Performance Appraisals for Literacy Volunteers

Performance appraisals for volunteers are important. They provide the volunteer with acknowledgement and appreciation for their work. If problem areas exist, needed adjustments, supports and / or training can be provided. Overall, volunteers’ confidence in their ability to do their job should be increased as a result of the process. Performance appraisals should also provide organizations with important information that they can use to improve their volunteer program.

Volunteers should receive a written evaluation from their supervisor (Program Coordinator, Student-Tutor Coordinator or Executive Director). The volunteer should have the opportunity for self-assessment and open communication about their performance and needs.

As volunteers are an integral part of an organization’s human resource team, many similarities to staff appraisals exist. Volunteer appraisals should occur annually and could cover the same areas as a staff performance appraisal (as overviewed on page 1). However, the following questions could also be asked:

• To best fulfill your role, do you need any additional information and training?
• Are you happy with your current volunteer assignment?
• Are there other areas where you would like to volunteer in our agency?
• What is the best experience you have had while volunteering with us?
• What changes would you like to see in our volunteer program?
• How can we further support you as a volunteer?

Performance Appraisals for Boards of Directors of Literacy Agencies

Performance appraisals for boards are usually conducted by self-assessment of individual and group performance and needs. Often, board performance appraisals occur much less often than staff or volunteer appraisals, if at all. However, having the board conduct a self-assessment can be a wonderful tool for increasing board performance AND satisfaction. Boards could consider setting up an annual process where board members individually answer the following questions, then discuss the results in a group format (or just give their individual assessments to the chair if the issues are too difficult to discuss in a group format).

Board members could ask themselves some or all of the following questions:

• Are board members committed to the literacy agency, its mission and programs?
• Do board members feel respected and valued by their literacy agency?
• Do board members understand their roles and responsibilities?
• Do board members fulfill their responsibilities and provide proper governance and oversight?
• Do board members receive enough training and information?
• Are board and committee meetings effective?
• Is there good attendance at board and committee meetings?
• Does the board function well, and have mutual respect and teamwork?
• Is the board representative of the community its serves?
• Do board members have all of the needed skill sets?
• What is the best thing about being on this board?
• What is the greatest area of improvement for this board?
• What major goal would each board member like to see the board address in the coming year?