Volunteer Connector Trainer Certification
The Utah Commission on Volunteers is now accepting applications for funding for the Volunteer Connector Trainer Certification. Five (5) Volunteer Connector Organizations (VCO’s) will be selected to receive the training in 2012. The goal of the training is to strengthen Volunteer Connector Organization’s (VCO’s) and increase their capacity to support not-for-profit organizations.
Upon completion of certification, VCO’s will have the necessary skills to: 1) to provide training and mentoring to not-for-profit managers on assessing volunteer needs and matching those needs with the strategic goals of the organization, 2) to train not-for-profit managers in how to develop relevant, competency-based volunteer roles and opportunities that attract and retain high caliber volunteers that address critical social needs in their communities, 3) to train not-for-profit managers on the use of the Volunteer Solutions web-based volunteer opportunities software system, and 4) to administer the mini-grants provided to not-for-profit organizations for national days of service projects.
Through this funding, VCO’s will receive volunteer management training which consists of the following modules:
- Planning and organizing your volunteer program.
- Policies and procedures for a volunteer program.
- Volunteer recruitment
- Matching potential volunteers to volunteer positions.
- Preparing volunteers through orientation and training.
- Supervisory responsibilities in support of volunteers.
- Evaluating volunteer performance.
- Retention and recognition.
- Measuring volunteer program effectiveness.
- Training and development for trainers.
Graduates of the UCOV Volunteer Connector Trainer Certification will also be eligible to receive a full tuition scholarship to the University of Utah Nonprofit Academy for Excellence.
Funding:
Each of the selected VCO’s will be awarded:
- $3,000 prior to December 31, 2011. This funding will be used to develop a regional training plan for the not-for-profit organizations in your community. This plan will include:
- List of potential not-for-profit organizations that would benefit from the training
- Number of training sessions not-for-profit organizations will receive (ten modules are included in the training).
- Number of training hours each not-for-profit organization will receive
- Cities, counties, regions covered by your organization
- Timeline on training
- Budget for the grant money
At the completion of your Volunteer Connector Trainer Certification, the organization will
then be expected to implement this plan as part of the second phase of funding they will
receive.
- $5,000 in 2012 for the purpose assisting the volunteer connector organizations in providing training to community not-for-profit organizations and in meeting all the training requirements/costs for the Volunteer Connector Trainer Certification, such as:
- Attendance and completion of all train-the-trainer classes (a total of 10 modules)
- Travel and associated costs in attending the training.
- Implementation of the submitted training program for your community not-for-profit organizations, including any needed materials.
- Costs associated with providing training to your community not-for-profit organizations.
- Martin Luther King and 9/11 Days of Service funding
- The selected five VCO’s will be required to participate in the 9/11 and MLK National Days of Service. The commission will provide $2500-3500 for each of these days to the VCO to organize and coordinate with not-for-profit organizations in their community on service projects.
Grant Requirements/Opportunities
- Each VCO receiving funding and training will be expected to:
- Have a minimum of one person attend and complete each session of the training (the Commission will allow up to two).
- Fulfill all class requirements.
- Attend the UCOV Conference on Service.
- Create and implement the training plan for your community not-for-profit organizations.
- Exhibit extensive outreach efforts to not-for-profit organizations in your community to participate in the training your VCO will provide. An addendum will be added to the MOU outlining specific numbers of not-for-profit organizations to complete the training in your area. This will be negotiated between the VCO Director and the UCOV Training Manager.
** Failure to meet all of the above requirements could result in the volunteer connector organization not receiving the grant money. **
Applicant Eligibility
Any volunteer connector organization, acting as a community volunteer connector center, that provides support, training and resources to local not-for-profit organizations in expanding their infrastructure and capacity to utilize volunteers.
Selection Criteria
All applications received from volunteer connector organizations that meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed by a selection committee. Awards will be reviewed for the following criteria:
- Applicants are willing to commit an individual(s) to completing all modules of the Volunteer Connector Trainer Certification.
- Applicants currently serve as a connector in their community and are willing to do the following:
- Help citizens connect to volunteer opportunities through community-based not-for-profit organizations.
- Provide training to volunteer leaders and nonprofit partners on a consistent basis.
- Give guidance and support to corporate partners on effective practices in employee volunteer engagement.
- Engage the community in National Days of Service.
- Connector organizations have the organizational capacity to manage federal funds.
- Connector organizations use the state website and post opportunities on Volunteer Solutions.
- Applicants provide evidence regarding the number of not-for-profit organizations that could be impacted by training in their community.
- Applicant submits a quality, comprehensive plan for ongoing training and support of community not-for-profit organizations.
- Connectors can identify and prioritize the needs in their community.
** In an effort to attain geographic diversity throughout the state, the Commission reserves the option of selecting an applicant for funding based on their geographic location.
Funding restrictions
Funding may not be used for fundraising or cash prizes. Political or religious proselytizing activities are also prohibited. Please note that this is a reimbursable grant. The VCO will be responsible for all costs and will be reimbursed when the final report and budget are submitted and approved.
Application Deadlines
- Applications are due September 22, 2011. They may be submitted online at volunteers.utah.gov. If you do not have access to the internet, please call Susan Hayward at 801-538-8744.
- Grant recipients will be announced by October 6, 2011. A conference call will be held for all recipients on October 10th at 10:00 am.
- Training proposals due by November 17, 2011
- Training schedules, locations, and trainers will be announced January 2, 2012.
Download Application