Examining Volunteering at PAEA
The work of volunteers at PAEA is critical to the success of the organization. Without the dedication of our roughly 500 volunteers, PAEA would not be able to achieve the high level of success that it is known for.
An expanding, evolving PA profession requires new ways to make the most of the talent, time, and energy our volunteers give. To help shape the future of volunteering at PAEA, we recently set up a workgroup to identify core components of a volunteer program within the association.
Made up of PAEA staff and members of the Mission Advancement Commission, the work group is drawing on PAEA member research, focus groups, and volunteer programs at other organizations to re-envision the relationship of a volunteer to PAEA as a lifecycle. The lifecycle has several unique stages, including needs, analysis, recruiting, screening, placement, orientation, training, supervision, recognition, retention, and evaluation. Organizing volunteer service into these phases will allow PAEA to enhance its volunteer experience across the entire organization.
In addition, the group found that interest in volunteering varies by time in PA education and by profession and/or program role. Their research also indicated a need for new PAEA volunteer opportunities focusing on the value of service to PA education, other new types of volunteer opportunities, and variable durations of volunteer commitment.
Plans are already underway to enhance the volunteer experience at PAEA. This includes creating additional opportunities for service, establishing a formal recognition program, creating more consistency in the onboarding process, and ensuring our volunteer structures have the clarity and support needed to be successful.
In the coming months, PAEA will launch a volunteer experience survey to collect additional insights and data that will help us refine, expand, and enhance the volunteer experience and lifecycle at PAEA.
