As your start the new year, it is a good time to step back and take a look at how well you are managing your volunteer literacy program.
Here is a checklist of things to consider:
1. How effective is your initial and ongoing tutor training? What works and what needs improving? What is one change you can easily make to improve the program?
2. After matching, are you spending enough time with tutors and students to ensure all is going well? For example:
Do you have regular contact with matched pairs to see how things are going? Do you have volunteers (former tutors, students, teachers, etc.) calling, emailing or texting each tutor and each student to check in. Students calling students is a good way for students to give back and to really find out how instruction is working?
3. Are you using administrative volunteers? This job is good for those who can't give weekly but can come in a day a month or two or three days every quarter in between their travels.
4. Are your forms up to date? Have you reviewed your program's policies within the last two or three years to see if they are still effective?
5. Are you adding new technologies to your program that will benefit students? Do you have a couple of volunteers who are taking the lead on this? Do you do targeted advertising to find volunteers with specific skills needed in your program?
The
Citrus County Public Library is one of our many Florida libraries that provide direct instruction. Take a look at their web page to learn more. They have a
handout to help tutors get started. If you program has something similar, please share examples with us. Email the link or the handout to
valflorida@hotmail.com.
VALF provides a program management workshop for members. Email
valforida@hotmail.com if you would like to host a workshop in your area.
Happy New Year to all ....
From the VALF Board... Thanks for all you do...
