Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator

Open Meadow Alternative Schools is looking to hire an experienced VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR to join the Development Team. This is a part-time (.8 FTE-32 hours/week) salaried exempt position reporting to the Development Director; START DATE: September 15, 2009 APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

Open Meadow Alternative Schools, a multi-cultural organization, seeks to hire a part-time Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator to coordinate volunteer opportunities within Open Meadow, including recruiting, training, supporting, supervising, and recognizing volunteers. The Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator will work closely with Program Directors to train staff in the effective use and support of volunteers. The Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator will develop strategies to engage more community members in our mission through satisfying volunteer work, deepen volunteer involvement, and increase volunteer retention. The Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator will identify opportunities to engage corporate volunteers and to cultivate volunteers as ambassadors and donors. The Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator will also serve as an ambassador for the organization, speaking to individuals and organizations who are interested in learning more about Open Meadow and/or getting involved in some way. This position reports to the Director of Development and will work as part of the Development Team (including the Director of Development and Development Associate). This position also works closely with the Executive Director, Associate Director, Program Directors and Development Intern. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, multi-tasker who is experienced in working in a fast paced environment, who is professional yet is compassionate about the mission and values of the organization and the students it serves.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Open Meadow operates with a philosophy that youth from diverse cultures and backgrounds learn best when they develop strong relationships with responsible, caring adults. The Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator will oversee volunteers who contribute to the development of human and financial resources necessary to engage, educate, and empower previously disconnected youth to reach their potential. It is expected that the Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator will extend and strengthen Open Meadow’s community ties through the effective cultivation of volunteer involvement with our programs and students.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES:

Volunteer Program Management: • Identify volunteer needs in the organization through discussions with current volunteers, students, program staff, and administration. • Develop/update volunteer job descriptions. • Review/update volunteer policies and procedures and volunteer systems including outreach and recruitment, formal and informal training, support and supervision, and recognition. • Maintain/update systems to provide training and support to program staff regarding the use and support of volunteers. • Conduct volunteer outreach and recruitment activities consistent with identified program needs. • Conduct formal volunteer trainings on a schedule consistent with volunteer and program needs. • Provide ongoing support, supervision, and evaluation of volunteers based on best practice standards and the needs of individual volunteers. • Seek regular feedback from volunteers, program staff, and students regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the volunteer program. Make changes as needed. • Conduct activities to recognize volunteers on an ongoing basis and at special occasions. • Create plans to engage and retain volunteers. Develop volunteer program goals, objectives, and reporting process, and prepare reports on the progress of the volunteer program. • Coordinate with other community volunteers programs as appropriate.

Community Outreach: • Conduct outreach activities designed to introduce community members to Open Meadow. • Develop closer links to corporations, taking advantage of current trends towards corporate volunteerism. • Develop recruitment methods for younger professionals who have potential to become future advocates and donors for Open Meadow. • In partnership with the Development Team participate in:  public relations and communications activities/materials;  oversight of website and blog;  developing/maintaining electronic newsletter and social media;  planning and execution of development events;  collection of volunteer-related data using Raiser’s Edge software; and  support for Board Development and Marketing Committee.

Special Events: • Assist with planning and execution of special events as needed, including student art show, High School graduation, Middle School promotion, and other events. • Recruit and manage volunteers to assist with special events.

General: • Actively participate as a member of the Development Team. • Complete and maintain appropriate paperwork. • Carry out other responsibilities as identified by the Director of Development.