Group Project Ideas & Working With Volunteer Groups

Before working with any group, it is important to keep the following in mind for anything:

• Never assume anything.
• Have open communications with the lead of the volunteer group.
• Set a specific time frame
• Provide a written job description
• Explain your mission and how project supports it.
• Review risk management issues and have them sign appropriate waivers like photo releases, liability, etc.
• Specify supplies you need them to bring to fulfill or make sure you provide things like trash bags, gloves, etc.
• Are you expected to supply refreshments?

The following list is provided as an aid to brainstorming your project ideas. Obviously some are easier than others or may need more forethought and planning before taking on.

Kit Assembly – Easy to accommodate just about any size group. It can even be done off site, at an alternate location if your facility can not accommodate the number of people participating. Kits can consist of back to school supplies like notebooks, pencils, erasers, rulers, stickers, crayons, calculators, etc.; hygiene supplies (tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, hand towels and face cloths, deodorant, comb & brush, shampoo, etc.); first-aid and emergency supplies like batteries, flashlights, water bottles and more. If you don't have the supplies ask th ebusiness/group to provide them by either purchasing them or sponsoring a donation drive through their work place.

Extreme Make Over - Nonprofit Edition - Clean out storgae areas and turn them into office space, a library, or just plain ORGANIZE it! Paint walls, bathrooms, and halls. Shampoo carpets, refinish furniture, wash windows, landscape the grounds, have a yard sale or just finally dispose of the endless stacks of boxes, files and broken furniture or unuseable computers......again ask business for supplies if you just can't manage them yourself.

Food Baskets – Not just for holidays and can include everyday, nonperishable staples like pastas, soups, condiments, sauces, canned fruits, rice, etc. Also good for this is nutritional information and recipes that can be made from the food items provided.

Clothing Collection and/or Sorting – whether it’s your regular assortment of donated items to your clothes closet service or something special like packages of new socks, underwear, hats, gloves, etc. This is something that can be done in two stages. Have group organize a drive for the items then come and sort into sizes and categories.

Grounds Keeping - Weeding, raking, mowing, fence painting, plant flowers and trees, path clearing, trail blazing and general garbage pick-up

Thoughts in Bloom – Create flower or vegetable gardens at shelters, group homes, nursing homes, assisted living sites. Install bird feeders and a bench or two for residents to enjoy. These gardens can also be educational opportunities for residents to learn about the environment, nutrition, etc.

Game Day Challenge/Buddy Project- Great for summer camps; boys & girls clubs serving inner city/underserved populations – “teams” from local businesses come and play basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. with youth participating in program; perhaps teams are divided into areas of instruction /programming like arts and crafts, drama, sports, reading and members become a buddy for a day and offer one-on-one support. This is not a project to relieve camp or program staff of their regular duties but to supplement them as a treat for all involved.

Friendly Visitors – Nursing homes, senior centers, daycares, assisted living facilities and hospitals. Participants can offer entertainment like singing, dancing, putting on a show, play board games, cards, checkers, etc.

Beach and Park Clean-up - Self explanatory. Keep track of pounds or number of bags collected. Businesses like numbers! Maybe offer an Adopt-a-Spot (beach, park) option and have them return quarterly to keep connection going.

Playground Revitalization- Repair black-top, repair and paint bleachers, backstops and other equipment

Neighborhood revitalization/clean-up - Clean vacant lots, collect trash, plant trees/flowers remove graffiti, cleaned vacant lots, and planted flowers and trees throughout a town/city area. They also

Co-Sponsor a project by partnering with a local neighborhood group, the parks and recreation department of the city or town. This will help raise awareness of your organization, not only for your mission but as being true part of the community.