Virtual volunteering - online trainining for youth workers

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING

Online training
Session #: 4
Target group: Youth Workers

1. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING Online training Session #: 4 Target group: Youth Workers Jan 27 th , 2022

2. Partners Subjekt d.o.o. Virtual Volunteering Fondacija Novi Sad 2021 - Evropskaprestonica Kulture Obstinska Fondatsia Plovdiv 2019 Immaginaria Coop Sociale Onlus Fundacja Edukacyjna Nausika Larpifiers AMKE Asociatia Timisoara 2021 - Capitala Europeana a Culturii

3. YOUNGETEERS project timeline START March 2021 ONLINE Traininings LLTA Plovdiv MANUAL & Method Dissemination events 03.2021 summer/fall fall Virtual Volunteering 12 .2022 06.2021 03.2022 kick-off Rijeka Closing Conference & MM Novi Sad Mid-term Greece winter

4. INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS O1 methodology The Methodology for Training Youth Workers in Volunteer Management in Culture manual The Manual for Volunteer Management in Culture During the Crisis O3

5. TODAY’S TEAM Maria Timisoara 2023 Anita Subjekt Virtual Volunteering Mayumi Timisoara 2023

6. TODAY’S TEAM Franz Plovdiv 2019 Vojislav Novi Sad 2022 Virtual Volunteering Antonio Imaginaria

7. SUMMARY What is virtual volunteering? What do online volunteers do? Is Virtual Volunteering good? Step 1: Re-think the purposes (mission and values) and processes Step 2: How we can serve the purposes in a socially responsible way during crisis? Virtual Volunteering

8. OBJECTIVES Enhance the dialogue and critical thinking regarding VV (online and digital volunteering) in pre-pandemic and (post) pandemic contexts Equip with know-how and tools for setting & upgrading a VV programme Discuss the new trends in volunteering and the growing role of technology in engaging volunteers, identify actions to take at organizational and partnership levels Virtual Volunteering

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10. 01 DEFINITIONS What is virtual volunteering? History Virtual Volunteering

11. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING (VV) m eans volunteer tasks completed, in whole or in part , via the Internet and a home or work computer. It's also known as online volunteering, cyber service, online mentoring, teletutoring and various other names. (Ellis et al, 2000, p1) is not meant as a substitute for traditional “in person” volunteering; the innovative use of technology is adding both to the quantity of service contributed and to attracting people who have not necessarily volunteered before; from Wikipedia : Virtual volunteering refers to volunteer activities completed, in whole or in part, using the Internet and a home, school, telecenter, or work computer or other Internet-connected device, such as a smart phone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Virtual Volunteering

12. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING (VV) HISTORY Beginnings: The practice of virtual volunteering to benefit nonprofit initiatives dates back to at least the early 1970s , when Project Gutenberg began involving online volunteers to provide electronic versions of works in the public domain; In 1995, a new nonprofit organization called Impact Online (now called VolunteerMatch ), based in Palo Alto, California, began promoting the idea of "virtual volunteers"; The Virtual Volunteering Project website was launched in 1997; Growth: Online volunteering has been adopted by thousands of nonprofit organizations and other initiatives. Measuring: no organization is currently tracking best practices in online volunteering in the USA or worldwide, how many people are engaged in online volunteering, or how many organizations utilize online volunteers. ( Wikipedia ) Virtual Volunteering

13. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING Virtual Volunteering Online mentoring Teletutoring Virtual management Volunteer computing Online volunteering Remote volunteering e-Volunteering Cyber service Virtual volunteering (Extended definition): a variety of engagement activities including offsite, direct service and other activities where volunteers complete their engagement at last partly f rom a remote location and often leveraging internet based communications in some way.

14. What do online volunteers do? Micro-volunteering 2 WHAT? Virtual Volunteering

15. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES answering questions counseling people conduct online research conduct online outreach and advocacy creating a podcast creating web pages crowdsourcing designing a database designing graphics developing material for a curriculum distance (e-)learning editing a video Virtual Volunteering flexible editing or writing proposals, press releases, newsletter articles etc. e-visits (with someone who is homebound or in hospital) internet pastoral care managing & supervising other online volunteers moderating online discussion groups monitoring the news providing expertise (IT, legal, business, medical, agricultural etc.) researching subjects scanning documents / tagging photos and files training other volunteers translating documents writing software (open-source)

16. MICRO- VOLUNTEERING (MV) T akes a simple idea – that people are more likely to volunteer their time in short and convenient, bite-sized chunks – and turns it into a new approach to community action. It offers volunteers a series of easy tasks that can be done anytime, anywhere, on your own terms; E.g, signing a petition, retweeting a message, to taking part in a flashmob, counting birds in your garden; V olunteers don’t need to go through an application or training process ; The vast majority of micro-volunteering takes place online – more than 80% in 2016 – but it doesn’t have to . ( Theguardian.com , 2021) Virtual Volunteering gig-market

17. MICRO- VOLUNTEERING (MV) 1 small amounts of time easy to access Immediate convenient task rather than role orientated informal agreement can take place online or offline can be a one-off or more regular The most important element being that volunteers hold more control over their volunteering activities and tasks. Virtual Volunteering The Future Of Micro-Volunteering The r ise of virtual volunteering and digital transformation in a post Pandemic society >> adapting volunteer retention and engagement activities ; Research from the NVCO 2 shows that Micro-Volunteering is likely to be a big part of future practice as those organisations who have already implemented it have “largely benefitted from doing so”. 1 volunteer .org - Micro Volunteering - What is it and how to implement it? (accessed 12.2021) 2 The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, UK

18. Why engage virtual volunteers? Concerns related to virtual volunteering 03 IS IT GOOD? Virtual Volunteering

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20. Why engage virtual volunteers? Virtual Volunteering Benefits Virtual volunteering can make volunteering more widely accessible to those who care about the mission by enabling people to volunteer from any location and at many different times of day. In this way, it can also diversify the workforce by being inclusive of people of multiple physical abilities, of those who live or work in different locations, and of those with different schedule availability. In the context of the present project and of the global socio-economic conditions, virtual volunteering can be seen as antidote to many of the unfortunate ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic . (Socialgoodconnect.org, 2021)

21. PROS & CONS Virtual Volunteering Pros of virtual volunteering 3 Global reach Accessible / Youth friendly Skills based Time efficient Cost-efficient Environmentally friendly Other? 1. Sociable 2. Personal development 3. Immediate impact Other? Pros of face-to-face volunteering 3 Socialgoodconnect.org Reflection on the warnings of the digitalisation of volunteering related activities Digital divide Use of digital devices >> self-sufficiency (atomisation); social media : relative positioning (anxiety caused by comparing w/others), addictive behaviours (fetishise/dependance of digital devices, virtue signaling etc.); risks regarding privacy on the internet, cyberbullying etc.

22. PROS & CONS Virtual Volunteering Risks of virtual volunteering 4 accountability If the volunteers aren’t here with us, how can we monitor their performance? reliability If the volunteers aren’t even willing to come in personally, how can we be sure that they are dependable? risk management If they are using their own computers, how do we protect our data and ensure that the volunteers respect organizational confidentiality? 4 Steinhorn, 2020, p2-3

23. “[UN] online volunteering is, by nature, inclusive. Anyone, anywhere, can help.[...] Many options are available for those who are motivated to make the world a better place.” — UNITED NATIONS ONLINE VOLUNTEERING SERVICE ( UNV.ORG ) Virtual Volunteering

24. 04 RE-THINK Values and mission of virtual volunteering From the digitalization of the volunteer management cycle processes to Virtual Volunteering Virtual Volunteering

25. DIGITAL YOUTH WORK 5 Digital youth work is underpinned by the same ethics, values and principles as youth work . Working definition of YOUTH WORK : actions directed towards young people regarding activities where they take part voluntarily , designed for supporting their personal and social development through non-formal and informal learning . Youth workers in this context refer to both paid and volunteer youth workers. Using digital media and technology in youth work should always support these goals. 5 EC- DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. (2018). Developing digital youth work Virtual Volunteering

26. DEGREES OF VIRTUALITY Level 1 Getting information from the Internet Level 2 Interacting with individuals online Level 3 Putting information on the Internet Level 4 Integrating cyberspace with real-world volunteer assignments Level 5 Virtual Volunteering (Ellis & Cravens, 1999) Virtual Volunteering

27. Volunteer Management Cycle (VMC) 8 STEPS Virtual Volunteering Planning the volunteer programme Creating volunteer position description Recruitment of volunteers / PR Selection of volunteers Involvement and Training Supervision and Support Evaluation of the volunteer programme / measuring Recognition and Rewarding of volunteers

28. Setting a VV programme 6 …is more than the digitalization of VMC processes Virtual Volunteering Overcoming resistance to online volunteer service Designing virtual volunteering assignments: from micro-volunteering to long-term projects from Web research to working directly with clients via the Internet Adding a virtual component to any volunteer’s service Interviewing and screening online volunteers Managing risk and protecting confidentiality in online interactions Creating online communities for volunteers Offering orientation and training via Internet tools Recruiting new volunteers successfully through the Web and social media Assuring accessibilit y and diversity among online volunteers 6 Cravens, J. & Ellis, S., (2014) The Last Virtual Volunteering Guidebook. Energize, Inc.

29. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING: PURPOSE AND PROCESSES Has the MISSION of the organisation changed? Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS

30. # 1 Planning the volunteer programme Virtual Volunteering Background Mission, Vision (management vs. leadership) Strategic priorities (programme vs. strategy) (Re)opening plan (technology, crisis) Volunteer engagement plan Roles Recruitment Retention Reorientation and training Recognition Risk management Revision of policy Report Resources

31. # 1 Planning the volunteer programme Virtual Volunteering VV related aspects to consider: Equipment and online services available (easy accessibility to a computer and the Internet, technical advisors) Amend any policies and procedures manuals relating to volunteers to cover volunteers working virtually (who provides computer, software, internet; covering expenses; grounds for dismissal of an online volunteer etc.)

32. # 2 VV v olunteer activity design Virtual Volunteering Start with a list of “virtual office” jobs which can be performed by volunteers From byte-sized assignments to increased responsibility Direct online services (volunteer -beneficiary) Innovative virtual volunteering activities Clarify aspects such as: volunteer-supervisor communication, deadlines, work quality, provide training / support.

33. Volunteer persona Virtual Volunteering Profile Activity design Personality Biography Book Lover Big Dreamer Artist Creative WHO? WHAT? HOW? The design of the volunteer activities starts with the profile Age Range Gender 17-25 years old Woman Literature Student Skills Values/Attitudes Experience Availability Occupation

34. # 3 Recruitment of volunteers & PR Virtual Volunteering The Internet provides all sorts of avenues for spreading your message electronically. Marketing Volunteer opportunities online works for both finding off-line volunteers as online ones and has become the main recruitment strategy in the past decades. Checks before recruitment: volunteer assignment descriptions (including needed technology), next steps such as face-to-face/online meeting / interview, orientation etc. Virtual recruitment tips Stick to a communication calendar for recruitment. Design an email template. Host a quarterly webinar about your program. Use recruitment websites/portals (e.g. the new match making platform TM2023 )

35. # 3 Recruitment of volunteers & PR Virtual Volunteering Virtual volunteer’s Set-up and Self-test questions Technology, digital skills. Self-test: Are you Ready to Volunteer Virtually? (Ellis et al, 1999) COMMUNICATING DURING CRISES Stay up-to-date. Communicate urgency. Emphasize the volunteer's safety and wellness first. Be sensitive to the different ways people react to stress.

36. WHAT PLATFORMS ARE WE GOING TO USE? Orientation, promote the organizations, storytelling Build a community of constituents and volunteers Updates and # campaigns YOUTUBE FACEBOOK TWITTER Virtual Volunteering Network w/ pro-bono, skilled and corporate volunteers LINKEDIN Instagram—sharing photos of volunteers in-action INSTAGRAM Registration GOOGLE +

37. SAME DAY POST ON PUBLISH DAY DAY AFTER POST WEEK AFTER POST MONTH AFTER POST CUSTOM DATE CONTENT SHARING PLAN Virtual Volunteering

38. # 4 Selection of volunteers Virtual Volunteering Tips Ask the right questions (motivation, competences, resources) Matching volunteers to assignments is a learned skill Be patient, be supportive; remember that not every job is right for every volunteer and vice-versa Ask for references where appropriate Self screening & Tips (Annexes 2 & 3) “Interviewing, Screening and Matching,” “Orientation,” and “Training” blend in virtual volunteering Speedy process Immediacy (volunteers want to start right away)

39. # 5 Involvement & training. Retention Virtual Volunteering Involvement & training Rethinking retention Hours / events / shifts Years of service Fulfilling required commitments Consistency Maintaining certifications Online training On-line presentations Pre-reading & homework Participant guides & videos In-person meetings On-job training Continuing education Calls & alternative communication channels Platform features Team Learning objectives Audience size knowledge skills abilities attitudes

40. # 6 Supervision & support Session#3 Virtual Volunteering Connect regularly Have volunteers check in with each other by email, text or whatsapp / phone; Set up communication flow to ensure that information is shared with everyone. Provide structure and ask for feedback Clearly state your expectations. Share the project or work timeline. Check in regularly. Allow volunteers to make recommendations Q. How would you rate the organization's use of technology in engagement and recruitment? Q. How satisfied are your with your virtual volunteer experience? (VolunteerMatch, 2020)

41. # 7 Evaluation & measuring Virtual Volunteering What do we measure? Results / outcomes Effects Impact And how? Quantitative and qualitative data: #volunteers, #events, #projects#, #hours, type of activities performed, #beneficiaries, #cost, #organisations etc. Instruments: volunteer portal, volunteer satisfaction form, interview, evaluation by coordinator, sociological survey etc. At what level ? Volunteer Organization Beneficiaries Community Society at large / policies

42. IMPACT Data collection processes Impact measurement methods Instruments Continuous process Virtual Volunteering Quantitative & Qualitative data

43. # 8 Recognition & Rewarding Virtual Volunteering Show appreciation (volunteer coordinator , staff etc.) Feature volunteer stories on your blog, website, or social media channels. Create a badge on LinkedIn volunteers can use to highlight their community involvement. Give awards

44. CALENDAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2 1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Awareness campaign CAMPAIGN 1 Recruitment campaign at the beginning of the year / event related CAMPAIGN 2 Events and communication activities throughout the year ENGAGEMENT TRAINING DISSEMINATION RETENTION December 5th AWARDING

45. 05 SERVING DURING CRISIS Crises redefined Covid-19: Solidarity and volunteering Moving towards virtual volunteering Digital tools to enhance solidarity Virtual Volunteering

46. Covid 19 affecting all SDGS 7 Virtual Volunteering The COVID-19 pandemic ”is more than a health emergency, it is a systemic crisis that is already affecting economies and societies in unprecedented ways […] is a systemic human development crisis – affecting health, economic and broad social dimensions of development and potentially eroding gains accumulated over decades”. 7 UNPD, ( 2020 ). COVID-19 and Human Development: Assessing the Crisis, Envisioning the Recovery, p3-4 Fig. UNPD, (2020). Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19, p12

47. Covid 19 affecting all SDGS Virtual Volunteering Affecting social cohesion within countries, the behaviour of individuals, our well-being and mental health, trust in the authorities may be eroded depending on the perceived effectiveness of the measures taken. (UNDP, 2020) Need for ?

48. COVID-DRIVEN STRATEGIES 8 Virtual Volunteering and Training Recruitment and Partnerships Rethinking Retention Measuring Impact Virtual Volunteering Redefining Community 8 Steinhorn, B., (2020) - Building Back Better: Leveraging the Power of Volunteers

49. Virtual Volunteering Plovdiv 2019 Virtual Volunteering Functioning since 2012 More than 500 people involved Close collaboration with Plovdiv University (Philological Department) Online communication with youngsters/ face-to-face communication with elders Main tasks: Blogging and newsletters Translation services Writing articles Content writing Video and photo content (over 10,000 photos shot) Press- clipping Google, online surveys creating and implementation

50. NOTABLE VIRTUAL/ONLINE VOLUNTEERING ACHIEVEMENTS Lyuben Branzalov, a Google scholar, created an application for events in Plovdiv 2019 Kiril – a 17 years old, 10 grade volunteer from the Math Hight School, created an online platform for volunteer management as part of his desire to contribute to the initiative ECoC 2019 Vanessa Popova – Graduated her Bachelor degree in Photography with a project including pictures and videos only from Plovdiv 2019 events Virtual Volunteering

51. 27 th Sibiu International Theatre Festival - 2020 FITS Online Edition Physically support to the Artists - welcoming, attending, translating etc. Physically support to the Events - conference, workshop, exhibition etc. Digitally support the Artists Watching the performance, commenting, spreading the online information Digitally support the Events Attending as an audience, translating information etc. Accessibility – 217,918 ID/ 804,328 accesses/ 1,512,243 reach/ more than 100 countries Volunteering with digital tools for reinforcing the festival contents Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS

52. FITS 2020 Online Edition - Digital tool & Volunteer’s Action Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS

53. 28 th Sibiu International Theatre Festival - 2021 FITS Hybrid Edition Action: Digitally support the Events Attending as an audience for free event Translating information Sharing the performance/ event schedule Live talk event (Clubhouse/ Instagram etc...) Promoting online tickets Reward : Online performance access Free Pass Issues: Lack of time & skill for following the actions Need to develop as a program by team Not so many could join Feedback : Happy to be part of the festival Micro volunteer opportunity Volunteering with digital tools for promoting the festival contents Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS Online volunteering programme

54. 2021 Hybrid Edition https://www.youtube.com/user/FITSibiu Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS

55. Opportunity for volunteers’ action Action: Virtual Event shared by volunteers Purpose: Create a space for volunteers Share Your Story: episodes 1- 4 Interview with volunteers sharing their volunteer motivation and experiences Discover My City : episodes 1- 4 Presentation of the city made & presented by volunteers from their perspective Reward(?) : Meet other city’s volunteers Could be added something more? Issues: Not so many attended (20- 30 participants) EVCN: Virtual activities under COVID Virtual Volunteering YOUNGETEERS

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57. RIJEKA - June 2021 Coordination meeting

58. RESOURCES: LITERATURE USED Cravens, J. & Ellis, S., (2014). The Last Virtual Volunteering Guidebook. Energize, Inc. EC- DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. (2018). Developing digital youth work Ellis, S. & Cravens, J., (1999). The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook Socialgoodconnect.org. Virtual Volunteering vs. Face-to-Face Volunteering ( link , accessed 12.2021) Steinhorn, B., (2020). Building Back Better: Leveraging the Power of Volunteers The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, UK. Policy and Research. ( link , accessed 12.2021) Theguardian.com. Microvolunteering: what is it and why should you do it? ( link. accessed 12.2021) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). COVID-19 and Human Development: Assessing the Crisis, Envisioning the Recovery UNDP, (2020a). Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19. United Nations (Unified) Volunteering Platform. ( link . accessed 01.2022) VolunteerMatch. (2020). Virtual Volunteering. A Guide for Nonprofits Volunteer.org. Micro Volunteering - What is it and how to implement it? (accessed 12.2021) Wikipedia. Virtual volunteering. Micro-volunteering ( link. accessed 12.2021) Virtual Volunteering

59. RESOURCES Useful links and annexes Annex 1(XLS). Billings Montana State University. Virtual Volunteering Resource Collection (Last updated: 9/01/2020) Organizations Search tools Multimedia Reports, News and Analysis Software Sources Annex 2. Self-test: Are you Ready to Volunteer Virtually? (Ellis et al, 1999) Annex 3. Tips on Volunteering Virtually (Ellis et al, 1999) Virtual Volunteering

60. Do you have any questions? maria.vulcan2021 @gmail.com Timisoara 2021 - ECoC Association THANKS Virtual Volunteering

61. POLL / Discussion Virtual Volunteering Which of the following apply to your organisation? In the last year, we have… (select all that apply) Increased virtual opportunities Increased virtual trainings Changed policies and procedures Recruited / engaged new volunteers Put most volunteering in hold

62. POLL / Discussion Virtual Volunteering Prior to COVID-19, which strategy have you found to be most effective in nurturing a sense of community ? Volunteer roles that require teamwork Team leaders responsible for nurturing community Educational / training events Social events Social media

63. Fonts & colors used This presentation has been made using the following fonts: Open Sans ( https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Open+Sans ) Montserrat ( https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Montserrat?query=mon ) #8fcef9 #07105c # 5664e1 #fde571 #23295c #0e1da8 #ffb127 #1226db