Communicating the Value of Your Volunteer Program

Can you define the value of your volunteer program?  The volunteer community has long debated the practice of assigning a dollar value to volunteer time and having that number define the success or failure of a program.  We believe that it is critical to be able to communicate the dollars your volunteer program saves as well as the impact volunteers have on your organization, clients and community.  In  this session, we will discuss the value of your volunteer program (both monetary and intangible)  and how you can communicate that effectively to your many stakeholders. 

Nonprofits are able to provide programs and services largely because of the unpaid efforts of volunteers who sit on boards of directors and committees, and who provide direct program services. The non-financial contributions of these volunteers are not captured on traditional financial statements so this session will demonstrate the use of value-added statements to show how volunteers are a necessary resource.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will know and understand:
• Various tools to calculate the monetary value of your volunteer program
• Information needed to create a value added statement
• How this information demonstrates the value that volunteer programs add to the community

Presenters
Kristin Rortvedt serves as the Community Liaison for PNM Resources.  She leads the company's volunteerism efforts through company-sponsored activities and develops community engagement opportunities for employees in a two-state service area.  She administers grants to nonprofits and educators through the nonprofit PNM Resources Foundation.  Currently, Kristin is part of the Corporate Volunteer Council, a board member for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and an advisory board member for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Robert Nelson with the Metropolitan Homelessness Project.  He manages all the shelters grants and administers human resources.  Robert is involved with Albuquerque Heading Home, helping to coordinate the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.  He serves on two boards, the local Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) chapter and is the Vice President for New Mexico Solar Energy Association (NMSEA).

Peggy Sanchez Mills is the Chief Executive Office of the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails.  Girl Scouts describe themselves as a girl-driven and volunteer-led organization.  Peggy holds a Master in Public Adminsitration degree from Golden Gate University and an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida.  She has received Distinguished Alumni awards from each of these institutions.  Peggy has been a strong advocate for programs and public policy promoting the interests of girls and women throughout her 30 year career.  She has been honored with many awards including being named one of the Top 80 Hispanic Business Women of the Year by Hispanic Business Magazine.