Before you dive into the opportunities feature, there are just a couple of quick steps to tick off. Doing these will help make sure everything runs smoothly for you and your prospective volunteers!
Jump to sections:
✅ Volunteer registration form
This first step is essential; you won’t be able to use the opportunities feature without it.
You’ll need an active ‘Volunteer registration’ form. Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be your full application form; it could simply be an enquiry form or whatever works best for your organisation. If you don’t already have one set up, we recommend starting there. You can find more information on creating forms here.
✅ Enable Application tracking
Enable application tracking on your volunteer forms in the individual form settings section. This will come in handy later on.
✅ Organisational information
The opportunities feature will pull through your organisation’s information into the role advert. So it’s best practice that this information, along with your organisation's logo, is completed in your system settings. More information on getting this set up here.
Got these ticked off?
Let’s get started!
Create an opportunity 🚀
Click into the opportunities section on the left-hand side of your staff dashboard, and click '+ Opportunity'
Give your opportunity a name, using the role name or something that will pique the interest of volunteers, is a good place to start.
Now, let's get that Opportunity advertised!
Opportunity Description
Make your opportunity stand out with an eye-catching banner image at the top.
Use the description to really sell the role, share what makes it exciting, and why volunteers should get involved. You can also include key details like requirements, time commitments, location, benefits, and who the main contact is.
Take some time to craft this section carefully, it’s often the first impression someone will get of your organisation, so don’t undersell your cause or the amazing difference your volunteers can make!
💡 Tip: The rich text boxes let you format with bold, italics, underline, bullet points, and even images. Get creative and make your opportunity shine! We have a dedicated 'Opportunities Glow Up Guide' where we provide tips and tricks to make your listings stand out and turn browsers into eager applicants!
(Need help adding an image, this guide should help)
Practical information for your opportunity
Link a registration form to your opportunity
Choose which registration form you would like to link with this particular opportunity. If you have more than one form in place on Volunteero, then these will drop down as different options for you to select from.
Note, without a live registration form, you won’t be able to publish an opportunity.
Add in a closing date (if applicable)
Select preferred skills from a drop-down list. This will help volunteers to find your opportunity!
Is your opportunity remote, in person, or hybrid? Select the most appropriate.
Publish your opportunity
Choose to publish your opportunity on:
Volunteero app
Anyone can now download Volunteero and search for opportunities. If you choose to list your opportunity on the app, then prospective volunteers can find you this way!
Search Board
Creates a unique link where you can advertise your current opportunities on your website. Additionally, these unique links can also be used privately for reviewing opportunities internally. You can share the link with team members to gather feedback before making opportunities live.
There is also a global Volunteero search board of opportunities.This feature allows you to advertise your roles to prospective volunteers!
Utlise the preview option to view how an opportunity will appear to volunteers while keeping it private for sharing among colleagues for feedback.
Both the app and the search board
Cast your net even further by advertising on both!
Your Opportunities search board
Your organisation will have a unique URL which you can use to publish your opportunities directly to. Simply copy this URL link to share with your networks or embed it into your website
Customise this URL link (Public ID) in the 'Organisation' section of the settings area on the dashboard.
Read our guide on Custom branding settings here.For detailed guidance on private sharing, check our new section on using the Search Board for internal reviews.
How Can I Use the Search Board to Share Opportunities for Review Before They Go Live?
When managing volunteer opportunities in Volunteero, you might want to allow a colleague to review these opportunities before making them live to volunteers. Using the Search Board is an effective way to facilitate this process. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you understand and use this feature.
What is the Search Board?
The Search Board in Volunteero account is your dedicated space for publishing your volunteering opportunities.
Each organisation has their own unique search board URL. Once you're ready to launch Volunteero for recruitment purposes, you can add this URL to your website, social media pages and wherever you promote your organisation's volunteering roles.
How to Use the Search Board for Testing and Reviewing Opportunities
If you would prefer to test out this feature before launching, you can publish opportunities to your search board before it's linked on your website. This will allow you to view it as your prospective volunteers would, and test your application process without being live yet.
This feature is particularly useful for internal reviews or private sharing with colleagues.
Step 1: Publish to the Search Board Only
Navigate to the publishing options for your opportunity.
Select the Search Board as the publishing destination to ensure the opportunity remains private.
Avoid sharing the Search Board link on public platforms (e.g., your website or social media).
By keeping the link private, you ensure only designated reviewers can access the preview. Opportunities only become fully live when shared publicly or on the Volunteero App.
Step 2: Locate the Search Board Link To share an opportunity for review, follow these steps to find the Search Board link:
Go to Opportunities in the Volunteero dashboard.
Click on Publishing Info for the specific opportunity.
Copy the Search Board link provided.
This link provides a preview of the opportunity as it would appear to volunteers.
Step 3: Share the Link Privately
Share the copied Search Board link with your colleague via email or a private messaging platform.
Request feedback and make any necessary revisions to the opportunity before publishing it fully.
Best Practices for Keeping Opportunities Private
Avoid Public Sharing: Do not post the Search Board link on channels accessible to the general public (e.g., social media).
Use for Review Only: Treat the Search Board solely as a tool for internal reviews or previews.
Double-Check Publishing Settings: Ensure the opportunity is eventually published on the Volunteero App or as intended after final approvals.
By utilising the Search Board responsibly, you can streamline the review process while maintaining control over when opportunities go live.
Manage submissions to opportunities
Manage your volunteer submissions as usual, using your customised processes and organisational onboarding journey. More information on managing submissions is in this article.
Application Tracking
You can ensure that your potential volunteers have the best experience with your application process by updating them on the status of their applications. Use the text box to provide them with an update or let them know you still need something from them in order to progress.
You can also add an estimated date for when the application process may be completed. This will ensure that the expectations of the volunteers are well-managed!
Please note: You can only update a volunteer on their application through ‘application tracking’ if they’ve subscribed to email notifications (see screenshot below). Because of GDPR, we can’t automatically opt volunteers in, so we recommend adding a short reminder at the end of your application form, encouraging them to subscribe. That way, you’ll be able to keep them updated on their progress. If they don’t subscribe, you’ll need to reach out using another method. Applications submitted through the app will automatically receive updates on their progress.
Note: this is different from the application ‘process’ which you have customised and is internal only.
Video Tutorial
Now go forth and recruit!
If you need any more help with this function, please use the support button in your Staff Dashboard or email us support@volunteero.org. Our team will be happy to help!😊