Frequently Asked Questions for Nonprofits
Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions we hear from agencies. They include some general questions about VCRI's services, as well as questions pertaining specifically to use of the VCRI web site. For any questions not answered in the following FAQ, call VCRI at (401) 421-6547, 1-800-VOLUNTEER, or email us at
info@vcri.org. If you represent a volunteer,
visit the Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions page.
Who can post volunteer opportunities on this website?Is it free or not?
Nonprofits that qualify as a 501(c) 3 organization under the IRS tax code can post their volunteer needs on this database. Governmental agencies and proprietary health agencies may also post their volunteer needs.Each organization must REGISTER on the website before they can post their volunteer opportunities.
The use of this website is FREE and information is entered and maintained by each individual agency.VCRI makes the volunteer opportunities easily available to the community, but does NOT know about or manage all these programs. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact VCRI at (401) 421-6547 and ask for the Program Director.
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What are some of the features of your on-line matching system that make it worthwhile for my agency to post with you?Helpful features of our online matching system include:
Set up your own password, making it easier for you to remember.
Manage emails you get from volunteers thru the VCRI website and log hours for these volunteers.
Use the special Board recruitment section to interest new Board members in your agency.
Automatic suggestions from the system as you are entering your volunteer opportunities to improve your chances of recruiting the RIGHT volunteers.
Directions to your agency and a map are automatically connected to your Agency Profile and Volunteer Opportunities.
Volunteers can add a Reflection to your agency about their experiences at your agency.
Agencies have a statistical page that includes: # of Volunteers who have viewed your information on a month by month breakdown.
When your listings were created and when they will expire if not updated.
Volunteers who create Volunteer Profiles can sign up for automatic emails from our system that will notify them of your new opportunities at their request – weekly, monthly or quarterly.
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Make sure you have “cookies” enabled on your browser. Go to Agency Login. Click on “need help logging in?” Scroll down to the cookies area and click on “test your browser.” This will let you know if you have cookies enabled or not. If you do not have cookies, you need to follow the instructions to have them set up on your browser.“Cookies” are used to match your agency to your password so that you can get back into your agency listing.
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What if I forget the question I use to login and/or forget my password?
You can use the help feature under
Agency Login. Click on “I forgot my password” to have your password automatically emailed to you. Call VCRI at (401) 421-6547 or email
info@vcri.org, if your password goes to someone no longer at your agency and you need your password reset.
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Login to the VCRI website. Click on “Add a new opportunity.” Fill in the information requested as completely as possible. The opportunity will go to VCRI to be approved before it is active on the website.
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What if I want to change my opportunity from one-time to ongoing or vice versa?
Login to the VCRI website. You can go into the opportunity and edit it from one-time to ongoing. Make sure if you change the opportunity from on-going to one-time opportunity that you also put dates and times in for that opportunity, so that it will get put onto the “Volunteer Calendar.”
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How do I make my volunteer opportunity sound more appealing?
Suggestions are automatically given to you as you create a new opportunity or update a current opportunity, so you can follow the suggestions.Add as much positive and fun wording as you can, so that volunteers can see that volunteering at your agency will be a good time.Volunteers want to know as many specific details as they can before they consider making a volunteer commitment.
Make it easy for people to screen themselves out of your opportunity, if they are not appropriate for it.This will save you time and get you to the RIGHT volunteer quicker! For example, if you need a volunteer with knowledge of a certain software program, be sure to state that in your volunteer opportunity so that people know of this requirement up front.Also, if volunteers are restricted to certain days of the week to volunteer for a specific opportunity, state that restriction up front too.On the flip side, if you are flexible on when a volunteer opportunity is completed or if it can be done from home, there are many volunteers looking for flexible or internet/volunteer at home opportunities!!
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How do I get my volunteer opportunities listed in VCRI’s newspaper columns?
To be listed in the Providence Sunday Journal Column, you must be a VCRI member agency. Member agencies are allotted two listings per calendar year in the Providence Sunday Journal Column. You do not have to be a member agency to be listed in other columns. Anytime that you add a new opportunity or update an existing opportunity, we will assume that you would like to have that opportunity listed in the Providence Sunday Journal and any other appropriate columns. If you do not want an opportunity that you are adding or updating listed in any of our columns, please email or call VCRI to let us know that as soon as you finish updating or adding the opportunity. If you would like one of your opportunities that is already in the database and updated to be listed in the columns, email Lynne Harper at lharper@vcri.org, or call 421-6547 x106.
Read our 2006 Agency Publicity Print Media Fact Sheet to learn more about all the newspapers we work with and their respective deadlines. We request that you post and update your opportunities 3-6 weeks before the ideal time for them to be highlighted in our newspaper columns.
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How do I become a member agency of VCRI? How will volunteers know that we are a member agency? Please visit the Member Benefits page for a description of member agency benefits and information on how to join. Membership must be renewed annually. Volunteers will know that you are a member agency because a “Heart Icon” will appear next to your agency name and opportunities. They can also click on the “Heart Icon” to learn what it means.
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What if we have a volunteer who does not fit our volunteer needs?
Send them back to www.vcri.org to do another “Opportunity Search” to find something more appropriate for them.There are usually over 800 volunteer opportunities posted on the VCRI website and they will “thank you” for directing them to a resource where they can find a volunteer opportunity that fits what they are looking to do.
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How is VCRI funded?
Funding for our agency comes from a variety of sources, including foundations, government agencies and contracts, and private donations.We are a 501(c )(3) nonprofit and use our own volunteers extensively to provide services and to support our agency.
Please visit AuctionPay to donate to VCRI.
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What are our rights and responsibilities as an agency, regarding volunteers?
Rights: | Responsibilities: |
- Expect Support for the Agency and its Personnel
- Screen or Redirect Volunteers
- Request References
- Require Volunteers to Attend Training
- Expect Volunteers to be Responsible
- Reassign Volunteers
- Receive Notice of Leaving
| - Interview for the Best Placement
- Provide a Written Position Description
- Include Volunteers as Team-Mates
- Inform of Special Events
- Provide Supervision
- Seek and Respect Volunteer Contributions
- Conduct an Exit Interview
- Consider for Leadership
|
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