Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

122 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations

from the organization (Murray & Harrison, 2005). Murray and Harrison

describe four types of volunteering:

1. The volunteer manager uses information and communication tech-
   nology to recruit volunteers, and the volunteers perform the work
   virtually.


2. The volunteer manager and the volunteer are matched through tradi-
   tional methods, but the work is performed virtually.


3. The volunteer manager and the volunteer are matched through virtual
   methods, but the work is performed in a traditional manner.


4. Recruiting volunteers, seeking volunteer opportunities, and per-
   forming volunteer work do not use information and communication
   technologies.

Internet volunteering is a way to fit volunteering into busy and

sometimes unpredictable schedules. Virtual volunteering has been used

to conduct research on the Web, track relevant legislation, give specialist

advice, design a Web site or newsletter, create databases, provide transla-

tion, and provide telephone or e - mail mentoring.

iMentor is a nonprofi t organization that encourages volunteers to

exchange e - mail with New York high school students. Volunteers and

students exchange e - mail messages several times a week on topics such

as career development and college applications. Best Buddies, a Miami

nonprofi t, matches online volunteers with people with mental retardation.

Volunteers make a one - year commitment to exchange e - mail messages

at least once a week with their e - Buddies. The exchanges encourage

participants to develop computer skills and help to ease some of the social

isolation they might be experiencing (Wallace, 2001).

The Prerecruitment Process

Before recruitment begins, it is important to identify the types of volun-

teers needed or the specifi c skills required. Some agencies might need vol-

unteers to perform clerical or receptionist duties, which require generic

skills, while others may need volunteers capable of coaching an athletic

team or writing grant proposals, which require specifi c skills. Some agen-

cies may need a combination of specialized volunteers and volunteers who

can be trained to provide support services to paid staff. Still others want

volunteers who are qualifi ed to serve by specifi c education or experience,

such as city planning commissions that want to use volunteers to develop