How to Tell It’s Time to Switch Your Volunteer Management System
If you are working with a large group of volunteers, you need to have a good way to communicate with them and track their hours. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most convenient is working with a volunteer management system.
If you’re already working with volunteer management software, you may notice some features that are less than satisfactory. This can lead you to wonder, when is the right time to switch volunteer management systems?
Consider some of the following indications that you need a new volunteer application.
Hours Aren’t Being Tracked Accurately
Precise reporting and tracking are key to understanding funding and other aspects of your volunteer management. This includes volunteer hour-tracking and proper resource utilization, which in turn affects your organization’s success
Clunky Reporting
It is time to switch systems when you find that reports are inaccurate or difficult to generate. Your reporting should be shareable, comprehensive, and precise. If you struggle with sharing reports, building infographics, or collecting the right data, you may need to consider new volunteer management software.
When you have a centralized volunteer management system, your reporting, tracking, and data will be more accessible and easier to analyze.
Your System Doesn’t Help You Make the Most of Your Volunteers’ Skills
If your current volunteer app for management doesn’t match skills with the right projects, it isn’t the best match for your organization. You don’t want to have to manually keep track of each volunteer’s specific skill set.
Instead, you should have a volunteer management system that is capable of tracking everyone’s skills, such as operating a vehicle, working with children, or working with power tools, in one space. This is one of the most important considerations for an efficient volunteer app.
Group Sign-ups Aren’t Offered
If your volunteer management system doesn’t make it possible for group sign-ups, then you need to consider switching. The ability to offer a group sign-up for families or work groups can be vital to your project. Volunteers who participate with peers, colleagues, or family members tend to stay more engaged and do so longer. If your system lacks this feature, it is difficult to encourage participation as well.
Registration Systems and Communications Databases Should Communicate
There are many ways to manage email, but if your communications aren’t linked with email and volunteer management systems, it won’t be as effective as needed. This is a good sign it is time to switch to a different provider. Your data should automatically update, so you don’t have to input directly into CRM platforms.
It Doesn’t Provide Automation
You probably need to send different reminders and require different sets of volunteer forms and paperwork such as waivers. These need to be done in an automated manner to save you time. Automated waivers and reminders will help keep your volunteer teams on task and working well together.
Conclusion
If your volunteer application doesn’t have the above features, then you cannot take full advantage of volunteer management automation. Consider switching to a volunteer app that has greater functionality, so you can make the most of your volunteers’ time and your organization’s funding.