Managing Volunteers - Organizer Guide

Why Volunteers Matter

Volunteers are the backbone of successful disaster relief campaigns. They help with sorting donations, distribution, logistics, and providing direct assistance to affected communities.

Feature Available

The volunteer management system is fully operational! Access it at /profile/volunteers to review applications, approve volunteers, and track hours. Need to enable volunteer signups? See Recruiting Volunteers.

Accessing Volunteer Applications

Navigate to /profile/volunteers or click your avatar → "Manage Volunteers"
Select your campaign from the dropdown
Review pending applications in the "Volunteers" tab
See active volunteers and their hours completed

Volunteer Application Process

Volunteer Applies

Users submit volunteer applications through your campaign page

You Review

Review their profile, availability, and skills

Accept or Decline

Approve qualified volunteers for your team

Assign Roles

Give volunteers specific roles and responsibilities

What to Look For

Availability

Can they commit to your campaign timeline? Do their available hours match your needs?

Skills & Experience

Do they have relevant skills? Prior volunteer experience? Special qualifications?

Location

Are they based near your campaign area? Can they travel to the location?

Motivation

Why do they want to help? Do they understand the commitment required?

Be Welcoming

Even if you can't accept every volunteer, respond politely and thank them for their interest. They may still become donors or spread word about your campaign.

Organizing Your Team

• Create clear volunteer roles with specific responsibilities
• Set up a communication channel (group chat, messaging app)
• Schedule regular check-ins and team meetings
• Assign team leaders for different areas (sorting, packing, distribution)
• Keep track of volunteer hours and contributions
• Provide necessary training or orientation

Best Practices

Respond to volunteer applications within 24-48 hours
Provide clear instructions and expectations upfront
Recognize and appreciate volunteer efforts regularly
Keep volunteers informed about campaign progress
Be flexible and understanding of volunteer schedules

Safety Considerations

✓ Ensure safe working conditions for volunteers
✓ Provide necessary safety equipment (gloves, masks, etc.)
✓ Brief volunteers on safety protocols
✓ Have emergency contact information for all volunteers
✓ Consider insurance or liability coverage if applicable

Next Steps

Learn how to review and approve volunteer applications from your dashboard.

Approving Applications →