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by Jayne Cravens, Project Manager

This information was last updated on February 7, 2000

Managing offsite volunteers virtually is not vastly different from managing people on-site: it involves basic management skills such as setting and communicating goals, assessing progress and giving regular feedback. You probably don't see onsite volunteers every moment at your organization, so it won't be altogether foreign territory to work with volunteers virtually.

Managing online volunteers even affords managers several benefits, such as having an automatic, extensive written record of volunteer activities (via e-mail and chat archives).

Still, in a virtual environment, some adjustments in styles and approaches to volunteer management must be made to ensure success. For instance, volunteers working via home or work computers can feel isolated or undervalued, and gradually uninspired about the work your organization is doing.

Volunteers, on or offline, can be wonderful ambassadors on behalf of your organization, particularly if they have a satisfying experience while working with your agency. Volunteers tell friends, family and colleagues about their activities with an organization, so it's important for a volunteer to feel valued and supported by your organization during his or her assignment.

In the traditional office, much of the communication and inspiration with volunteers occurs informally. But opportunities for information exchange are very different in the virtual office. Managers must give special consideration to how this communication process can take place virtually as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Many volunteers who work virtually with your organization will work only on a short-term basis, because of personal preference; they may complete one project in two weeks and then withdraw from your program, content with this short-term virtual experience. This is not uncommon. Some of the following management tips may not be necessary in such short-term cases. Following the suggestions below and the VV Project's suggestions for online orientation, however, should help you identify those short-term volunteers early.

Management via the Internet comes naturally to some people; for others, there is a significant learning curve. Keep in mind that not all of this information may be applicable to your organization or to every manager.

There are many simple things you can do to help managers feel comfortable about managing volunteers virtually, and, in turn, help volunteers provide you with the best possible support. The following are process tips; on another page, we also offer advice regarding Online Culture - learning the different styles of "personalities" online, interpreting people's written communications and assisting volunteers and managers alike in being clear and effective online.

 
For easier online reading, this narrative has been divided into seperate Web pages:

• Management by objectives
  
• Regular Online Reporting by Volunteers
  
• Staying In Touch and In Tune With Online Volunteers
  
• Building a sense of team / Ensuring inclusion of online volunteers
  
• Additional Tips to Ensure Success of Virtual Volunteering
  
• Links to Related Resources

Read how these online management principles are put into action at the Virtual Volunteering Project by our own program manager, Jayne Cravens, or at other organizations involving online volunteers.

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