Volunteer Accreditation Award: Inspiring Us All
By Meghan Williams, Volunteer Coordinator and Administrative Assistant
Earlier this fall, Rachel’s Table received our official accreditation as a Service Enterprise Nonprofit from the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA). This accreditation award recognizes our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in strategic volunteer engagement. We started the accreditation process a few years ago in the middle of our transition from a program of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts to our own nonprofit entity, and we are grateful to now be receiving this recognition.
Working with the MSA and participating in the accreditation process while we were building Rachel’s Table as its own non-profit helped to focus the organization and clarify our mission. Jodi Falk (our Executive Director), Ellen Gold (then President of the Board), and Jay Levine (our Data and Grants Manager and Growing Gardens Technical Specialist) attended a series of workshops facilitated by MSA that guided us through reviewing how we manage and support volunteers. Upon completion of the coursework, we received coaching and completed a large project focused on creating and implementing solutions. As a result of this dedicated work, our volunteer onboarding process is more structured and runs smoothly for both new volunteers and Rachel’s Table staff. Volunteers have always been the base and strength of Rachel’s Table, and the accreditation process further highlighted just how important our volunteers are to our success.
What we learned:
- Recruitment techniques
- Management support systems
- Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition programs
What we changed:
- Added a volunteer onboarding system to all our programs, including developing our new Code of Conduct form. This onboarding system has helped volunteers to better understand what is expected of them and has also helped Rachel’s Table staff deepen our understanding of what expectations volunteers have of us. More clarity all around leads to a smoother experience for both volunteers and staff!
- Increased the ways in which volunteers can give to Rachel’s Table, recognizing their talents at all levels of the organization. For example, our stellar volunteer team led by volunteer Jon Lasko, supported our new refrigerated truck safety compliance and operations!
- BIGGEST TAKEAWAY: We hired our very first Volunteer Coordinator, Meghan Williams! Meghan has been implementing many of the ideas that came to life in this accreditation process. The need for a full-time volunteer coordinator was ever growing—in the past three months alone, we have had a nearly 20% increase in active volunteers at the organization, up to 460 volunteers as of the writing of this article, and adding more every week! It’s inspiring to have so many dedicated community members stepping up and rolling up their sleeves with us to do this important work.
Other Benefits:
- Because of this accreditation, we are now eligible for some priority grants, including hosting AmeriCorps and Commonwealth Corps members and a matching grant with Youth Careers Pathways Initiative.
- Monthly and quarterly professional development and training opportunities through non-profit networks across the state. Volunteer managers at local non-profits connect and share new ideas, initiatives, and support, as well as facilitated meetings with national consultants.
What hasn’t changed:
- Our amazing volunteers inspire us every day!
Thank you to our volunteer and staff team, and to our coaches Lisl Hacker, and Ian Whalen-Stone for helping make this happen!