Navigating Difficult Conversations With Volunteers Its easier than

Turn and talk • Think about the benefits of having volunteers • Think about

Accountability: a Tale of Two (or more) Parties Agency Accountability • Volunteers are held

What are your options when a volunteer does not adhere to your norms? So…what

Let’s plan… • 1) Find out what your agency’s policies are • 2) If

Brainstorm • What are some important policies for your site? This can be based

All of your policies should protect your students, volunteers and program from the following:

Steps for success • Have a written agreement with all volunteers • Observe volunteers

That pesky conversation… • • • Make sure you have backup! Stick to the

Pick a scenario with a partner and plan what you would say… Let’s practice…

Thank you!! Exit ticket—think of one action you plan on doing as a result

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Navigating Difficult Conversations With Volunteers It’s easier than you think!

Turn and talk • Think about the benefits of having volunteers • Think about the costs of having volunteers • Write on post-it’s a couple of each https: //carrolpqplearning. wordpress. com/2016/03/10/weighing-cost-vsbenefit-and-the-journey-to-composure/

Accountability: a Tale of Two (or more) Parties Agency Accountability • Volunteers are held accountable by agency norms • They should respect and adhere to agency guidelines on conduct Classroom and Staff accountability • Volunteers are accountable to the students, staff and classroom events • They should respect program norms and the student environment.

What are your options when a volunteer does not adhere to your norms? So…what if they don’t? a) b) c) d) e) Run Yell Hide Let it go Plan http: //www. dan-abrams. com/dan-abrams-web-properties-june-18 -2013/scared-face/

Let’s plan… • 1) Find out what your agency’s policies are • 2) If there aren’t any, create some! • 3) Get someone else from your agency to help you finalize and approve the policies.

Brainstorm • What are some important policies for your site? This can be based on previous experiences or known issues within the site… …Don’t be nervous to explicitly BAN something that a volunteer is currently doing. That’s how policies are made!

All of your policies should protect your students, volunteers and program from the following: • Power dynamic mismatches • Accidents and liability issues • Theft, damage to personal property • Misunderstandings, miscommunication, and cultural/social fallout

Steps for success • Have a written agreement with all volunteers • Observe volunteers • Give honest feedback and a chance to course-correct • Observe again! Either the problem is fixed, or they’re out!

That pesky conversation… • • • Make sure you have backup! Stick to the facts Repeat the facts Give options If possible, leave the door open for future or varied opportunities

Pick a scenario with a partner and plan what you would say… Let’s practice…

Thank you!! Exit ticket—think of one action you plan on doing as a result of this session.