The Nonprofit FAQ

Is there software to help with keeping track of volunteers?

Someone wrote to NONPROFIT in January of 1999: > I have a serious problem with the software that has been written for us to > manage our 12,000 annual volunteers. It's a long story.... Jayne Cravens replied: Ouch! Sorry you've had such a traumatic experience with the database package you thought would do what you needed it to do. Did you sign a contract with the person/company that built the software you are using? Were the parameters of what you wanted clearly defined (as they are now at the bottom of your Web site -- very nice) and agreed to in writing? I'm wondering if you have some legal recourse to recover some of your funds. Anyway, you are on the right track to solve this problem. Good for you. I have some suggested parameters for volunteer management software at: http://www.coyotecom.com/database/ This web site also includes links to various online directories of volunteer management software. Should help you in your research of such. You might also contact other organizations in your area and ask them what software they use to manage volunteers and donors, and ask if they would show it to you. Having software demonstrated by a user rather than a vendor can give you a clearer picture of how the product really works. Best of luck to you. Jayne Cravens is the Manager of The Virtual Volunteering Project at the University of Texas at Austin http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/ Posted 1/19/99 -- PB