Volunteerism. Volunteerism is at the very heart of the Mpowerment Project.
The Project can only succeed if numerous young men volunteer their time and talents to its day-to-day
operations.
Not only do volunteers do most of the work that keeps the Project running, but they also become powerful agents of change in their diverse communities. A relatively small staff can accomplish a tremendous amount by effectively mobilizing a large, diverse, and dynamic volunteer base.
Encourage M-group attendance. Encouraging every volunteer to attend an M-group is a
very important and useful training and orientation strategy.
Supervising volunteers All staff members should understand that empowering volunteers and maintaining the volunteers’ morale is a critical part of their job. It is important to check in frequently with volunteers to make certain they don’t feel overwhelmed with whatever they are doing. It is also important that volunteers are assisted to critically analyze and reflect upon their work and upon the role the Project has in the young gay/bisexual men’s community. This kind of reflection and analysis is important in all parts of the Project. We recommend that Coordinators meet periodically with individual volunteers to discuss how their experience is going and whether they would like to continue or change their current activities.
Support for condoms, safer sex and testing. A part of the experience volunteering with the Mpowerment Project includes supporting each other as young gay/bisexual men who are part of a community where safer sex is the norm.
Support to avoid burnout. All organizations that use volunteers have to deal with the problem of burnout.
The solution is to prevent it by putting into place measures that address volunteer needs. Whenever possible, structure the volunteer work so it can be done in a social and fun way. Outreach activities are what draw many young men to the Project, and meeting social needs is one of the Project’s Guiding Principles. Furthermore, when the work environment is enjoyable and involves multiple volunteers, this makes it easier for the volunteers to make new friends, which in turn helps to create community.
RELATED: Looking for ways to recruit volunteers for your Core Group?
1 super simple way to recruit new participants
RELATED: How to mobilize a successful Core Group with few resources via The Mu Crew Mpowerment Dayton OH
Reach out to us.
Read more in Module 5 Core Group and other Volunteers. It is a free download when you register at Mpowerment.org. Both the Core Group and the non-Core Group volunteers are essential Core Elements of the Mpowerment Project.
Not only do volunteers do most of the work that keeps the Project running, but they also become powerful agents of change in their diverse communities. A relatively small staff can accomplish a tremendous amount by effectively mobilizing a large, diverse, and dynamic volunteer base.
 |
| Mpowerment YVR | Vancouver BC |
Volunteers report that they
are more willing to
participate
in areas which
seem more relevant
to
their daily lives and in
which
they have greater
expertise.
It is helpful for the Coordinators
to attend to the following areas on an ongoing basis:
- Encouraging and valuing the contributions of volunteers
- Making certain that volunteers receive careful training and supervision
- Coordinating the effective use of volunteers
- Ensuring that volunteers remain motivated, happy, and productive
- Ensuring that volunteers reflect the diversity of young gay/ bisexual men in the community
Through the group,
volunteers gain a shared experience of the Project philosophy and activities, and they also learn more about their role to build a supportive,
health-promoting community. This will help them to be
more effective when they interact with Project participants
while performing their volunteer tasks.
 |
| SOMOS | Mpowerment Wilton Manors FL |
Supervising volunteers All staff members should understand that empowering volunteers and maintaining the volunteers’ morale is a critical part of their job. It is important to check in frequently with volunteers to make certain they don’t feel overwhelmed with whatever they are doing. It is also important that volunteers are assisted to critically analyze and reflect upon their work and upon the role the Project has in the young gay/bisexual men’s community. This kind of reflection and analysis is important in all parts of the Project. We recommend that Coordinators meet periodically with individual volunteers to discuss how their experience is going and whether they would like to continue or change their current activities.
Support for condoms, safer sex and testing. A part of the experience volunteering with the Mpowerment Project includes supporting each other as young gay/bisexual men who are part of a community where safer sex is the norm.
 |
| The Q Austin | Mpowerment TX |
A part of the
experience
volunteering
with
the Mpowerment
Project
includes
supporting each
other
as young
gay/bisexual men
who
are part of a community
where safer sex
is the norm.
Support to avoid burnout. All organizations that use volunteers have to deal with the problem of burnout.
The solution is to prevent it by putting into place measures that address volunteer needs. Whenever possible, structure the volunteer work so it can be done in a social and fun way. Outreach activities are what draw many young men to the Project, and meeting social needs is one of the Project’s Guiding Principles. Furthermore, when the work environment is enjoyable and involves multiple volunteers, this makes it easier for the volunteers to make new friends, which in turn helps to create community.
- Solicit ideas from volunteers on ways to support their participation, and implement those that can easily be put into place. You could do this by asking, “What would make you feel appreciated for your efforts?”
- Provide debriefing time after outreach events.
- Use pairs or teams of outreach volunteers, rather than having volunteers work alone.
- Hold monthly support meetings for volunteers, and create a relaxing and fun social environment for them.
- Offer volunteers a variety of tasks so they don’t feel that they have to do the same activities all the time.
- Remember that it is preferable for paid staff to do the “grunt work” rather than having volunteers always doing the boring work and paid staff doing the most creative and fun tasks.
- Give away movie passes and/or gift certificates. These can sometimes be obtained at a reduced cost or free-of-charge from local businesses.
- Share whatever positive feedback you receive about the Project with the volunteers.
 |
| Haven Mpowerment Project | Springfield MO |
RELATED: Looking for ways to recruit volunteers for your Core Group?
1 super simple way to recruit new participants
RELATED: How to mobilize a successful Core Group with few resources via The Mu Crew Mpowerment Dayton OH
RELATED: 12+ Icebreakers to start Core Group or other meetings
Reach out to us.
 |
| Follow these Mpowerment Projects |
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