Disaster Volunteers : Recruiting and Managing People Who Want to Help

Volunteer work can make a difference to those harmed by natural, technological, and human-induced disasters if it is done well. __Disaster Volunteers__ provides readers with information on why people volunteer, the benefits gained by volunteers and recipients, and how to leverage such good will. Learning from a variety of past disasters, readers will gain realistic insights into the challenges of disaster contexts. Equipped with evidence-based best practices, Dr. Phillips organizes and illustrates necessary steps to recruit, train, manage, reward, and retain volunteers throughout the life cycle of disasters. This important resource walks both organizations and individuals through the entire process of volunteer engagement from recruiting and training to managing as well as rewarding and retaining volunteers and provides an engaging and informative set of useful and evidence-based chapters. Disaster Volunteers fills an existing gap in books on volunteer disaster management by incorporating research, generating sound recommendations, grounding ideas in a disaster context, and offering an inviting set of examples from which readers can learn. Front-matter Copyright Contents Biography Foreword Acknowledgments and Dedication 1 Why do people volunteer? Introduction A brief history of disaster volunteering Why people volunteer Benefits of volunteering Community benefits Benefits to volunteers Benefits to recipients Conclusion References Further reading 2 Who manages disaster volunteers? Why manage volunteers? Case examples Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean Tsunami and beyond (2004–2005) Joplin, Missouri, May 22, 2011 Sweden and Australia, Fires, 2009–2014 Terrorism, 2001 to present day Summary Who manages disaster volunteers Self-managed volunteers Community based Non-governmental and disaster organizations Government Professionals Why manage disaster volunteers Tasks for disaster volunteer managers Conclusion References 3 What to expect with volunteers The life cycle of disasters Recovery phase Types of disaster volunteers Unaffiliated volunteers Affiliated volunteers Professional volunteers Survivors as volunteers International disaster volunteers Types of disaster organizations Conclusion References 4 Recruiting and training disaster volunteers Recruiting volunteers The demographics of volunteering Social relationships and social networks Training volunteers Training strategies Legal considerations Safety first Physical safety Psychological safety and volunteering Preparing to serve a diverse community Conclusion References Further reading 5 Managing volunteers at disasters “We Need Help” The volunteer “Family” Managing volunteer efforts Making entry Go kits Messaging with potential volunteers Activating a volunteer reception center Intake Damage and needs assessment Training Safety Transportation Local logistics Interactions among volunteers and locals Debriefing volunteers Rewarding and Recognizing volunteers Conclusion References 6 Managing spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers Introduction Benefits of spontaneous volunteers Challenges of spontaneous volunteers Electronic convergence Managing spontaneous volunteers Retaining spontaneous volunteers Conclusion References Further reading 7 Affiliated disaster volunteers Why join an experienced disaster organization? Organizational types in disasters Why be affiliated? The National VOAD movement Types of disaster organizations Faith-based organizations (FBOs) Civic organizations and civic interests Community organizations active in disaster (COADs) Non-Governmental and International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO, INGO) The private sector Professional organizations Types of affiliated volunteers Unskilled volunteers Skilled volunteers Professional organizational volunteering Conclusion References Further reading 8 Managing international volunteers Introduction The context of international disaster volunteerism How culture influences disaster volunteerism Practical realities and best practices Making entry Health and safety concerns Finding meaningful work Fitting in Establishing partnerships “Invited to gumbo” Conclusion References 9 The benefits of volunteering Introduction The benefits of disaster volunteering For those who serve For those who are served and those who survived For emergency managers and volunteer coordinators For communities that are served Volunteer retention Conclusion References Further reading 10 The future of disaster volunteerism The future of disasters and disaster volunteering Where volunteers will be needed Where volunteers will come from Traditional sources of disaster volunteers Newer sources of disaster volunteers Conclusion Policy Practice Research References Index Volunteer work can make a difference to those harmed by natural, technological, and human-induced disasters if it is done well. Disaster Volunteers provides readers with information on why people volunteer, the benefits gained by volunteers and recipients, and how to leverage such good will. Learning from a variety of past disasters, readers will gain realistic insights into the challenges of disaster contexts. Equipped with evidence-based best practices, Dr. Phillips organizes and illustrates necessary steps to recruit, train, manage, reward, and retain volunteers throughout the life cycle of disasters. This important resource walks both organizations and individuals through the entire process of volunteer engagement from recruiting and training to managing as well as rewarding and retaining volunteers and provides an engaging and informative set of useful and evidence-based chapters. Disaster Volunteers fills an existing gap in books on volunteer disaster management by incorporating research, generating sound recommendations, grounding ideas in a disaster context, and offering an inviting set of examples from which readers can learn. Includes sample materials for use by emergency managers, emergency managers, civic and faith-basedorganizations Provides case studies offering first-hand experiences that help bring the content to life Includes stepwise advice to recruit, train, and retain a diverse set of disaster volunteers