At Volunteero, we understand that introducing new technology can be daunting, especially for some older or more tech-reluctant volunteers. However, with the right approach, you can make the transition smooth and empowering for everyone. Below are actionable tips to help your volunteers feel confident using the Volunteero app to manage their activities.
1. Introduce Volunteero
Start with making sure that you communicate with your volunteers that your organisation is introducing Volunteero. Start off by explaining why you’re making the move and how it’ll benefit staff and volunteer users. When discussing with tech-reluctant volunteers it’s important to emphasise the ease of use and accessibility of the app.
Blogs and resources: Read our blog for tips on launching Volunteero
Email Template: Use our email template as a starting point.
Human Connection: Volunteero is here to enhance volunteering so that more time can be spent on genuine human interaction with organisations.
Existing Success stories: Visit our website to read succes stories such as The British Motor museum who engaged tech reluctant volunteers.
2. Create a warm welcome
Once you switch on the app access for your volunteers it’s important to create a warm welcome. A well-designed onboarding experience can significantly boost confidence:
Organise Interactive Training Sessions: Hands-on practice helps build familiarity and confidence.
Leverage Existing Resources: step-by-step guides with screenshots or videos to walk them through key features.
Share Volunteero’s Help Centre: articles like those in the Volunteer App collection, for additional support.
Use Visual Aids: Create your step-by-step guides with screenshots or videos to walk them through key features. Free software such as canva or loom can be really useful.
3. Start with the Basics
Not everyone is comfortable with technology, so it’s important to start at the very beginning:
Simplify Their Experience: Test your set up before going live and make sure all descriptions are clear and concise.
Provide Simple Explanations: Avoid jargon and what Volunteero is in straightforward terms.
How to access Volunteero: Help volunteers to download the app, or access the web browser version, usually this is the hardest part of Volunteero.
Share resources: Remind volunteers how they can refresh themselves on using the app whilst you’re getting started.
Offer One-on-One Guidance: Personalised assistance can make a world of difference for volunteers who may feel overwhelmed in group settings.
Offer Flexible Training Options: Cater to different learning styles by providing written guides, videos, and in-person sessions.
4. Highlight the Benefits
To overcome reluctance, it’s essential to show how the app can make their volunteering experience more enjoyable and efficient:
Streamlined Communication: Highlight how easy it is to stay updated on tasks and events with Volunteero’s chat feature. The extra benefit here is that their details aren’t shared in Volunteero’s chat unlike other messaging platforms.
Time-Saving Features: Demonstrate how the app simplifies managing their activities, volunteers can claim and leave tasks without back and fourth with their volunteer manager.
Reporting back: Volunteero allows volunteers to feedback directly to their organisation on their activities.
Logging achievements: Keeping track of hours, length of service and badges all in app.
Community Connection: Emphasise the sense of community they’ll experience by connecting with fellow volunteers through the app.
5. Prepare to troubleshoot
Some of the most common issues we see during the transition into Volunteero is the following:
Lost emails: Volunteers can’t find the welcome email from Volunteero. Sadly this can sometimes end up in the junk inbox. Advise volunteers they can always go to the sign-in page and click ’forgot password’ to get a reset password link. Staff users can also double-check whether an email has bounced to rule out that.
Incorrect passwords: Volunteers can sometimes find getting their password correct on the first go difficult, this is more often than not because of a typo or other slight error. Volunteers can go the ‘forgot password’ route to reset.
Finding the app: Some volunteers might not be used to downloading an app onto their device, nor have the means to do so. You can also promote the web version of the Volunteero app which can be accessed on any browser.
6. Leverage other volunteers
Peer support is most often the best support for getting volunteers up and running on the app.
Pilot volunteers: Before going live you could do a pilot with some enthusiastic volunteers, these people can be invaluable in selling the experience and getting others involved when you go fully live.
Volunteero ambassadors: Leverage your best Volunteero users to share success stories or even offer tech support to other volunteers.
7. Provide Ongoing Support
Transitioning to new technology doesn’t happen overnight. Offer continuous assistance to ensure sustained engagement:
Communication channels: Have a dedicated chat space to share app updates and instructions for any new features.
Set Up a Support System: Assign tech-savvy volunteers or staff members as app ambassadors who can address questions and concerns.
Host Regular Check-Ins: Create opportunities for feedback and address any challenges they’re facing.
Encourage Peer Learning: Pair tech-reluctant volunteers with those who are more comfortable using the app, this can be especially helpful with new features.
8. Be Patient and Celebrate Progress
Adapting to new technology can be a significant adjustment. Patience and positive reinforcement go a long way:
Acknowledge Efforts: Celebrate small wins, like successfully completing a task in the app.
Reassure and Encourage: Remind them that it’s okay to learn at their own pace.
Award Badges: Volunteero's custom badges feature allows you to recognise the achievements of your volunteer teams, these can boost confidence and morale.
Shout about success: Use the chat feature to shout out amazing volunteers and success stories.
Solution mapping
Finally, consider doing some solution mapping unique to your volunteer cohort.
Once you have gathered your expected challenge(s) and the possible causes try and consider methods for overcoming these early on. See below for some examples
Challenge | Solution |
Volunteers are reluctant to download an app | Let them know there is also a web-based version of Volunteero they can use on a browser at www.app.volunteero.org |
Lack of confidence using technology | Put on training sessions Offer Drop-in sessions
|
Concerns about personal data being shared | Share Volunteero's data security information. Reassure them that your organisation is the data owner. |
Volunteers aren't keen on submitting a report | Communicate the importance of logged hours & a space for feedback. Admin time saved for the organisation More accurate insight into the impact of volunteers. |
Volunteers don't want lots of notifications | Show volunteers how to manage notification preferences |
Conclusion:
By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, you can help older and tech-reluctant volunteers embrace the Volunteero app with confidence. Remember, the goal is not just to teach them how to use the app, but to show them how it enhances their ability to make a difference. With time, patience, and encouragement, they’ll become empowered members of your Volunteero community.
If you’d like more guidance, explore additional tips and resources in our Help Centre and as always please don't hesitate to reach out to our team on support@volunteero.org.