The 1-day workshop is based on the “Ten Best Practices in Volunteer Management” and the “Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.  Also being used is the Signature Trail Evaluation to demonstrate all the important components of trail destination development and how it feeds the visitor experience.

These “Ten Best Practices in Volunteer Management” follow a natural progression. The first three focus on laying the foundation for an effective program. The next three deal with developing safe and appropriate volunteer jobs and getting the right people for the positions. The final four center on creating an environment that provides successfully recruited volunteers with the skills, support, and desire to stay involved.

This creates the best environment for the delivery of great user experience.

Best Practices

Laying the Foundation

1. Valuing the Role of Volunteers
2. Defining Rules and Expectations
3. Developing Volunteer Management Skills

Developing the Jobs and Getting the Right People

4. Reducing Client and Group Risk
5. Creating Clear Assignments
6. Reaching Beyond the Circle

Creating an Environment Where Volunteers Feel They Belong and Want to Stay

7. Orienting and Training Volunteers
8. Providing Supervision
9. Making Volunteers Feel They Belong
10. Recognizing Volunteer Contributions

Objectives

By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:

1. Develop a Leadership Program Framework
2. Create a Volunteer Recruitment Plan
3. Conduct Inspiring Orientation and Training Sessions
4. Empower Volunteers
5. Establish a Recognition Program
6. Assisting with the delivery of a great trail volunteer and user experiences

Benefits of Volunteers

Volunteers will add great value to the Hastings Trails initiative by:

1. Providing a diverse range of skills, experience, and knowledge.
2. Raising awareness about our trails and community.
3. Assisting in the development and delivery of activities, projects or services by bringing in new opinions, ideas or approaches.
4. Supporting our land stewardship, trail maintenance, and environmental programs.
5. Helping us to save money and resources.

Benefits of Volunteering

By providing volunteering opportunities we can offer opportunities for social inclusion, skills development and potential routes to employment.

The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on overall psychological well-being.  Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety, it helps combat depression, increases self-confidence, provides a sense of purpose and helps you stay physically healthy.

Benefits of Volunteers to the Community

1. Economic Development
2. Tourism – ambassadors and communicators
3. Business Expansion
4. Natural & Cultural Asset Preservation
5. Recreation
6. Active Transportation