A successful volunteer team is the mainstay of many equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) programs. In an effort to create an educational resource supporting professionals in areas of volunteer management, the PATH Intl. education department has a brief questionnaire inquiring on how program's approach volunteer outreach, selection, training, organizing and supervising. By sharing your successes, common challenges and your most burning questions on how to support a strong volunteer team, you will be helping develop future educational opportunities.

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* 1. What percent of your job is dedicated strictly to volunteer management?

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* 2. Number of years working/volunteering/participating in the EAAT industry

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* 3. Does your center utilize any type of technology in coordination with your volunteer program to track hours, capture applications, etc.?

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* 4. Does your center utilize social media in coordination with your volunteer program?

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* 5. Please rate your confidence in each of the following areas of volunteer management at your center:

  Not at all confident Somewhat confident Confident Extremely Confident
Volunteer applications and pre-screening tools
Volunteer orientations and/or interview processes
Scheduling (including on-call processes)
Continued volunteer training and education opportunities
Volunteer communication, newsletters, etc.
Volunteer involvement outside of class (fundraisers, special events, etc.)
Volunteer retention and appreciation

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* 6. How do you primarily offer your volunteer applications to interested individuals?

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* 7. Which of the following do you most often use to get new volunteers started?

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* 8. How often do you schedule volunteers?

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* 9. What method do you use to collect volunteer schedules?

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* 10. How often do you use volunteer training or continued education opportunities?

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* 11. How do you primarily collect ideas for volunteer trainings or continued education opportunities?

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* 12. Do you currently level volunteers in your program into certain roles (e.g., leader, sidewalker 1, sidewalker 2, barn, etc.)

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* 13. Do you offer any mandatory volunteer training outside of an initial orientation attendance?

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* 14. What do you use as your primary method of volunteer communication?

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* 15. Do you currently send and/or post a volunteer 'newsletter' on a regular basis?

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* 16. How would you rate your volunteer involvement in special events, fundraisers, etc.?

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* 17. How would you rate your level of volunteer retention?

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* 18. How would you rate your level of volunteer appreciation?

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* 19. What is the primary method of volunteer recruitment for your center?

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* 20. Does your program have a volunteer handbook?

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* 21. Thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire! If you would like the option to enter for a chance to win 1 of 2 equine care packages, please share your name and email address. Two names will be drawn at random and winners will be notified by email.

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