Before I started blogging for VolunteerLocal, I started using VolunteerLocal. At first, I was working at a small nonprofit that occasionally hosted little volunteer opportunities. I used the free version of the platform, and it helped me manage my little signups simply. When I moved to a role at a University became responsible for events that necessitated hundreds of volunteers, I knew exactly which platform I wanted to use to protect my sanity and make signing up a breeze for the volunteers. (Any guesses?) That’s right: I created a new VolunteerLocal account and upgraded to a paid version of the platform that I continue to build into my annual budget at work.
The VolunteerLocal platform meets my (every-evolving) needs year after year, and it will meet yours if you:
Need an easy way for volunteers to sign up for specific shifts and jobs. Volunteers love not having to create a log-in with a password they will constantly forget. With VolunteerLocal, they can sign up using whatever e-mail address is most convenient for them, and they receive a confirmation message automatically. Volunteers (and volunteer managers) can see exactly how many spots are open for any given shift and job.
Need a dashboard to track your progress. Customize your VolunteerLocal login so you can get a quick snapshot of how many shifts remain open, how many are filled and how many unique and overall volunteers you have participating in your event. It even gives you a countdown of days until the event, if you want! This is a great motivator or nerve-calmer, depending on how recruitment is going.
Need to collect volunteer T-shirt sizes. No need to guess at sizes for volunteers and accidentally over-order a batch of XXLs. The ability to customize signup information eliminates the need to track down volunteers and individually request their size, mobile phone number, or any specialized info that you need, like whether they’re with a certain company or over the age of 13. You can build it all in, and keep it constant or change it up and make it unique for any event.
Need an easy way to communicate with volunteers. Paid VolunteerLocal accounts allow you to send mass messages through the platform to your whole volunteer team, or customize instructions and follow-up per job.
Need an easy way for volunteers to cancel their shifts. If you don’t want to deal with e-mails and voicemail excuses, you can allow volunteers to cancel or swap shifts. Or, if you’re like me, you can turn that function off. Social sharing is also an option, if you want your volunteers to be able to tweet out or post to Facebook about their shifts and help you with your marketing efforts.
Need a simple day-of sign in. You can easily export your volunteer lists and data as a spreadsheet. Again, you can so this en masse for the whole group, or export batches for specific job sign-ins. You can also use the platform to check in volunteers electronically on the Grow Plan.
Need a way to store your annual volunteer data. I like to archive my events in VolunteerLocal after they’ve happened, and then at the end of the year, I take them out of archive and collectively export the data to get a big picture of who has volunteered and how often/long. I’ll also pull a past event out of archive if I want to make volunteer staffing plans based on the previous year’s successes and challenges.
Need other people to be able to manage different events. With various paid VolunteerLocal accounts, you can have multiple administrators who can access only the events and information you give them permission to control. This is great if you’re working with student clubs and want to give access to student leaders, but only for the organizations they oversee.
Need an assistant. What volunteer coordinator wouldn’t like an assistant to help with busywork and data? VolunteerLocal is like a virtual assistant that can pull reports for you faster than you can grab yourself a cup of coffee. Plus, it never takes a vacation day!
Need to talk to a person if you’re stuck. VolunteerLocal has amazing customer service. They have been a phone call or e-mail away when I’ve had rare issues, and give me pointers on shortcuts and tricks that make using the platform even more fun.
Let them know why it matters.
Recruit volunteers who want to develop a specialized skill.
Institute a “Mike Rowe” award.
Name the job something creative.
Pitch in.
The holidays are a time to reflect on those things we take for granted during the year and remind ourselves of what is truly important. It can be busy for everyone, and trying to juggle the regular holiday mayhem while piling on volunteer work may sound a little daunting. But as we become overwhelmed with holiday shopping and family feasts, prioritizing giving back becomes even more important for your community – and for yourself. 
As the weather gets colder, it’s a reminder that not everyone have access to the necessities we often overlook as comforts, such as a warm coat, a hot meal, or gifts for the holiday. Volunteering your time to work at a soup kitchen, or organize a gift drive for a local youth shelter makes a huge difference for community members in need. 
Whatever type of community that you belong to, there are also likely festivals, nonprofit organizations, or charity races happening that raise money for a cause or offer an opportunity to bring everyone together. As members of a community, it is our responsibility to make sure those efforts are supported.
Be aware of fire tonight. Others are in the mood to play tricks, but you’re in need of a few good treats first. Surprise everyone by being more giving than usual. It would be a good time to practice that new recipe with your cauldron and share your new brew with others.
Your initial instinct to be secretive is a good one tonight. You don
You’re revved up and your temper is even shorter than usual. Find ways to let off some steam, like running through a cornfield and wielding your favorite chainsaw. Do your best to wait for the right moment – you’ll get a great reaction if you can be more thoughtful about your actions.
Halloween is just one of the many nights in the year when you get to make your transformation. With that in mind, take a back seat and let others stand out. Dig deep and pick your moments to shine. You’ll make a bigger impact if you aren’t howling about your own needs all night.
This a great night for you to try something new. Push your boundaries to help you develop a fuller understanding of the world. It’s important to build your intellectual fullness to balance out your lack of physical presence. You are often underestimated because of your appearance, but now is a good time to get everyone else
Don
The world doesn’t revolve around you – keep reminding yourself of that tonight. You will have more fun if you focus on your strengths instead of trying to please everyone. Your intentions will be misunderstood, so it’s best to focus on what you want regardless of others. Avoid any open flames. 
Nothing in life is perfect, no matter how hard you try to make everything go exactly the way you want. Step up and focus on your goals: creating the scariest monster you can. Don
Play to your strengths tonight by letting your easygoing nature attract people to you (and avoid any potent foods – especially garlic). Remain diplomatic and sociable, as it can only help you get invited into a few extra houses on this especially spooky night. 
Tonight is a good night to dwell in your resentful tendencies. Feel free to be compulsive and self indulgent. Don
You might be a little too much for everyone every other day of the year, but the 31st is the night to pull out of all the stops. Get your hair and make up done and let your smile shine like the full moon. Draw inspiration from your favorite scary clowns! 
It isn
Communication is Key
Be Realistic
Know Where to Go
Self Love is the Best Love
Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. The organization serves as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States.
