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Volunteer Coordinator Resources
Volunteer coordinators play an essential role in literacy organizations. By sharing resources and learning from the experiences of others, they have the opportunity to create programming that strengthens communities and changes lives.
Literacy Minnesota supports volunteer coordinators in this effort by providing networking opportunities, useful resources and creating an arena to collaborate.
Resources for Leaders of Volunteers
Our Network of Volunteer Literacy Programs supports volunteers and volunteer coordinators at adult literacy programs in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Benefits of membership include:
- Volunteer recruitment, referrals and support
- Volunteer training, including:
- Pre-service Trainings and free Equity, Culture and Teaching Workshops
- Online trainings
- Customized on-site trainings at your program
- Mini-conferences for volunteers each fall and spring
- Student referrals through the Adult Literacy Hotline
- Resources for volunteer coordinators, including:
- Volunteer coordinator trainings and events
- Annual Literacy Volunteer Management Conference
- Access to the online Volunteer Management Handbook with information and resources for supporting volunteers
- Ongoing technology training and support
- Resources for volunteers, including
- Tutor tips and other teaching resources
Members agree to:
- Maintain detailed records of volunteers and the learners they serve
- Submit the Literacy Minnesota Annual Volunteer Information Report at the end of the program year
- Designate a volunteer coordinator and notify Literacy Minnesota if changes occur
- Recruit, screen and place volunteers (suggested best practices may be found in the Volunteer Management Handbook)
- Refer volunteers to trainings offered by Literacy Minnesota
- Provide appropriate tutoring or teaching resources to guide volunteers in their work
- Support volunteers through activities such as feedback sessions, scheduled observations and/or check-ins
- Implement volunteer risk management policies that support the well-being and safety of volunteers, staff and learners
- Recognize volunteers through ongoing gestures of appreciation for their work
- Refrain from proselytizing during classroom or tutoring time
- Provide equal opportunities, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or marital status
for more information or to Become A Member:
Contact Sophie Phan at sphan@literacymn.org or 651-251-9063.
Questions about the Children's Literacy Program Network?
Contact Kelly Rynda at krynda@literacymn.org or 651-251-9074.
Members of Literacy Minnesota's Network of Adult Volunteer Literacy Programs submit the Volunteer Information Report each year as a requirement of membership. Their submissions are compiled by Literacy Minnesota to document the valuable contributions volunteers make to adult literacy each year. The involvement of volunteers demonstrates that adult literacy is important to the community and Minnesotans are willing to invest in education. Because of their efforts, adult learners receive the individualized help they need to be successful. We are truly fortunate to live in a state where the community has made such a commitment to adult literacy.
2021-2022 Program Year Summary:
- 45 adult literacy consortia completed the report.
- 1,544 volunteers served in adult literacy programs statewide and contributed 62,696 volunteer hours.
- Volunteers helped 12,236 learners work toward their educational goals.
- Read the 2021-2022 Volunteer Information Report Summary.
Thanks to the many coordinators and staff who support volunteers statewide for completing the annual report. Because of your dedication and expertise in engaging volunteers, we can all celebrate the value of volunteerism and the positive impact it has on adult learners.
For questions or more information about the report:
Contact Sophie Phan at sphan@literacymn.org or 651-251-9063.
Stay tuned for next year's conference!
The Literacy Volunteer Management Conference (VMC) is for K-12 or Adult Basic Education staff who work with volunteers: teachers, coordinators, managers and support staff. Choose from 12 concurrent sessions that offer multiple ways volunteers and program staff can work collaboratively to ensure student success. Gain fresh ideas, resources and tools for engaging volunteers in the classroom and learn strategies for integrating volunteers into your program to meet all kinds of learner needs. Participants earn 4.5 CEUs.
Conference Schedule
8:30-9 a.m. | Kickoff and awards ceremony
9:15-10:15 a.m. | Concurrent sessions
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Concurrent sessions
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Lunch break
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Concurrent sessions
1:45-2:45 p.m. | Concurrent sessions
Check back soon for session descriptions!
For Questions about the Conference:
Contact Sophie Phan at sphan@literacymn.org or 651-251-9063.
Recognize the unique contributions of a teacher, coordinator, support staff or manager!
Literacy Minnesota values the outstanding individuals for significant contributions to the literacy community through the integration of volunteers. The Award for Excellence in Volunteer Engagement honors a professional in the field of literacy who demonstrates vision, diligence and commitment to integrating volunteers into literacy programs.
Strong candidates are literacy professionals who:
- Have made a significant contribution to furthering a culture and climate that is supportive of volunteers;
- Have developed or improved an outstanding volunteer program that incorporates the essential elements of leading volunteers; OR have developed creative ways to solve classroom challenges through volunteer engagement;
- Are currently employed in a literacy or education program or have provided service within the past year; and
- Plan to attend the Literacy Volunteer Management Conference.
Questions? Contact Sophie at sphan@literacymn.org or 651-251-9063.
Literacy Minnesota believes volunteers are vital to the success of students and literacy programs. To fully engage them as partners in education, we encourage volunteer coordinators to use the following resources. These tools were first developed by Literacy Minnesota staff and members of our Volunteer Literacy Program Network. They have been updated and revised in collaboration with the Volunteer Engagement Committee of Literacy Action Network.
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