Association of Volunteer Managers
Study by the Association of Volunteer Managers and Agenda Consulting will enable organisations to assess their performance against those of their peers
The Association of Volunteer Managers and Agenda Consulting have launched a benchmarking study that will enable charities to measure the performance of their volunteers and volunteer management against their peers.
So far more than 80 organisations, including NHS trusts, police authorities and charities such as Diabetes UK and St John Ambulance, have agreed to take part.
Participants will submit data about their volunteering functions by the end of next month.
Agenda Consulting, a consulting and benchmarking company based in Oxford, will then compare performance in areas such as the profile of volunteers, performance management and learning and development. The results will be published in November.
Roger Parry, director of Agenda Consulting, said the study will help organisations "identify areas where they are lagging behind other organisations and areas where urgent action is needed to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency".
It costs AVM members £490 plus VAT to participate in the project. Non-members pay £590 plus VAT.
Nikki Squelch, a director at the AVM, said: "Volunteer management is a critical success factor for organisations, and benchmarking is vital for any organisation wishing to compare their practices with their peers in the sector."
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is holding an information session about the study on 21 September.
