Volunteer Management

Volunteer Onboarding and Credentialing

Every volunteer should go through a standardized process:

  • Application and skills assessment
  • Role assignment (Team Leader or Team Member)
  • Issuance of ID/badging (if applicable)
  • Easily Identifiable Markers (e.g., t-shirts, hats)

Volunteers should be classified as:

  • Active (deployable)
  • Inactive (needs refresher)
  • New (in training)
  • Key principle: Only trained and credentialed volunteers are deployable.

Training and Qualification Management

Maintain a system (spreadsheet or database) that tracks the following (e.g., Mission Edge):

  • Required courses (radiation basics, ICS, safety)
  • Hands-on competencies (instrument use, CRC roles)
  • Exercise participation
  • Expiration/renewal dates

Communication and Engagement

Consistent communication keeps the program alive:

  • Quarterly updates or newsletters
  • Training announcements and reminders
  • Real-world incident updates (to reinforce relevance)
  • Clear instructions on how activation works
  • Use multiple channels: email, text alerts, and possibly a volunteer platform.

Scheduling and Participation

  • Offer multiple training sessions (flexibility matters)
  • Track attendance at trainings and exercises
  • Set minimum participation standards (e.g., 1 training + 1 exercise/year)
  • Keep expectations reasonable. Avoid overburdening. (Volunteers disengage quickly if demands feel excessive.)