So, you've now got your very own Volunteero staff dashboard! This is the really exciting stage of adopting Volunteero.
In between customising all the areas of your management dashboard we really recommend testing out all of the features before you go live with your volunteers and the rest of your team (where applicable)
Here are some suggestions that we've found to be super helpful:
Set yourself up as a volunteer
So you find yourself wanting to understand how it looks from a volunteer's perspective? See how a volunteer sees it?
We would always recommend that as a staff user, you also have a volunteer account. Start by adding yourself as a volunteer and opening an app account. You will get a welcome email sent to you to download the app and get started as a volunteer. We find it easier just to use the web app and switch between the management dashboard and the volunteer app on your computer. Please note the different URLs below.
Management Dashboard https://manage.volunteero.org/
Volunteer App https://app.volunteero.org/
There is no harm in using the same email address as you use for your staff account. The only thing you will notice is that there is no password on your welcome email. Your password will be the same one you use for the management dashboard.
Checklist of test to run
Missions
Create a mission in the management dashboard
View it in the volunteer app
Accept or request the mission in the volunteer app
Submit a report in the volunteer app
View the mission in the management dashboard (Check reports, interested volunteers, the activity log etc)
View the reports in the management dashboard
Mission template
Using the mission you created above, go and find that mission template
Make a change in the options e.g. turn off/on location
Refresh the volunteer app
View the mission again in the volunteer app
Notice how it changes
Report template
Create a customised report template
Get creative with question types and formats
Link your test report template to a mission template
Go into your app and see how the report template questions change on your 'volunteer account'
Safeguarding flags
Using the same mission as above, submit a report in the volunteer app
Make sure to check one of the options in the report
Action required
Concern for wellbeing
You should receive a notification by email and see this report being flagged in the management dashboard with "Action required"
We would even recommend assigning it, changing the status and leaving comments in the management dashboard
Groups
Create a mission in the management dashboard
View it in the volunteer app
Now change it to a group the mission is in on the management dashboard, ensure it is a group that your volunteer profile is not tagged with
Now refresh the volunteer app, and notice you will no longer see that mission
Expenses
Create a mission in the management dashboard
Ensure the mission template has the "Receipts" option turned on
View it in the volunteer app
Accept or request the mission in the volunteer app
Submit a report in the volunteer app
Check the box for receipts
Submit a receipt and enter the relevant details and upload a file
View the receipts section in the management dashboard
Pilot volunteers
Now you're feeling all confident with Volunteero you may wish to test further with a small group of your 'super volunteers'. Bonus, if those volunteers are happy to be patient with you, give feedback and become ambassadors to other volunteers when you go live!
If any of these tests do not produce the results you expect or you have any questions at all, please get in touch and one of the team will be happy to help 😊