Nonprofit Resource Library

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Energize, Inc. is an international training, consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism. Their website has its own resource library, devoted entirely to volunteer management. You would be hard-pressed to come up with a question about volunteers on which they don't have an article. There are hundreds.

Human Resources Management for Nonprofits

Human Resources Management

Hiring, firing, recruiting and managing nonprofit volunteers, and nonprofit staff evaluation. Also nonprofit employee documentation and human resources best practices.

9 practices that most large nonprofits adopt to recruit, train, and retain volunteers, to great success. Recommended practices include screening of potential volunteers and job descriptions for volunteers Written by Mark Hager and Jeffrey Brudney.

Source: Urban Institute | Published: 2004

This guide was put together by the Faith-Based and Community initiative of the department for Health and HumanServices. Detailed explanations of the systems required for successful engagement of volunteers in your organization. Very, very highly recommended. 60-page PDF.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services | Published: 2005

Short job descriptions for chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and committee chair on the board of trustees. By Carter McNamara.

Source: Free Management Library | Published: 2000

With education, civic sentiment, and experience, baby-boomers are the backbone of most volunteer programs. This article explains what organizations can do to keep their skilled boomer volunteers challenged and involved. From Jennifer Kalita.

Source: Jennifer Kalita | Published: 2008

Volunteers are energized by a sense of empowerment. Good volunteer programs allow volunteers enough autonomy to ensure that their skills are being fully tapped. This article explains the importance of building in "resistance" to your volunteer program, giving them enough leeway for independent thought and action. By Steve McCurley & Rick Lynch.

Source: Energize, Inc. | Published: 2005

This 6-page article explains the why and how of building a corporate volunteer program. Many corporations are looking to give back to the community to improve their image and harness community support. Volunteerism in the corporate world is on the rise, and can be a powerful resource for nonprofits.

Source: Points of Light Foundation | Published: 2008

This is a large document that lists all the "best practices" for nonprofits, including human resources management. Very cool.

Source: Whatcom Council of Nonprofits | Published: 2002

Here’s a sample employee handbook that can be adapted for personal use.

Source: Nat. Assoc. of Veteran’s Research and Education Foundations | Published: 2002

Some sample personnel policies for a nonprofit to use as a template. Covered areas include harassment policies, sick leave, and performance reviews. Also included are some sample evaluation forms for employees.

Source: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits | Published: 2008

Lack of proper employee documentation can transform disciplinary measures and firings from uncomfortable to nightmarish. This article discusses what should be documented, how to set up a three-strike disciplinary system, and the importance of "always writing it down." By Paul A. Munoz.

Source: HR Group, Inc. | Published: 2005

This is a concise HR resource prepared by an attorney, that highlights the importance of a written disciplinary policy, explains how to create a written discharge procedure, demonstrates how internal investigations should be run, discusses proper discplinary actions that avoid discrimination and retaliation claims, and tips on getting your employee job descriptions just right. By Anne H. Williams, a 20-page PDF. Highly recommended.

Source: M. Lee Smith Publishers | Published: 2002

Layoffs and furloughs are always thorny issues, perhaps especially so in nonprofits. This is a guide for planning your personnel policies for these inevitable occurances. By Pamela Fyfe.

Source: blueavocado.org | Published: 2009

Guide to a board’s role in nonprofit HR. The day-to-day operations of HR is often left to the staff, but the board does need to be involved in setting larger policies and occasionally maintaining compliance and integrity with those policies. Written by Jan Masaoka.

Source: blueavocado.org | Published: 2009

Nonprofits need a solid work force as much as their for-profit counterparts. This article explains the importance of recruiting, screening, hiring, and orienting new employees. It also discusses compensation issues.

Source: Inc. Magazine | Published: 2005