and recognize agency time commitment and ensure dedication to the program mission and goals. Agencies that successfully complete and satisfy VITA program requirements will be eligible for stipends up to $2,500/year (Distributed to agencies in December 2024, and December 2025). The final stipend amount will be based on meeting monthly participation requirements.