Leadership Volunteering Sponsored story Social Affairs

Featured Leader: Ayden Shaw on Rosterfy’s Efficient Volunteering Management System

Menchie Khairuddin February 27, 2024

3 min read

Nonprofits frequently struggle to effectively manage and engage with volunteers in the ever-changing field of volunteer management. With Rosterfy’s efficient volunteering software, Disability Sports Australia (DSA) has transformed the way they engage with their volunteers.

Ayden Shaw, General Manager of Disability Sports Australia, highlighted the initial struggles the nonprofit faced in managing its volunteer program. “Number one challenge was we’re a very small nonprofit, and with only five people running our program we were struggling to deliver the volunteer program that we wanted for our volunteers,” explained Shaw.

As DSA scaled, the manual process of screening volunteers one-on-one was no longer sustainable. Add to that, a growing events calendar with 70 events annually requiring 500 volunteers made DSA realise they needed to invest in technology to help them work more effectively.

Streamlining Volunteer Screening: A “Game-Changer” for DSA

With multiple events, requiring unique sets of skills and dedicated training, DSA was looking for a solution to help screen their volunteers without the need to bring on additional internal resources.

Shaw explained, “A lot of core business time is being spent by staff on trying to screen volunteers, and the problem was that because we didn’t have any processes or procedures beyond a spreadsheet, we didn’t really have the ability to know how our volunteer program was going or not going.”

Rosterfy’s platform addressed this challenge by providing a centralised hub for volunteer management. Through a central volunteer portal, DSA volunteers can now access multiple volunteer opportunities and track their progress all from one place – a “game changer’ for maximising efficiency and engagement.

Tailoring the Volunteer Journey: Positive Feedback from Regular Volunteers

Shaw emphasised the positive feedback received during the implementation phase from regular volunteers. “Rosterfy has got a structure; it’s not just 10 emails that come out of the blue. It’s not just a manual call that they get the day before. They’re able to really tailor and personalise what their volunteer journey is.”

Beyond Volunteer Events: Managing Student Placements and Internships

Shaw also highlighted the versatility of Rosterfy’s platform, extending beyond event volunteers to manage student placements and internships efficiently. “Having that ability to manage [internships] through the platform as well, that’s a game-changer because otherwise, we’re getting a lot of one ad hoc inquiries.”

Data-Driven Volunteer Engagement: Insights for Continuous Improvement

Rosterfy’s reporting and analytics tools were applauded by Shaw, providing valuable insights into volunteer performance, attendance, and satisfaction. “It’s building us a structure on how we engage volunteers, where there’s a life cycle of volunteers from recruitment or retention, and then trying to keep those volunteers engaged.”

Cybersecurity Assurance: A Secure Home for Volunteer Information

Shaw also emphasises the critical aspect of cybersecurity, an often-overlooked element in volunteer management. “We know that sport is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. [Rosterfy] spoke about how they set up their servers, that our information is fully secure and our data is hosted locally.”

Rosterfy’s efficient volunteering management software has not only streamlined DSA’s volunteer coordination but has also empowered them to focus on their core mission.

Ayden Shaw’s positive endorsement underscores the platform’s adaptability, efficiency, and the peace of mind it provides in terms of cybersecurity.

“Anything that we can do that can reduce the time and allow us to focus on what we’re here to do is, is a really positive thing,” said Shaw.

For any organisation navigating the complexities of volunteer management, Rosterfy proves to be an invaluable ally, offering a comprehensive solution that goes beyond traditional volunteer management.

To learn more about Rosterfy’s volunteer management technology, learn more via their website or contact them directly to request a demo.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.