Sustainability of MRCs

The Organization, the Membership, and the Leadership

Liisa Jackson MA Region 4A MRC Coordinator www.region4a-mrc.org

Introductions

Name Unit How long has the unit been active? How many volunteers? Why did you choose this session? Which of the three aspects of sustainability were you

envisioning? Organization, Leadership, & Membership

BE POSITIVE

Engaging volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resiliency……We do good stuff!

Keep it Fun!

Sustaining the Organization

5

What do you want to do?

• Identify your MRC’s Goals– Health Promotion– Preparedness – Response

• Develop a Strategic Plan– State your goals & how to get there

Who would be your stakeholders & partners?

• Identify your Stakeholders• Local Health Departments• Insurance Companies• Healthcare Agencies• Emergency Management

• Identify your Partners• Non – governmental agencies• Healthcare Agencies• Universities

Getting Buy-in

• Buy-in from your own housing organization• Building Administrative support

• Buy-in from your partner organizations• Work with Board of Health, LEPC, Police,

Fire to determine the needs of the community

• Structure the local MRC according to the needs of the community

Becoming Visible – Parade Floats, anyone?

• Assistance with Public Health initiatives - flu clinics, health education, screenings, etc.

• Supporting community events with a first aid station or cooling station- Christmas parade, marathons, Medieval Fair, etc.• Ensure level of volunteer training as requested by

local emergency personnel and MRC• Outreach at community events – exhibit at

conferences, table at county/town fairs

Becoming Vital – How could we do it without you?

• Assistance with Public Health initiatives• Flu clinics • Health education• Health screenings

• Participation in Preparedness Events • Sept. Preparedness Month events• Winter weather preparedness • Local community specific

Becoming Vital – How could we do it without you?

• Become a part of the Response Plan • Local health department• Emergency Management• MIPS/POD plans• Firefighter Rehab• Mental Health Response• Healthcare Agencies

• Acute Care• Long-term Care

Becoming Vital – How could we do it without you?

Track, calculate and communicate your contributions! Identify the economic value of volunteering ROI – return on investment

– The cost of replacing volunteer labor with paid staff– The cost of administrating the volunteer program

Identify the services provided by volunteers –What would be different in the community?

Finding FundingPrivate Funding• Partnerships

• In-Kind with Partners• Recognition of Partners

• Become a 501-C3 in order to receive donations/private funds

Public Funding • Health & Human Services Grants• Citizen Corps Grants• Capacity Building Awards

Sustaining the Leadership

Developing Leadership

Develop your own volunteer management skills• Go to a workshop• Find trainings • Understand the principles of working with

volunteers• Consider working towards a CVA (Certification in

Volunteer Administration)

Develop Volunteer Leadership

Form an Executive Committee that is responsible for the basic operation of the MRC • Communicate with members re: training, other

MRC opportunities • Ensure continual volunteer recruitment and

sustainment• Develop your Standard Operating

Procedures

Develop Volunteer Leadership

Executive Committee• Solicit Board Members at Orientation

• Individuals who wish to chart the course, work as a team and enjoy community activity

• Meet with them until they are comfortable being independent• Liaisons from Board of Health/Department of Health and other

organizations will always be a resource

• Suggestions• Term limits

• Lets the volunteer know it is not forever• Lets you move volunteers that are not a good fit

Develop Volunteer Leadership

Tiered Training • Identifies top performers• Track the training• Gives the volunteer goals & achievements• Recognition• Identifies potential trainers

− CPR Instructors

Sustaining the Membership

Engaging Volunteers

Understanding goals• Explain the mission so volunteers know what they are

aiming for

Clear expectations• Clearly state the positions available• Describe the services you offer• Explain protections for the volunteer – liability, insurance• Be honest about the application & screening process

Engaging Volunteers

Passion – Enthusiasm – Buy-in• Sell success. People are drawn to success• We do good stuff – embrace it!

• Be enthusiastic about the opportunities

Measuring the impact• Volunteering builds a better society• Volunteering benefits the volunteer

Engaging Volunteers

Identify roles – Develop Position Descriptions Let the volunteer select the role Like a candy bowl –

− Pre-packaged− “Which one would you like?”

Communication “Talk to me, People!”

Communication with volunteers• Newsletters, e-letters, webpage• Social Media• Communication of training, setting up of customized

workshops• Frequent email updates• Ongoing Recruitment

• Perhaps conducted/orchestrated by the EC!

Training

Training MRC members want and need to be competent to

carry out their responsibilities Keeps volunteers engaged Self fulfillment through an expanding body of

knowledge and skills

Training

Tiered Training Helps you recognize potential leaders Engages those who want more than the minimum Meets the needs of the organization, community and

the volunteer

Other ideas?

Questions?

BE POSITIVE!