Understanding a Volunteer Coordinator's Role in a Nonprofit

Some would argue that the most important position in a nonprofit organization or agency is that of the Volunteer Coordinator. All you have to do is take a look at an organization that does NOT have someone in this position to see how important an influential the Volunteer Coordinator can be to the overall efficiency and influence of an organization or agency. Chances are, calls from potential volunteers go unanswered and the agency is under-staffed and not nearly as well run as it could be.

A Volunteer Coordinator is the person who recruits, places, trains and supervisors volunteers in an agency or organization. This could mean event volunteers who help out on a one-time basis, or it could mean long-term volunteers or even interns who complete tasks and work at the agency. The Volunteer Coordinator is often the first person that a potential volunteer (or donor) comes in contact with at an organization and for many individuals; the Volunteer Coordinator serves as supervisor, liaison, and support staff. This person fulfills a public relations role, as well as a management role and may even be a part of the fundraising staff as well.

The exact duties of the Volunteer Coordinator are going to depend on the needs of the organization or agency. For example, an agency that utilizes volunteers to do the direct services of the mission will need volunteers who are qualified, trained and reliable. Another organization may need volunteers to help out at fundraising events or fulfill occasional or one-time tasks. Recruiting for these positions will be different. For larger agencies or organizations, the Volunteer Coordinator works with all types of volunteers, designing training programs, writing job descriptions and handling any reporting or tracking that needs to be done of volunteer hours and efforts.

Even with such an important piece of the organization's operations depending on the work of the Volunteer Coordinator, many organizations either do not have someone in this position or consider it to be "non-essential." Other organizations have prioritized the need for good volunteers and make sure they have a qualified coordinator to make that happen.