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Molly Billette
Volunteer Coordinator
National Runaway Switchboard
3080 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60657
773.880.9860 x218
The National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) has utilized volunteers in a cost-effective service model since its inception
in 1974. NRS currently manages a program of more than 200 Chicago area volunteers, most of which serve as crisis line
volunteers answering calls from youth and families across the country. In 2004, crisis line volunteers answered sixty
percent of the calls to our twenty-four hour hotline!
NRS' volunteers are students, retired individuals, homemakers and professionals who range in age from 16-76+. In
order to maintain a diverse volunteer corps NRS has strengthened the volunteer program with many unique recruitment
strategies using a variety of marketing techniques. Whether a volunteer chooses to deal directly with youth and families
in need on the hotline, guide and direct on a committee level, or provide professional talents, there is a place for
everyone at NRS. Before becoming a crisis line volunteer an individual must follow a three step screening and training
process designed to fully prepare volunteers for what they may face on the crisis line. Crisis line volunteers are required
to make a 2-4 hour a week commitment for at least one year. However, NRS is fortunate that 25% of our volunteers
have actually been with NRS over two years and over 10% for three years!
This workshop will use a Power Point presentation to guide a discussion of the NRS volunteer program's success in
maintaining a corps of diverse, highly-trained volunteers through the use of comprehensive recruitment, management,
retention and recognition programs.
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
1. Learn key volunteer recruitment strategies using presentations, print media, the internet, and printed materials.
2. Take away tools for screening potential volunteers and assigning apt roles for each individual.
3. Identify volunteer management skills useful in retaining satisfied volunteers, monitoring quality assurance, and tracking volunteer program statistics.
4. Hear examples of successful recognition activities necessary in sustaining an engaged, productive volunteer corps.
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