Community Action EPL: Boosting Volunteer Morale

Posted on: January 28, 2015 by Community Action Agencies

Community Action EPL: Boosting Volunteer Morale

For your clients in the Community Action Agency sector, employee and volunteer retention are very important. They have an important job to do, and with often limited resources of a nonprofit organization they will find themselves struggling if they consistently have to deal with a high employee turnover or volunteer turnover. In addition, it’s vital that they be financially protected from a Community Action EPL (Employment Practices Liability) claim should a former disgruntled employee or volunteer decide to make a claim of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, etc.

Could it be possible that focusing on boosting volunteer and employee morale will reduce the risk of facing such a claim? While there is no conclusive evidence on this matter, boosting volunteer morale will never hurt, and could possibly even improve productivity for your client’s nonprofit. So how exactly should your clients go about boosting volunteer morale?

Communicate. Oftentimes it may be easy to focus more time on employees and just assume that volunteers are getting the message from them. However, volunteers need to know what their job is, what changes have been made within the company, when they need to be there. One church ministry that often employs volunteers offers these suggestions for improving communication amongst volunteers: include them in team meetings, email blasts, and conference calls if relevant. Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and whatever other social media platforms the agency uses.

Connect. Volunteers often contribute their time because they want to be a part of a team contributing to a larger cause. If volunteers serve along, they are likely to eventually feel alone. Community Action Agencies should look to create ways for their volunteers to connect; even if it’s by hosting events and get-togethers outside the realm of their business.

Celebrate. If the work of an agency’s volunteers is making a difference, they should hear about it! Your clients will benefit from taking the time to look back at the contributions volunteers have made and celebrate them. Agencies could perhaps host an awards ceremony of some kind. Not only will this help volunteers feel appreciated, it creates a fun event for the company to look forward to.

These are just a few ways that Community Action Agencies could potentially boost volunteer morale. At Care Providers Insurance Services for Community Action Agencies, we understand your clients have significant exposure for employee –related lawsuits, and offer comprehensive Community Action EPL Insurance to financially protect them from such claims. For more information, please contact us today at (855) 652-6876.

Posted in: Community Action Agency Insurance Employment Practices Liability