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UNICEF BC: Human resources skills drive volunteer strategies

 An insider reveals how UNICEF BC established a group of specialized volunteers dedicated to human resources needs – a first in Canada.

BY REBECCA BROEMELING

Decades before volunteering with the non-profit organization UNICEF BC, I associated the organization with that little orange box. Every Halloween, my sister and I carried one of those boxes around our necks to raise funds for children in need. Many years later, I learned more about the fund-raising activities of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), designed to develop a better life for children around the world.

Three and a half years ago, I was delighted to learn about an opportunity to volunteer on UNICEF BC’s human resources committee in Vancouver. I was intrigued that I had to attend an information session and be interviewed prior to selection as a volunteer; this was unlike any volunteer opportunity I had come across.

Volunteer services committee unique in Canada
I soon learned that even at a volunteer-driven organization, HR can have a strong impact on the strategic direction of a non-profit. UNICEF BC’s specialized group of volunteers, the volunteer service committee (previously know as the HR committee), is unique in Canada. British Columbia is the only province in which UNICEF established specialized volunteers dedicated to human resources needs. 

This volunteer services group, of which I’m a member, has served as a key strategic partner with UNICEF BC for 13 years. Due to its success in volunteer selection and recognition programs, UNICEF has now implemented a similar HR structure in other provinces.

In BC, regional director Shirley Kepper lobbied UNICEF head office for three years to gain national representation in volunteer services. She succeeded – now Kepper and her provincial counterparts have attained a greater presence in strategic planning. In fact, the organization created a new position, volunteer services manager, in October 2003, enabling HR to become a partner in head office.

This marks a dramatic change for UNICEF BC. When Kepper joined in 1990, the organization relied solely on word of mouth or mere chance to find volunteers. Anyone interested filled out an application, which went into a file, which lay untouched until a staff member had time to review applications. Back then, UNICEF BC had no dedicated staff person to recruit volunteers, let alone a dedicated committee of human resources professionals to assist.
Shirley identified this lack of HR structure and enlisted volunteers to help establish the foundation of volunteer services. Each year, she continues to challenge the volunteer services committee to acquire quality people to reach the goals set by national office. As a strategic partner, volunteer services includes in its HR plan the important areas of recruitment and selection, training, retention and recognition. The committee’s HR professionals apply their expertise to aid the success of UNICEF BC.

Recognition program and volunteer selection top priorities
Besides selecting volunteers, volunteer services has designed a multi-faceted recognition program. Before Kepper’s arrival, volunteers received recognition through only one national award: volunteer of the year. Since

Throughout the years, sourcing volunteers has grown as a key priority at the organization; after all, selection of volunteers and their related skills are the keys to success for a non-profit. Volunteer requirements have grown more specialized; for example, the education for development committee, which educates Canadian elementary and high school students about UNICEF’s programs, seeks retired teachers or professionals with solid experience in public speaking and volunteer work with children.

Today, if one surfs UNICEF BC’s Volunteer Vancouver’s Web site, one might see an advertisement for a sales clerk or photographer. Besides the traditional word-of-mouth approach, the volunteer services committee advertises for volunteers on employers’ Web sites, at recreation centres and Toastmasters, as well as the organization’s Granville Street storefront.
UNICEF BC looks for professionals with skills that can help the organization grow and expand; in turn, they offer training and networking opportunities. It also recruits new talent from local post-secondary institutions such as BC Institute of Technology, the University of BC and Simon Fraser University. These volunteers bring in new ideas and approaches to problem-solving.

Non-profit depends on skilled HR professionals
As a non-profit, UNICEF BC does not have the resources to pay for specialized services; therefore, they depend on skilled professionals willing to offer their expertise.  This helps UNICEF build a network within the community -- volunteers are the best ambassadors for this cause.

(Once a potential volunteer finds an avenue of interest, an interviewer from the volunteer services committee will conduct a behavioural interview. If there’s an appropriate fit, the interviewer will make a referral to the committee chair and a decision will be made.)

I recently enjoyed training six volunteers how to conduct interviews; I used my HR-related facilitating skills and interviewing experience. We have a lot of opportunities to take on different roles as our interests and expertise change. Our HR-honed, people skills get put to good use; I’ve worked in a kiosk selling greeting cards and volunteered at a Chinese New Year event.
UNICEF BC’s volunteer services committee has made a vital contribution to the organization’s success because we are selective in choosing volunteers. We look for volunteers who will add value to fundraising programs and for skilled professionals who will help UNICEF grow.

Today, when I think of UNICEF, I visualize children teaching less-fortunate kids, such as those who live in train stations in India, how to read. I am proud to work with this non-profit organization and with such a talented group of HR professionals.

Rebecca Broemeling is a personal banking associate at CIBC.
Contact: rebeccad@telus.net

Sidebar
Want to know more?
For additional information about UNICEF, visit www.unicef.ca. If you are interested in volunteering with UNICEF BC, contact Paula Tylor at 604-874-3666 for the next available information session.

Photo caption
Regional director Shirley Kepper, at UNICEF BC’s office in Vancouver, makes human resources procedures a high priority to attract top-quality volunteers.
Phot Heather Conn

Reprinted from PeopleTalk Magazine Winter 2003 (V6, N4)

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