COMMENTARY:
Please, No More USA Volunteer-Matching Web Sites

by Jayne Cravens

Here is a phrase I think I could live the rest of my life without reading or hearing again:
"A new web site has been launched to match volunteers with non-profit organizations."
I think I've read or heard this phrase 20 times in the last 15 years.

If the phrase applied to a country other than the USA, maybe I would be impressed. If it served a country in Africa or the Middle East or South America, I would be QUITE impressed. But, unfortunately, new volunteer matching services keep being launched to serve the United States, and offer nothing new. The new sites of volunteer opportunities crowd a field of already-existing volunteer matching sites, most of which are underutilized by volunteer hosting organizations. I always wonder: did the people and organizations who keep launching these new USA volunteer matching sites ever look to see if, perhaps, others already exist?

Organizations that involve volunteers do not have the resources to use all, or even most, of these volunteer matching sites. They are going to choose one, maybe two, and they are usually going to stick with using only that one or those two sites, as they have invested much time in using such and are probably already well-served by such.

Please, no more volunteer matching sites for the USA. There are plenty. In fact, in my opinion, there are too many. If you insist on launching such a site, I offer this advice:

And this isn't even a comprehensive list! Plus, online social networking sites allow organizations to recruit volunteers as well.

  • Distinguish your service from what is already out there. Make it focused on a more narrow geographic area, or focused only on organizations with certain types of mission statements, or with features that the other services do not have.

  • Get agreements with a core-group of volunteer-involving organizations, committing them to use your newly-launched service. Their involvement will add credibility to your effort. Representatives from at least some of this core group should serve on your advisory committee for this volunteer matching service.

  • Don't try to create a database of volunteers available to help organizations, rather than a database of opportunities for people to sign up for, unless you can guarantee that the people in your volunteers database will update their information, particularly regarding their availability, at least monthly .

    Even better advice: why not pursue the development of an online resource the volunteer-involving sector really needs! For instance:

    And if you do launch any of the above activities -- or know of sites that already undertake these activities -- do let me know! Or talk about your ideas with my network.


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