Measuring the Impact of Volunteers: A Balanced and Strategic Approach

Measuring the Impact of Volunteers: A Balanced and Strategic Approach focuses on the long-accepted principle that simply counting “heads” and hours served does NOT give a full picture of the value of volunteer engagement in an organization. The authors adapt the concepts of the “balanced scorecard” performance measurement tool (developed by Kaplan and Norton in the 1990s) to the needs and challenges of volunteer resources management, creating a unique Volunteer Resources Balanced Scorecard (VRBSc). What results is a method for evaluating and planning a volunteer engagement strategy that aligns with the priorities and goals of the organization and the needs of its clients. As a planning tool, the VRBSc helps leaders of volunteers ensure that volunteer service is in sync with the overall goals of the organization. As an evaluation tool, the VRBSc allows decision makers to take an honest look at all aspects of volunteer involvement, balancing four different perspectives that, together, lead to success. Directors of volunteer resources can assess where volunteers are having the most impact and what they should be doing next. As a reporting tool, the VRBSc shows progress and achievements to stakeholders in concrete ways that are meaningful to them. Using illustrations, worksheets, and a comprehensive appendix including survey tools, this book takes readers step by step through the process of creating and using their own VRBSc. Readers will:

See how traditional measurement tools for volunteer engagement do not effectively demonstrate the value and extent of volunteer service

Follow the evolution of the balanced scorecard concept from businesses, to nonprofits, and now to volunteer resources

Develop their own Volunteer Resources Balanced Scorecard

Write meaningful reports that spark action from organization leaders

Too many nonprofits, government agencies, and community associations believe volunteer work is free labor. While volunteers are not paid for their services , organizing their involvement takes resources, time, and attention. For volunteer effort to be successful, all stakeholders, especially senior executives and board members, must be able to see how volunteer involvement furthers their organization’s mission and why they should allocate resources to the effort. The VRBSc allows organizations to create the right roles for volunteers, measure their success accurately, and report the work to senior leaders. No more feel-good but meaningless reports about how many volunteers served last year. The VRBSc shows exactly what volunteers are accomplishing and why.