The 2015 Civic Innovation Institute

Presents:

In The Beginning:
Volunteer/Intern
Orientation and Training
Mike Gess and Mary Beth Tignor

ACCL Overview
Appalachian Center for Civic Life (ACCL)

Programs
Campus Service Programs
Bonner Scholars Program
Civic Innovation major
Service Learning Courses
AmeriCorps

Who Hosts Orientations?

Examples of Good Orientation Experiences
Businesses
Emory & Henry College
Bonner Scholars Program

Why is Orientation
Important?
For the Student
Feel welcome
Connects the student to the organizations
mission
Why is the student needed?
Understanding expectations
Answers Questions

Why is Orientation
Important?
For the Organization
Defines Purpose (Organizations mission)
Sets Volunteer Expectations
Developing Relationships
Potential for New Employees

What to include in
orientation?
Organizations Mission
What we do here
Example of who/how we help (client perspective)
Students Role
Explanation of Duties
Connection to mission

Tour
Staff/ other volunteer introductions

Organization expectations
HR type details (paperwork)
Q&A time

Orientation Details
When?
Before meeting the student
How much lead time is needed? For you and the
student?
If possible, let the student know youre excited that
theyre coming and expecting them.

Student Examples

Length?
Level of service = length of orientation

Variables in Orientation
Design
One day Events

(Ex. Service Plunge, Greek Day of Service, Bonner

Orientation)

Long term Placements

Bonner
Service-Learning Class
Internship
Handout (volunteer handbook) and/or face-to-

face

Organization Expectations
Interview or Resume?
Dress Code
Communication
Supervisor

Signing hours, attendance ,questions

With student and professor, Bonner coordinator,

etc.

Position Description

Student Expectations
Communication
Hours or Project?
Hours signed/contract?
Setting a schedule
Regular meetings/conversation space?

HR type details
Volunteer Paperwork
Waivers
Students on official college activity covered by
E&H insurance
Discipline
General/College & Student aspects

Dos and Donts

Dos
Safety (Risk Management Plan)
Give the student many opportunities to ask
questions
Check in with students after orientation and
training
Donts
Dont rush to start service work (build-in time
for orientation)
Dont assume that all students/volunteers are
the same

Example Long-Term
Placement Orientation
Beginning your service at the Appalachian

Center for Civic Life (ACCL) Bonner Scholars

Program
Pretend that you are the student in this

example and all you knew was where and when

to be here and who you would report to for
orientation

Create/Share Your Own Orientation

Does anyone have an example that they want

to share?
Details in their orientation that we didnt

include in ours

Q&A