Additional Information
"You really can come into volunteer administration from almost any background,"
says Katie Campbell. She is the former executive director of the Association
for Volunteer Administration.
"It's a very eclectic group. Some people come from human resources, others
from social work, education or community development, and others from psychology
or sociology."
Ruth Mackenzie is the senior program manager for a national organization
that promotes volunteerism. Historically, she says, most coordinators gained
their skills on the job. But things are beginning to change. Several colleges
now offer programs in nonprofit and public sector management, event planning
and coordination, and community development.
"As volunteer management gains wider recognition as a career option, more
and more community colleges are offering education in this area," says Mackenzie.
Many longtime volunteer coordinators have gone back to school to pursue
formal education in their field.
The AVA offers an official designation known as a CVA, which stands for
Certified in Volunteer Administration. Applicants go through a process that
includes a portfolio review and multiple-choice examination.
Coordinator Jordi Valdes recommends public relations and public speaking
courses. Computer and business courses are valuable as well. That's because
communication and people skills are a must for any volunteer coordinator.
"So many times," says Valdes, "I meet other volunteer coordinators who
are great organizationalists and have all the computer skills a programmer
would want, but fall short on the human communication level. And when they
speak, they sound as if they are talking down to their volunteers."
There's a simple way of avoiding this trap, Mackenize says. "Volunteer,
volunteer, volunteer. If this is one's career of choice, the better you understand
the reality of being a volunteer, the bigger difference you can make as a
volunteer manager."